The Webb Alumni Association is pleased to present the fortieth William Selkirk Owen Award to Peter A. Gale '59 & '04 (Sc.D. Hon.).

At his graduation from Webb Institute of Naval Architecture in 1959, Pete received numerous prizes and awards recognizing the highest honors and scholastic achievement in naval architecture and marine engineering; the second highest overall average, and the best naval architecture thesis. He then began a 29-year career as a Navy civilian. Shortly into that career, in 1964, he earned a Master of Science degree in Nautical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. In 2004, Webb provided further academic distinction by bestowing on him an Honorary Doctor of Science degree.

Pete started his long Navy career at the Bureau of Ships but then served in its successor organizations, the Naval Ship Engineering Center (NAVSEC) and the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Rising through the ranks from a junior naval architect to the highest level of government employment as a member of the Senior Executive Service, he held the positions of Head of the Preliminary Design Division, Technical Director of the Ship Design Group, Deputy Directory of the Hull Engineering Group, and Chief Naval Architect of the U.S. Navy. He retired from the Navy civilian corps in 1988 having played a key role in the design process for a host of naval vessels.

In 1988, Pete returned to Webb Institute and taught naval architecture and ship design courses for three years, passing on his knowledge, experience, and wisdom to future generations of ship designers. The lure of design brought him back to its practice in 1991 when he joined John J. McMullen Associates as its Chief Naval Architect for Naval Ship Design & Engineering. At JJMA, he demonstrated outstanding skill in ship design management and consulting. Among the most significant programs he led in this phase of his career were the Arsenal Ship design effort, the U.S. Coast Guard's Deepwater program surface asset designs, and the Navy's newest destroyer designs for the DD21 and DD(X). Since retiring in April 2004, he continues to perform valuable consulting work in support of our nation's naval ship design programs.

In addition to these superb achievements, Pete has served our profession by publishing numerous papers in various professional societies. The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers recognized his contributions by awarding him the American Bureau of Shipping Captain Joseph Linnard Prize for the best paper presented at its 1989 annual meeting. SNAME then honored him in 2001 with the award of the David Taylor Medal for notable achievement in Naval Architecture. He has often been referred to as "the naval architect's naval architect," praise which is most high and most deserved. Pete has also served Webb as a class agent since 1997.

Pete resides in Silver Spring, MD with his wife Jo Ann of 37 years. They have four children and two grandchildren.

We are pleased to honor Peter A. Gale for his achievements and dedication to the marine industry.

See Mr. Gale's remarks upon acceptance of the W. Selkirk Owen Award