2010 Distinguished Service Award

Presented to: Dr. Mikel M. Miller

Citation: In grateful recognition of his leadership and achievements on behalf of The Institute.

Dr. Miller has served as ION president from January 2009 – January 2011. His term of office has been characterized by expansion and outreach. Outreach initiatives have included the origination of the ION's Mini Urban Challenge (the ION's autonomous robotics high school competition dedicated to developing the next generation work force by promoting science, technology, engineering and math – now in it's third year); continued support for the ION's Robotic Lawn Mower Competition (graduate level competition); funding for the Graduate Student Awards Program; and support of the ION's Satellite Navigation Science and Technology for Africa Workshop.

Dr. Miller has also used his position to encourage cooperation among other related PNT organizations with goals and objectives similar to those of the ION. This included ION partnering with the Joint Services Data Exchange (JSDE) to co-sponsorship of the Joint Navigation Conference and the ION's continued co-sponsorship of the IEEE/ION PLANS conference. Additionally, Dr. Miller has served as the technical organizer of several other special workshops on bio-navigation and miniature autonomous systems; has voluntarily taught technical tutorials at ION conferences and workshops; and has represented the ION in several international navigation forums bringing greater recognition and visibility to the Institute.

As a charismatic leader, and champion of ION membership, the Institute experienced a 40% increase in membership over his two year term as Mikel diligently recruited new members in public forums and supported the ION National Office's retention and recruitment efforts.

Prior to his term as president Mikel served on the ION Executive Committee and ION Council. He is a past technical program chair and general chair for several ION conferences, including the ION GNSS International Technical Meeting. He is an ION Fellow.