Millennium Magazine_8th Ed

303 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine TECHNOLOGY F ollowing the close of the Korean War, Lieutenant Colonel Jarrell J. Priess joined the United States National Guard in 1954 at just 17 years old. Involved in several Army bands during hismilitary tenure, he notably ascended the ranks to second lieutenant, commanding officer of the Air Defense Artillery Battery, commander of the United States National Guard Unit in Ohio and lieutenant colonel, a title he obtained in 1986. During his 32 years in the United States Army Reserves and National Guard, he attended several military colleges, including the Command and General Staff Officer’s course in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and subsequently received a BSEE from the University of Kansas. Leveraging his undergraduate degree, Lt. Col. Priess joined the Johnson Space Center with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston in 1969, excelling as an aeronautics engineer. As a staff member, he was involved in numerous flight research project groups in the Aircraft Operations Division. Part of his responsibilities included modifying the aircrafts that were used for astronauts when they returned into the Earth’s atmosphere. Alongside his primary pursuits, Lt. Col. Priess has been a lifetime member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, the Scottish Rite and Shriners International. He has also dedicated his time to myriad civic endeavors that have contributed to the charitable research of medical ailments. Notably, the Shriners Hospital for Children named him a permanent contributing member in 2018, as well as named to the 100 Million Dollar Club in 2002. Additionally, in 2014, he was inducted into the Stafford High School Hall of Fame for his eminent contributions to society, engineering and military service. Likewise, Lt. Col. Priess received a 50 Years of Federal Service Award from NASA in 2019, having previously earned a 45 Years of Federal Service Award in 2014. NASA also honored him with a Superior Accomplishment Award for exemplary support to the flight crew operations directorate in 2009, a Recognition of Excellence in 2005, a NASA Special Award in 1978, a Skylab Achievement Award in 1974, a NASA Group Achievement Award in 1974 and an Outstanding Performance Rating in 1971, among many other accolades. JARRELL J. PRIESS LIEUTENANT COLONEL (RETIRED), UNITED STATES ARMY Engineer (Retired), National Aeronautics and Space Administration Houston, TX