NDIA Announces Recipients of Its Highest Awards

Forrestal and Sridhar Award Winners Announced

NDIA Announces Recipients of Its Highest Awards

ARLINGTON, VA – The National Defense Industrial Association’s Board Chair, Michael Bayer is pleased to announce two of the Arlington, Virginia-based trade organization’s highest honors.

Mr. Frederick W. Smith will receive the James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award, recognizing his work as an industry leader and champion for a strong and agile defense industrial base. The award is bestowed on an industry executive who best reflects Forrestal’s vision, guidance and staunch support of a strong defense industry.

Smith founded the Federal Express network in 1971 with a vision of addressing the logistical needs of the future, understanding that there was a vital link missing in transportation and the nation’s competitiveness. He successfully grew FedEx into a $40 billion corporation that has changed the global economy, with over 550,000 employees worldwide, handling over 16 million shipments a day. FedEx is routinely recognized for its quality and innovation, ranking in Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential Companies” among others. Smith’s natural talent has seen FedEx consistently leading the industry in cutting-edge technological innovations. Smith is acutely attuned to the most pressing national security and economic challenges the U.S. faces, and has been a mainstay in supporting military operations worldwide.

“Smith exemplifies American global leadership on the world stage. His contributions to defense have set forth a standard that we are proud to aspire to and emulate, alongside his strong commitment and belief in the mission,” Michael Bayer, NDIA’s board chair said.

Ms. Dolly Oberoi will receive the Kathleen P. Sridhar Small Business Executive of the Year Award, recognizing her steadfast commitment to excellence and advancements of small business in defense. The award is bestowed on a defense industry small-business executive in honor of the late Kathleen Sridhar, known for her leadership, selfless passion for mentoring small-business owners and support for a strong small-business sector within the defense industrial base.

Oberoi’s knowledge of and experience within the simulation and training (S&T) industry spans more than 32 years. A respected pioneer and entrepreneur in the education and training, aviation, defense, and civilian sectors, she is dedicated to her company’s mission to improve human performance. In 1989, Oberoi founded C2 Technologies, an aerospace and defense company specializing in immersive technologies, (AR/VR/metaverse/digital twins), training, modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence, analytics, and information technology. As an entrepreneur, she has served the academic, public and private sectors with distinction, completing more than 18,000 projects for 130 plus clients, employing 500 employees in more than 22 locations globally, and winning over 200 industry awards.

“NDIA is delighted to recognize Oberoi’s achievements and to honor her commitment to the defense industrial base, as a thought leader and mentor to many,” said Bayer. “Her tireless efforts for small businesses are essential for the support of our warfighters.”

The Sridhar award will be presented at the NDIA Fall Board of Directors Luncheon; the Forrestal award will be presented at Dinner. Both events will take place Wednesday, Nov. 16, at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

For media queries, contact Habiba Hamid, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at hhamid@NDIA.org