WASHINGTON, DC, 02/13/2001 -- Maintaining a successful balance between work and personal life is a continuing challenge for most. Lockheed Martin's Vonda Rhodes meets that challenge and exceeds it. In recognition of her outstanding volunteer efforts and dedication to the community, Rhodes was selected for the Black Engineer of the Year's Community Service Award for 2001. The award was presented recently at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference in Baltimore. The Career Communications Group, Inc., whose mission is to promote significant minority achievement in engineering, science and technology, hosted the event.

In addition to the demands of her job as a manager with Lockheed Martin Management & Data Systems (M&DS) in Gaithersburg, Md., Rhodes still makes time for numerous volunteer activities, both inside and outside the company. She earned this award for her demonstrated leadership and volunteer work in the Black science engineering and technology community and the time she devotes to serving the community.

Her long list of volunteer activities include: mentoring girls in math, science and technology; tutoring elementary school students through M&DS' Partners in Education program; helping to organize Black Family Technology Awareness Day; and serving as Vice Chair of M&DS' Washington Chapter of Network of Volunteer Associates (NOVA), as well as leading a number of NOVA projects in the Washington area.

The drive behind this kind of commitment is Rhodes' fervent belief in the importance of giving back to the community, a principle instilled in her by her parents. And, Rhodes explained the rewards are immeasurable.

My life requires a lot of good time management between my personal and busy work life, and volunteering is an important part of my lifestyle, Rhodes said. It is great to see the smiles on the faces of the girls I mentor. It is also rewarding to know that the giving of my services is so appreciated.

Vonda serves as a role model for all of us, said M&DS vice president and regional executive Terry Kees, by the generous ways she gives of her time, mentors others, and serves the less fortunate people in her community.

Management & Data Systems, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pa., has been a leader in systems integration, systems engineering, software development and program management in support of vital national systems for more than 30 years. M&DS is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation with approximately 7,500 employees at facilities in Pennsylvania, Arizona, California, Colorado and the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

For more information on the Career Communications Group, Inc., which publishes the US Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine, and the Black Engineer of the Year Award Conference, visit http://www.blackengineer.com/.