2009 Walter S. Mangold Award recipient: Anthony C. Aiken.

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NEHA is proud to present the 2009 Walter S. Mangold Award, its highest honor, to Colonel Anthony C. Aiken (ret.), of the United States Army.

Aiken began his extensive career in the field of environmental health after acquiring a BS degree in biology and chemistry in 1972 and an MS degree in environmental sciences in 1974 from Tuskegee University. It was during this time, while serving as a member of the army Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC), that Aiken was recognized as a Distinguished Military Student for "displaying outstanding qualities of leadership, high moral character, noteworthy academic achievement, and exceptional aptitude for the military service."

Aiken was provided with vast experiences in both domestic and international environmental health issues. His career history with the military began in Fort McPherson, Georgia, where Aiken served as an industrial hygienist and environmental science officer. Aiken then spent four years in Frankfurt, Germany, where he administered an environmental health and sanitation program that included the supervision of enlisted preventive medicine technicians in support of a large hospital and associated garrison activities. He returned to Georgia in 1982 and served as an environmental science officer at Fort Benning. In 1986, Aiken served as the executive officer (second in command) of a multidisciplined unit that provided preventive medicine services to U.S. forces and military units throughout the Republic of South Korea. He returned to Maryland in 1988, where he served as senior project officer of the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency's Health Hazard Assessment Office. In this position, Aiken evaluated new and innovative medical systems and weapons technology to be used by U.S. military personnel worldwide.

As deputy of the technical support division of the U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Material Agency, Aiken was directly responsible for the development and management of a $26 million annual research and technology budget for army pollution prevention efforts. He then served as commander for the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Activity-West in Aurora, Colorado, and was responsible for providing a variety of environmental and occupational health support to more than 200 organizations covering a 23-state region.

In 1995, Aiken was deployed to Zagreb, Croatia. During the seven-month deployment, he supported Operation Joint Endeavor as chief of the Medical and Veterinary Services. He returned to Aurora and served for two years as senior environmental science officer of the U.S. Army Garrison's Base Realignment and Closure Office. In 1998, Colonel Aiken successfully managed an environmental health and industrial hygiene program for a 10-state region while serving as senior environmental science officer of the Walter Reed Health Care System in Washington, D.C. In recognition of his exceptional military service, the U.S. Army presented Colonel Aiken with many awards and honors, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, and other awards of great prestige.

Colonel Aiken now serves as president and CEO of Aiken Global Group, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in ensuring that its corporate, civic, and government clients are able to maintain hazard-free work environments, offer environmentally responsible products and services, and operate in compliance with local and national antipollution laws and regulations.

Aiken's service and support to NEHA have been both remarkable and long-standing. He is currently a member of the Past Presidents Affiliate, which followed his tenure as NEHA's president from 2000 to 2001. During his presidency, Aiken commissioned a committee of NEHA members to support an initiative from the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Environmental and Public Health Council (UL). This NEHA/UL committee successfully developed a methodology to establish standards to improve the overall quality of indoor air. He is also a past president of NEHA's Uniformed Services Environmental Health Association (USEHA) Affiliate; he served from 1992 to 1994.

Robert Blake, MPH, REHS, writes, "Colonel Aiken is a highly dynamic individual who motivates those he comes into contact with to do their very best."

Richard Collins, MSEH, RS/REHS, DAAS, CAPT USPHS, writes, "Tony Aiken has had an exemplary career in environmental health thus far and he is not finished yet. He continues the practice of environmental health, while at the same time remains committed to giving back to the profession for which he maintains a passion." Mary Vaeth, MD, writes, "Colonel Aiken is a consummate environmental health professional who has excelled in every project and has earned the respect and admiration of all with whom he has been associated."

Thus, it is a privilege and an honor for NEHA to present this award to Colonel Anthony C. Aiken, a man who exemplifies the philosophy, ethics, and dedication expressed through the life of the late Walter S. Mangold.