Technical Support
The Outstanding Employee awards are chosen by nominations received by the Awards Committee from all faculty, staff, and students at VIMS. They are awarded in the categories of Facilities/Safety/Trades, Research and Advisory Service, Technical Support, and Administrative Support.
The winner of the 2010 Outstanding Employee for Technical Support is Mr. Ed Keesee.
Throughout his
nearly two decades at VIMS, Ed Keesee has shown the knowledge, skill, and
ingenuity required to do science at the very highest level. His analytical
prowess and experience in quality control were instrumental to the success of
VIMS' analytical service facility, much to the benefit of many students, staff,
and faculty. His exceptional care and attention to detail resulted in thousands
of successful analyses of radiocarbon and organic matter. Indeed, only a
handful of scientists have Ed’s level of experience and expertise in what is a
very challenging field.
In additional to his considerable analytical skills, Ed’s talents include exceptional focus and organizational skills for planning field and sampling programs and an almost supernatural ability to handle massive and complex data sets accurately.
Ed is also a kind and gentle man. His quiet and generous nature, coupled with a dry wit, quickly wins favor with students who turn to him for advice and support. Ed’s contributions to VIMS have been substantial—both in terms of the research he has supported and the students he has trained. We are greatly pleased to honor him with this award.
Congratulations, Ed!