JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- An information technology specialist from Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst received a 2020 Modern-Day Technology Leader award at the 34th Annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) conference Feb. 14 in Washington, D.C.
BEYA recognized Richard ‘Ricky’ Moore, an IT specialist supporting the Joint Strike Fighter program, for his more than 20-year naval career in the IT field.
“Ricky has proven himself as an excellent team member of the Joint Strike Fighter Program, as well as a dedicated and driven professional who values hard work, community service and family,” said Kathleen Donnelly, NAWCAD Lakehurst executive director.
Moore conducts cyber assessments of support equipment for the F-35C Lightning II, ensuring equipment is safe to connect to the aircraft.
“Naval aviation technology is constantly evolving, and we’re making it safer so that there’s less outside interference that can cause damage to it,” Moore said.
Moore graduated Stockton College in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in information systems. After taking a customer service job after college, he quickly realized IT was the career for him.
“I like the fact that it’s constantly changing; it’s not a stagnant career,” Moore said. “You’ve got to continually learn, and you’re continually seeing new things coming.”
Moore’s Navy career started in 1998 as a contractor working desktop support. He held positions as a Navy and Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) representative and the NMCI base operations manager for Lakehurst and several New Jersey locations.
Seeking a new challenge, he came on board as a government civilian in his current position supporting JSF in 2017.
“I’m learning so much and have such a great group of people that I’m working under,” Moore said. “They’re a plethora of knowledge.”
Outside of work, Moore spends time with his family and volunteers with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Ocean County, an organization that trains citizens to be advocates for neglected and abused children who are in foster care.
“It’s nice to be recognized for the number of years that I’ve put into this field,” he said. “I’m not one to have the spotlight on them and I’m not a talkative person, but this feels good. It’s greatly appreciated.”