Dr. David W. Pittman is director of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Mississippi. He is also director of R&D and chief scientist for the Army Corps of Engineers.

In October 2020, he led celebration of Corps of Engineers nominees at the Women of Color STEM virtual conference. Pittman presented the New Media Leadership In Government Award to Ms. Barbara Pilate.

Pilate is a computer scientist in the Engineer Research and Development Center of the Army Corps of Engineers. She was recognized for outstanding work on the Map Based Mission Planning program. The program delivers a web-based, fully digital software solution called Joint Planning Services.

"Barbara Pilate fills a critical role in the quality and success of the software that is delivered," Dr. Pittman said. "Typically, modules developed within JPS are tested using manual tests. These tests can be cumbersome and time consuming. To make testing process more efficient, Barbara developed a software test framework for implementing automated tests. These automated tests detect defects earlier in the software development process and substantially reduce the number of required manual tests. Her actions have contributed to the success of the Map Based Mission Planning program."

Pilate's father graduated with a bachelor’s degree while working. He valued a quality education and encouraged his children to do the same. "My mother also valued an education and worked long hours to help support our family. Dad served in the United States Air Force for 34 years and had other business ventures," Pilate said in her acceptance speech.

"My siblings and I all graduated from college with bachelor’s degrees. Three of us earned post-graduate degrees, including my oldest sibling who has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Thanks to strong family support, I excelled in my career goals and am blessed to receive this honor."