Marc Verhage Awarded the NASA OPLM
Tuesday, 12 April 2022.
Marc Verhage is one of three recipients to be awarded the NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal (OPLM) during the 2021 Agency Annual Honor Awards virtual ceremony aired on Marshall Space Flight Center’s YouTube channel on April 12, 2022.
This prestigious NASA recognition is awarded to non-government individuals or to an individual who was not a government employee or government contractor employee during the period in which the accomplishment was achieved for notable leadership accomplishments that have significantly influenced the NASA Mission. Sustained leadership and exceptionally high-impact leadership achievement should demonstrate the individual’s effectiveness in advancing the Agency’s goals and image in present and future terms.
Marc Verhage was nominated and selected for this award based on his exceptional leadership and contributions to the Space Launch System Stages Element Systems Ground and Mission Operations Team in leadership and management of flight hardware moves. His contributions also met the following criteria for the OPLM:
- Achieving Results – Highly effective in achieving positive results/change.
- Role Model – Consistent and exemplary behavior that models NASA’s core values and promotes these values within the Agency.
- Leading People – Cooperative collaboration and teamwork across the organizational, directorate, Agency, Government or industry level to accomplish expected results.
- Influencing Change – Innovative approaches used in the conception, design, or execution of projects, programs, initiatives, and activities (work represents a high degree of creativity or fundamental departure from usual practice).
Marc expresses, “I am truly blessed and honored to receive one of NASA’s top awards for the work I accomplished in the past 6 years with SLS Stages Transportation and Logistics of Space Flight Hardware to and from Marshall Space Flight Center, Michoud Assembly Facility, Stennis Space Center and Kennedy Space Center. This NASA SLS transportation and logistics team effort resulted in a beast of a Artemis SLS Rocket currently at the KSC Pad 39B getting ready for launch.”
