The Institute’s 12th Navigator Awards ceremony marked the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the Potomac Institute. Past honorees include General Alfred Gray, Jr., former Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, (2000); General Keith Alexander, USA, former Director of the National Security Agency, (2006); Elon Musk, CEO of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and CEO of Tesla Motors, (2010); Congressman Mike Rogers, former Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (2012); and James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence (2012).

The Potomac Institute’s Navigator Awards recognize individuals who have sought bold solutions to national challenges. These leaders – hailing from Congress, the Administration, and the private sector – have striven to improve science and technology policy throughout their careers. They not only work to diagnose the problems of today, but also actively address the demands of the future, allowing our country to operate from a position of confidence, preparedness, and strength. The 2015 Navigator Awardees: The Honorable Mac Thornberry, The Honorable Alan Shaffer, and Dr. David Brin.

The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies was pleased to host the 11th Navigator Awards Dinner on June 21, 2012, recognizing the achievements of The Honorable James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence;  Congressman Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and Mr. Abe Karem, Founder and President of Karem Aircraft.  Click below to watch video of the event.

2001 Navigator Award Winners

Legislative Branch Awardee: Senator Jeff Bingaman - United States Senator, New Mexico

Executive Branch Awardee: Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II - President, National Defense University

Private Sector Awardee: Dr. Joseph V. Braddock - Founder, BDM

The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is pleased to announce that four of the nation's leading innovators in the area of science and technology received Navigator Awards at a banquet at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC, October 21.  The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies' Navigator Awards are traditionally presented to members of Congress and to representatives of the executive branch, industry and academia in recognition of their distinguished contributions in the arena of science and technology. The Navigator Award is named as a tribute to those leaders in science and technology who act as pathfinders in the pursuit of knowledge.

This year's awardees are: Arden L. Bement, Jr., PhD, former Director of the National Science Foundation; Jeffrey Wadsworth, PhD, President and CEO of the Battelle Memorial Foundation;  Elon Musk,  CEO/CTO of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and CEO and Product Architect of Tesla Motors;  and Gerald Edelman, MD, PhD, Director of The Neurosciences Institute, President of Neurosciences Research Foundation, and a Nobel laureate (1972 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine).  See below for bios and photos of this year's winners.

2002 Navigator Award Winners:

Legislative Branch Awardee: The Honorable Pat Roberts - U.S. Senator, Kansas

Legislative Branch Awardee: The Honorable Tom Davis - U.S. Congressman, Virginia

Executive Branch Awardee: Dr. Rita Colwell - Director, National Science Foundation (NSF)

Private Sector Awardee: Mr. Gilman Louie - President and Chief Executive Officer, In-Q-Tel