Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft, NAVAIR Patuxent River, MD - The 2004 “Ned Conger” F/A-18 Distinguished Service Award was recently presented to this years recipient Mr. Tony Parasida of the Boeing Company. Mr. Parasida is the former Boeing F/A-18 Program Manager.

The ‘Conger Award’, as it is known, is presented by the NAVAIR F/A-18 Program Manager to someone who best exemplifies a long term commitment and dedication to the success of the F/A-18 Program.

In presenting the award NAVAIR F/A-18 Program Manager Capt BD Gaddis commented, “I can’t say enough about the F/A-18 and the course you set it on. You epitomize the word ‘partner’. From the multi-year procurement, to the EA-18G, sustainment, first deployment, AESA and ATFLIR… you talk ‘performance-better-than-plan’. You absolutely live that phrase and are very deserving of this award.”

Parasida was flattered in being chosen to receive this years award and his comments related to how he wished the entire F/A-18 team could be the recipient, “It’s an amazing [F/A-18] team and they made my job easy.”

Capt Gaddis presented the award at the Boeing St Louis offices in the presence of Tony Parasida’s former Industry and Navy leadership team who applauded the selection. Past winners included inaugural award winner Mr. Ned Conger (2000), Mr. Bill Stussie (2001), Mr. Pat McLaughlin (2002) and Mr. Craig Fuesel (2003).

For more information pertaining to the F/A-18 program please contact Denise Deon Wilson, Public Affairs Officer for PEO-T at 301-481-6263 or [email protected].

# # #

Caption: NAVAIR F/A-18 Program Manager Capt BD Gaddis presents the 2004 “Ned Conger” F/A-18 Distinguished Service Award to Mr. Tony Parasida of the Boeing Company.