Lynn B. Fox, director of the Apache Helicopter-International Programs for the Boeing Company, will receive an award for professional achievement at the Women of Color in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference in Detroit this fall.

The presenter of the 2018 Professional Achievement in Industry Award will be Carolyn Nichols, director for V-22 Osprey Tiltrotor Sustainment for Boeing Global Services. Nichols is responsible for providing logistics services to the V-22 Osprey fleet and customers, along with aircrew and maintenance training.

"Growing up, I dreaded the question, 'Hey, where are you from?'," says Fox. "I was three when my family moved from the Philippines to South Carolina. I’d automatically answer Charleston. The response? 'No, where are you really from?'"

Fox says she now finds the tone of this question has changed.

"Instead of poking fun because I was different, I hear an honest desire to connect with and appreciate my diversity," Fox explained. "Organizations like this are bringing about change. Today I proudly answer - South Carolina is my hometown and my people are from the Philippines. And I’m thankful for the opportunities and recognition," she said.

Boeing has delivered more than 2,200 Apaches to customers around the world since the aircraft entered production in the 1980s.

Fox currently manages product development of the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter for the company’s international customers.

Prior, as a mission system engineer team leader for Boeing Phantom Works, which explores new technology and markets, she managed a team of 33 people before her team was later deployed to Iraq to support the systems being used by the U.S. Army. From 2010 to 2012.

In 2014 she took an opportunity to move from the Boeing Phantom Works business to Boeing Military Aircraft as a program manager for the V-22 Osprey, where she led a five-year program between Boeing and Japan valued at more than $2.7 billion. This was the program’s first international client.

Fox has served as a capture lead with a team of over 200 people for a $63 million initiative for contractor-owned and -operated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft. She has also managed more than 100 employees as a senior manager for Network & Space Systems Business Development and as the lead for the Mission Systems Integrated Product team, executing the business case for capturing a potential domestic and international tactical aircraft market.