The Department of Aerospace Engineering is pleased to announce that department alumna Corey Brooker, BS ’94 and MS ’95, has been awarded for Distinguished Alumni Service, which is presented to an individual who has given generously of time and talent to further College projects and activities. It is one CoE Alumni Awards for 2020 given by the Michigan Engineering Alumni Board, honoring alumni who have contributed substantially to their field.
Brooker is currently the Senior Manager for Orion’s System Environments and Specialty Engineering for Lockheed Martin and is widely recognized for his work in aerospace engineering. Despite his busy schedule, he regularly visits the University of Michigan (U-M) campus and every Fall has arranged to be a speaker in our Departmental Undergraduate Seminar series, where he displays strong public speaking talents as he interacts with student project teams as a reviewer, advisor, and mentor.
He is a member of the UofM Department of Aerospace Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, and is the Founder and Chair of the UofM Aerospace Engineering Alumni Society. He is also notable as a UofM donor, a mentor and coach for the College of Engineering, and an active participant and coach for the highly popular Aerospace Day, and is a reviewer for the Eng 100 Blimp and ENG 200 Design/Build/Test reviews and competitions.
In addition, Brooker was instrumental in the introduction of computing tools early into the undergraduate curriculum and the development of the required Aero 205 course that includes basic solid modeling and fluid and solid simulation tools, which has led to numerous students securing internships and even permanent positions.
In recognition for his work, Brooker was given the 2018 Lockheed Martin Special Recognition Award (SRA) for his leadership on multiple launch vehicle changes on the Orion Program prior to the Exploration Mission-2 Critical Design Review, the 2017 Lockheed Martin Team SPOT Award, recognition for dedication to Employee Engagement in Civil Space, the 2014 Lockheed Martin Mission Success Award, for his management of the United Launch Alliance Launch Vehicle integration for the uncrewed Exploration Flight Test-1 Mission of the Orion spacecraft, and the 2010 Lockheed Martin Special Recognition Award (SRA) awarded for exceptional support as Technical Lead for the Orion.
In response to the award announcement, Brooker said, “Wow! I am truly overwhelmed, humbled and honored to even be considered, yet alone the recipient! This honor is a bright light in what is otherwise a dim 2020.”
Past recipients include Jim Jacobi, Senior Principle and CIO at Walter P. Moore; Tarolyn Buckles, President and CEO of Onyx Enterprises; W. David Tarver, President of the Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative; and Kenneth Snodgrass, who was instrumental in the creation and success of the Michigan Engineering Zone.
