SIGNAL Magazine's Sparky Baird Award
This annual award is given to the author(s) of the outstanding SIGNAL Magazine article of the year.
The W.J. "Sparky" Baird Award is named after COL W.J. Baird, USA (Ret.), former general manager of AFCEA and editor of SIGNAL Magazine. COL Baird became editor of SIGNAL in 1956 and held that position for 18 years. He assumed the additional duty of AFCEA general manager in 1959. That position became AFCEA President in 1977.
Note: Nominations are not solicited for this award. The Sparky Baird Award winner is chosen by an independent panel of judges from government, industry and media.
2017 Sparky Baird Award Winner
CSM Rodney Dale Harris, USA (Ret)
"Army Braces for a Culture Clash"
SIGNAL Magazine, January 2016
Past Winners
2016 Sparky Baird Award Winners
Lt Col David R. Waller, USAF
United States Special Operations Command
MAJ Ernest H. Jenkins, USA
United States Central Command
LCDR Christina M. Hicks, USN
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic
"The Network of the Future is Needed Now"
SIGNAL Magazine, December 2015
2015 Sparky Baird Award Winner
Col M. Thomas Davis, USA (Ret.)
"Defense Acquisition, Meet Moore's Law"
SIGNAL Magazine, August 2014
2014 Sparky Baird Award Winner
1st Lt Robert Lee, USAF
"The Failing of Air Force Cyber"
SIGNAL Magazine, November 2013
2013 Sparky Baird Award Winners
Frank Klucznik
Capt. Michael Stephens, USAF
"The Tactical Edge Sees Data Interoperability"
SIGNAL Magazine, November 2012
2012 Sparky Baird Award Winner
Paul Strassman
"A Culture Shock Is Coming"
SIGNAL Magazine, July 2011
2011 Sparky Baird Award Winner
James Bussert
"China Enters the Aircraft Carrier Club"
SIGNAL Magazine, April 2010
2010 Sparky Baird Award Winners
Carol Scheina
Gabe Mounce
Daniel Ward
"Twitter is Mission Critical"
SIGNAL Magazine, October 2009
2009 Sparky Baird Award Winner
Diana Raschke
"Asymmetric Warfare Requires Intelligence Community Reorganization"
SIGNAL Magazine, April 2008
2008 Sparky Baird Award Winner
Vinh Nguyen
"Current Trends in Intelligence Outsourcing Affect Workforce Stability"
SIGNAL Magazine, December 2007
Complete list of AFCEA Awards and nomination forms.
Award Questions?
Please contact signal@afcea.org
