David Sarnoff Award
The David Sarnoff Award is AFCEA’s most prestigious award, established to recognize individuals who have made lasting and significant contributions to global peace and security. Each recipient in his or her unique way has demonstrated a sustained and personal commitment to information sharing and collaboration across traditional and nontraditional boundaries.
AFCEA established the David Sarnoff Award in recognition of lasting and significant contributions to world peace. Recipients are marked by a sustained and personal commitment to communications, electronics and information technology, and in particular their role toward a stronger, more secure tomorrow.
The Award's namesake, David Sarnoff, exemplifies those great individuals whose work and sacrifice form the backbone of America. An entrepreneur from the start, he delivered newspapers to spread the word of the day. An early pioneer in radio, Sarnoff quickly rose to prominence in the newly developing American telecommunications industry. During World War II, he witnessed first-hand how talk and cooperation between government and industry in times of peace would help ensure effective communications during war. Communication, dialogue, an open and effective information exchange—what AFCEA is all about.
We are proud to claim David Sarnoff as a Founding Father and Charter Member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, and he in turn would be proud of today's AFCEA, known and respected around the world.
David Sarnoff Award Winners:
2017 David Sarnoff Award
Admiral Michael S. Rogers, USN (Ret.)
2015 David Sarnoff Award
Al Grasso
2014 David Sarnoff Award
Congressman Michael J. Rogers (R-MI)
2013 David Sarnoff Award
General Keith B. Alexander, USA
Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM)
and Director, National Security Agency/
Chief, Central Security Service (NSA/CSS)
2012 David Sarnoff Award
The Honorable James R. Clapper, Jr.
Director of National Intelligence
2011 David Sarnoff Award
Admiral James G. Stavridis, U.S. Navy
Commander, U.S. European Command and
NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe
2010 David Sarnoff Award
The Honorable John G. Grimes
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Networks and Information Integration (ASD NII),
and Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO)
2009 David Sarnoff Award
The Honorable John W. Warner
Former United States Senator, Commonwealth of Virginia
and Former Secretary of the Navy
2007 David Sarnoff Award
General James E. Cartwright, USMC
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2006 David Sarnoff Award
General Michael V. Hayden, USAF
Director, Central Intelligence Agency
2005 David Sarnoff Award
Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, Jr., USN
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2004 David Sarnoff Award
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI)
2003 David Sarnoff Award
General Alfred M. Gray, USMC (Ret.)
29th Commandant of the Marine Corps
2002 David Sarnoff Award
General Richard B. Myers, USAF
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2001 David Sarnoff Award
Dr. Ralph W. Shrader
Chairman and CEO, Booz Allen Hamilton
2000 David Sarnoff Award
General Dr. Klaus Reinhardt
Commander, Joint Command Centre,
Former Commander, Kosovo Force
1999 David Sarnoff Award
The Honorable Duane P. Andrews
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense, C3I,
Corporate Executive Vice President, SAIC
1998 David Sarnoff Award
Admiral Archie Clemins, USN
Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet
1997 David Sarnoff Award
Admiral William A. Owens, USN (Ret.)
Former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
and President/Vice Chairman of the Board, SAIC
1996 David Sarnoff Award
The Honorable Emmett Paige, Jr.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for C3I
1995 David Sarnoff Award
The Honorable William J. Perry
Secretary of Defense
1994 David Sarnoff Award
The Honorable Albert Gore
Vice President of the United States
1993 David Sarnoff Award
Mr. Robert E. Allen
Chairman and CEO, AT&T
1992 David Sarnoff Award
The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
U.S. Secretary of Defense
1991 David Sarnoff Award
General Colin L. Powell, USA
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
1990 David Sarnoff Award
General Robert T. Herres, USAF (Ret.)
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
1989 David Sarnoff Award
Mr. Norman R. Augustine
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Martin Marietta Corporation
1988 David Sarnoff Award
Admiral Bobby R. Inman, USN (Ret.)
President, Westmark Systems
1987 David Sarnoff Award
General Bernard W. Rogers, USA
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
1986 David Sarnoff Award
Senator Barry M. Goldwater (R-AZ)
1985 David Sarnoff Award
General John W. Vessey, Jr., USA
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
1984 David Sarnoff Award
Mr. H. Ross Perot
Chairman of the Board, Electronic Data Systems
1983 David Sarnoff Award
His Excellency Joseph M.A.H. Luns
Secretary General, NATO
1982 David Sarnoff Award
Senator Harrison H. Schmitt (R-NM)
1981 David Sarnoff Award
Dr. William O. Baker, President
Bell Telephone Laboratories (Ret.)
1980 David Sarnoff Award
General Russell E. Dougherty, USAF (Ret.)
Member, Defense Science Board
1979 David Sarnoff Award
Mr. Arthur A. Collins
Collins, Inc.
1978 David Sarnoff Award
General Alexander Haig, USA
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
