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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command has named its three 2024 Civilians of the Year.
The selections are Keira Hardy in the supporting staff category; Dr. Theresa Scarnati in the professional/technical category; and Nicole Olbricht in the technical/technical management category.
“These exceptional individuals have demonstrated unparalleled dedication, skill, and commitment in their respective fields,” said Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general. “I am constantly amazed by the tremendous work our teammates do to support the Army, joint force, and their communities.”
Hardy, as an operations support specialist and astronaut liaison located at the Army NASA Detachment in Houston, ensures Army astronauts and space professionals are equipped to contribute to space-based operations that enhance national security.
“By supporting Army astronauts, we serve as a bridge between military and civilian space exploration efforts, reinforcing national defense through collaboration, research, and technological advancements,” Hardy said. “Our work helps integrate Army expertise into NASA’s programs, ensuring that military personnel gain experience in space-related technologies that can be applied to future defense initiatives.”
Through personal initiative, Hardy became well-versed in administrative, financial, security, training, tasking, supply, information technology, outreach and protocol systems, which enabled previously unheard-of levels of detachment self-sufficiency. This increased the personalized service and the timeliness of support offered to personnel within the detachment, as well as reduced the workloads of USASMDC’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-6, public affairs and protocol.
“No matter who I reach out to within SMDC, I always find someone ready to lend a hand,” Hardy said. “This is truly a remarkable organization, and I am grateful to be a part of it.”
In her personal time, Hardy volunteers with Mission Waco to feed the homeless and less fortunate; serves as a high school team mom; dedicates time to Army families by being aware of, tracking and celebrating important family events and milestones; and more.
“Being named Civilian of the Year is truly an honor as SMDC is filled with talented and dedicated employees who selflessly support our Soldiers and the mission,” Hardy said. “To be recognized for my contributions among such an exceptional group is a humbling experience. In a command where talent is abundant, this recognition is incredibly meaningful.”
Scarnati, a mathematician with the Multi-Domain Technologies Division in the Technical Center at Redstone Arsenal, said her division’s objective is to provide research and development of science-enabled capabilities for Army missions across all warfighting domains.
“To meet this objective, we ensure the technology we develop directly supports Army requirements and that there is a clear transition path to the warfighter for each capability,” Scarnati said.
According to her nomination packet, she contributed to multiple efforts across the USASMDC Space and Technology portfolio. As the lead for Modeling and Simulation of the Distributed Aperture Research portfolio, Scarnati demonstrated its potential reach and capabilities into multiple Army missions. Her work established the foundation for experimental validations for beyond-line-of-site communications.
“I truly enjoy each interaction I have with the people at SMDC. The Soldiers, civilians and contractors I work with every day are focused on ensuring the readiness of our forces,” Scarnati said. “For me, knowing that together we are making an impact makes my job very rewarding!”
Scarnati is also the technical lead for a project that utilizes in-house-developed artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms to translate overhead synthetic aperture radar data products into “Google Maps” quality images. The tasking of a satellite to collect, downlink, translate, and produce data products was successfully demonstrated at Project Convergence 2024. Her nomination said her work is supported by the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Force, and now the All-Domain Sensing Cross Functional Team, and that the support culminated in advocacy for participation in Project Convergence 2025.
While she mentors new engineers and leads multiple efforts with interdisciplinary teams, her nomination continued, Scarnati also ensures her team members have the support and credit they deserve. She also mentors master and doctor of philosophy candidates and serves on several university committees.
“I am honored to be recognized for this achievement among all the incredibly qualified individuals within this command. I’d like to thank LTG Gainey for this recognition and my leadership chain for the nomination for this award,” Scarnati said. “Their guidance has propelled me to grow into a successful researcher within SMDC.”
Olbricht serves as the director for Systems Engineering in the Technical Center at Redstone Arsenal. Her nomination packet said her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the mission of the Technical Center.
“I am humbled to even be nominated and blessed to be awarded,” Olbricht said. “I am so proud to be part of the command, especially at this time in history. I enjoy having the opportunity to move the Technical Center forward to support the warfighter with future Army systems. My team works diligently to support that mission and as a team; we stay focused on that goal.”
Under her guidance, the Systems Engineering Directorate experienced unprecedented growth in personnel resources and revenues. Olbricht led her team to execute $37 million in technical tasks. She led many technical tasks ranging from directed energy to lab infrastructure; modeling and simulation to reimbursable rate development; and cybersecurity to evaluate safety.
Additionally, she facilitated the establishment of operational capabilities in several key areas including the Directed Energy Systems Integration Lab and Air and Missile Systems Integration Lab.
“I enable Technical Center technologies by implementing systems engineering functions to support the transition of those technologies to the warfighter and programs of record,” she said. “Customers request the systems engineering support through the Systems Integration Laboratories, cybersecurity expertise, software assurance, reliability and systems engineering functions. The systems I work with are on the edge of transitioning to the hands of Soldiers, strengthening U.S. capabilities and weapon technologies.”
The nomination details that in her personal time, Olbricht volunteered for Hurricane Idalia cleanup efforts, coached youth girls’ basketball, and chaired the Madison Academy Theater, coached and judged speeches for Lads/Leaderettes to Leaders, taught Sunday School, and organized school supply collections for needy families. She also played an integral role in organizing, gathering, and delivering Christmas presents for foster children.
“Our command is such a special place, and to even be considered for the Civilian of the Year is a blessing,” Olbricht said. “Thank you to my teammates and my past and present leadership for supporting me and encouraging me. I look forward to continuing working with my SMDC teammates and my customers to get this important technology to our warfighters.”
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2025 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 494379 |
| Location: | REDSTONE ARSENAL, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 741 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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