NASA’s Andy Prince Named Professional of the Year by Huntsville Association of Technical Societies

Frank A. (Andy) Prince, a cost engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., was named 2004 Professional of the Year by the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS), a nonprofit association that brings together Huntsville area technical and professional groups dedicated to the advancement of science and engineering.

Prince, who works in Marshall’s Space Transportation Directorate, won the top award among members of the Society for Cost Estimation and Analysis, Greater Alabama Chapter, an organization that promotes the cost estimating and analysis profession and fosters professional growth of its members.

The award was presented April 1 at the technical society’s annual dinner held in conjunction with the Technological Excellence in Aviation, Missiles, and Space (TEAMS) conference.

Prince began his government career with NASA in 1991, after six years as a senior cost analyst in private industry. In his present position, he estimates costs for new launch vehicles and other spacecraft using statistical analysis and information from past NASA missions. Cost estimates are used by engineers and scientists to determine cost effective hardware designs, and by management to make funding decisions.

Prince earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1984. Born in Decatur, he grew up in Huntsville and graduated from S.R. Butler High School.

Prince’s professional recognitions include the 2001 Technical Estimator of the Year Award from the Society of Cost Estimating and Analysis; and a “Silver Snoopy Award” in 2001, presented by NASA’s Astronaut Corps to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the success of human space flight.

In addition to his membership in the Society of Cost Estimating and Analysis, Prince is a member of the board of directors, and board secretary, for the International Society of Parametric Analysts. He has authored papers for the “National Estimator,” a publication of the Society of Cost Estimating & Analysis, and “Engineering Management Journal,” an international journal published by The American Society of Engineering Management.

Prince and his wife, the former Lisa Jones, reside with their two children Will, 8, and David, 5, in Huntsville.