NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PATUXENT RIVER, Md -- When engineers and scientists were inducted into the NAVAIR Fellows program last week, the Chief Technology Officer for the Naval Aviation Enterprise was the only original Esteemed Fellow attending. He also served as emcee.

Dr. James Sheehy began his career as a Navy scientist in 1985 in the Vision Laboratory.

“I am the only remaining original Esteemed Fellow,” he said in a recent interview. “Everyone else was smart enough to retire,” he added jokingly.

As one of four Esteemed Fellows inducted in 2000 when the program first began, Dr. Sheehy and Drs. Larry Stoll and Bob Smith, and Tom Lawrence were given the task of establishing the architecture of the program.

His early research in optics focused on determining retinal laser damage thresholds that supported the development of laser protective eyewear.

He moved from director of the Vision Laboratory in 1987 after being selected as chief scientist of the Human Systems Department for the Aircraft Division in 1996. There he was responsible for all protective clothing and devices ranging from life support to protective clothing and restraint systems to Helmet Mounted Displays.

Former NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. James Dyer started the Fellows program to honor engineers and scientists for their efforts, contributions and accomplishments that are “instrumental in maintaining the outstanding professional reputation for which the NAVAIR engineering and scientific ranks are noted and sought after,” according to the NAVAIR Fellows Guidebook.

The Fellows program began as the NAVAIR Research and Engineering Fellows Program.

“We later opened it up and renamed it ‘NAVAIR Fellows’ so engineers and scientists from competencies outside of 4.0 and 5.0 could compete for selection and be recognized for their areas of expertise,” Dr. Sheehy said.

After the first four Esteemed Fellows were selected, they got together every couple weeks and gradually built the program along with the selection criteria and levels as defined in the guidebook, Dr. Sheehy said.

In even-numbered years, we select Fellows. In odd-numbered years, we select Associate Fellows.

“We grew it in a very structured manner, and we had some strict guide rules,” Dr. Sheehy said.

Associate Fellows are not to exceed 3 percent of the engineering population and have a minimum of 10 years experience working for NAVAIR. Last year, 42 associate Fellows were inducted.

The full Fellow is limited to the top .75 percent of the engineering population on hand and must have at least 15 years of experience with international recognition. The Esteemed Fellow is selected from the ranks of the full Fellows and is limited to the top .25 percent of the engineering population.

Esteemed Fellows have a continuous record of distinguished technical contributions and accomplishments prior to becoming and while serving as a NAVAIR Fellow. Selection to this level is based on a majority vote of current NAVAIR Esteemed Fellows participating in the selection meeting.