CONTACT:  Patricia Viets, NOAA                    IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                  December 1, 1998 

Two employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Oceanographic Data Center, Silver Spring, were recently honored for 40 years of government service.

Mary Lewis, an oceanographer, began her career in the federal government in 1958 as a medical technician at the former Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. She moved to the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office in 1959 where she was promoted from a physical science aid to a physical science technician. Mary was reclassified in 1962. Except for the six months at HEW, Lewis has served with the National Oceanographic Data Center (and its predecessor organizations) for her whole career.

"Over the 40 years of service, Mary Lewis worked hard and effectively to ingest oceanographic data into data bases," said NODC director Henry Frey. " She is as productive now as before and is an exemplary role model for others to see."

Bob Van Wie, a computer specialist, started his Federal career as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1955. He began work at the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office in 1960, interrupted by being called back to the Navy as a reservist. Van Wie became a computer specialist in 1974.

"Throughout his career at NODC (and its predecessor organizations) Bob Van Wie has contributed in many meaningful ways," Frey said. "It is commendable that he maintained his technical capabilities to continue to be relevant."