The Aerospace Corporation Presents
Diversity Award to Victoria Ndefo

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (6/15/04) -- The Aerospace Corporation has presented its Excellence in Diversity Award to employee Victoria Coskrey Ndefo for demonstrating an ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and teamwork in the workplace.

Ndefo becomes the first recipient of the award, which was created to acknowledge the company's commitment to promoting diversity and to recognize employees who support this commitment by leadership and example.

Ndefo received the award today in a special ceremony at corporate headquarters in El Segundo. She received a handsome trophy, whose centerpiece is a polished silver and gold globe, and a $5,000 cash award.

Aerospace President and CEO William F. Ballhaus Jr. told employees during a company-wide meeting that Ndefo "has been a committed, dedicated leader for diversity at Aerospace for more than 25 years."

He described the award as symbolic of progress the company has made in "establishing and recognizing diversity efforts and initiatives" and "using diversity to enhance our business goals and ultimately the mission success of our customers."

Ndefo, who has been with Aerospace for 29 years, is credited with creating a diverse environment in which her staff is encouraged to grow and advance, morale is high, and cultural differences are respected and recognized. She has championed and consistently supported company-sponsored activities that create understanding and respect for cultural differences.

Ndefo has served as vice president and later as president of the Aerospace Black Caucus, one of six company affinity groups that represent segments of the employee population. During her tenure, she reenergized the caucus and reestablished two regional caucus offices. Ndefo also formed partnerships with the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base to combine efforts for Black History Month, Martin Luther King Jr. events, and the Spirit of the Dream Award.

Ndefo has been active with, and continues to support, the Aerospace Women's Committee. She was a volunteer with Rebuild LA, has organized community outreach efforts and built alliances with local schools.

She also served as a member of the Aerospace Diversity Action Committee and the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee. Recently, she provided historical records to a committee chartered to reconstitute the advisory committee.

The award is not Ndefo's first at Aerospace. She received a Woman of the Year award in 1984 and the Robert H. Herndon Black Image Award in 2001.

Vickie and her husband, Aerospace employee Dr. Ejike Ndefo, live in Los Feliz. They are the parents of two sons and three daughters and have five grandchildren, one of whom is a recent graduate of Clark University, Atlanta, Georgia.