Three Recognized During Batten College Distinguished Honors Dinner

May 20, 2015

Batten College Dean Oktay Baysal (left), Admiral David Architzel (ret.) and Johnny Garcia, emcee for the event

Navy Vice Admiral (ret.) David Architzel, Old Dominion University's former Director of Military Affairs, was one of three honorees at the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology's Distinguished Honors Celebration on May 14.

Architzel was presented the Outstanding Alumni and Friends Leadership Award at the fifth annual dinner, for his work forging links between ODU Engineering and the U. S. Department of Defense.

The event, hosted at the Half Moone Cruise and Convention Center, also featured a keynote address by Jennifer Michaeli, assistant professor of engineering technology, and director of the Batten College's Naval Engineering & Marine Systems Institute.

Among Architzel's key accomplishments in his time at Old Dominion was a role in the creation of a modeling and simulation certificate developed by the University in support of NAVAIR University, College of Test and Evaluation School of Modeling and Simulation in Maryland.

Architzel also played an important role in the University's partnership with Naval Station Norfolk to combat sea level rise, and the launch of a research cluster for unmanned autonomous systems.

"This University is in a great position," Architzel said, in receiving his award, while thanking acting Provost Chandra DaSilva and Dean of Engineering Oktay Baysal for making him feel connected to the University during his short stint as director of military affairs.

"Dean Baysal took a personal interest in our Military Affairs Council. I am very honored to be presented with the Batten College Leadership Award," Artchitzel continued. "The greatest satisfaction that I am looking forward to is seeing the University succeed here in Hampton Roads, and around the country."

Architzel, a consultant at Fairlead Integrated Power & Controls, came to Old Dominion after retiring in 2012 following a nearly 40-year career in the United States Navy.

Most recently he was commander of Naval Air Systems Command headquartered in Patuxent River, Md., a position he assumed in 2010 after serving as the principal military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition).

As a career naval aviator, Architzel accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours in more than 30 aircraft types in the fleet and as a test pilot at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Architzel is a New York native who earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973 and later a master's degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida.

Two other trailblazers were also honored by the Batten College at the dinner:

• Mike D'Amato, a senior consulting manager with AMSEC LLC, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries, received the Outstanding Alumni and Friends Service Award. D'Amato is an active community leader through his work in the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE). He currently serves as national vice president and holds various leadership roles within the organization. He is also liaison with the ASNE student chapter at Old Dominion.
• The Outstanding Alumni and Friends Pioneer Award was presented to Donald Blount, founder of Donald L. Blount and Associates, Inc. A naval engineer, Blount was employed as a civilian by the U.S. Navy for 35 years before launching his company in 1988, which provides marine design, engineering and consulting services for high-speed, special-purpose commercial, military and recreational watercraft for U.S. and international clients.