Everett Roper, Ph.D., who recently went through the Centralized Section List process and was chosen for a GS-15 project manager position, receives the Professional Achievement in Government Award at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Black Engineer of the Year awards gala in Washington, in 2017. Presenting the award is retired Gen. Gustave Perna. (Photo courtesy of Everett Roper, Missile Defense Agency)