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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Kathleen M. Romano

Mr. Robert M. Romano began his United States Air Force (USAF) career by taking Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) from 1964 to 1968 while obtaining his degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, he attended the RADAR Maintenance Officer Course at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. After graduation, in 1969, he was assigned to Vandenberg Tracking Station (VTS) located on the central coast of California. VTS is a remote tracking station that is part of the USAF Satellite Control Network, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
Mr. Romano began his space career as a Satellite Operations Controller. He quickly mastered this position and became a shift supervisor and trainer for newly assigned controllers. His knowledge of the position and his skill as an instructor resulted in the site obtaining and maintaining a highly qualified cadre of Satellite Operations Controllers. Additionally, he was selected to be the VTS Vehicle Coordinator for the countdown, launch and initialization of numerous Department of Defense (DOD) Spacecraft, a position that required coordination with multiple contractors and diverse USAF units.
In 1974, Mr. Romano resigned from the USAF, and was employed by the Lockheed Corporation as a Technical Advisor to the USAF Satellite Operations Controllers and continued as the Vehicle Coordinator supporting the launch of several more DOD Spacecraft.
In 1977, because of his initiative, extensive knowledge and skill, Lockheed transferred him to the Washington DC area to support a technologically advanced and highly complex electronic system critical to national security. The system was and is very successful and contributed significantly to ending the cold war and aids in the war on terrorism. During his tour of duty in the Washington area, he progressed from technical advisor, to supervisor, to the deputy manager of a large Mission Engineering group (still serving 2005). He also is one of a very limited number of Lockheed Martin managers to reach the professionally certified level. During his 20 years as deputy manager, he has been recognized as the glue that has held a highly successful Mission Engineering group together through five different managers. His dedication, management style and people skills are the largest single contributor to their success.
Mr. Romano is commonly referred to as the best manager on site. During the dot.com boom when other groups on site were experiencing a 20% turnover, his group only had a 5% turnover. This is a very strong testament to his management and people skills and the loyalty of his employees.
Mr. Romano has the unique ability to remain calm under very stressful conditions and guide teams of engineers in successfully solving complex system anomalies. His insightful questions result in the best solution to return the system to full operation with the least impact to the overall mission.
In summary, Mr. Romano is highly respected by his superiors, peers and employees. He has made and continues to make very significant contributions to the nation’s space programs through his technical, management and people skills.