The National Defense Industrial Association has selected the Operational Test Command's Michael B. Nott as the government civilian tester of the year, according to an announcement from the Office of the Deputy Undersecretary of the Army.

Col. Laura J. Richardson, commander, praised Nott for his leadership and commitment to the Army's Network Integration Evaluation series currently conducted every six months at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

"I am extremely proud of (Nott) and his selfless service to (the command), the Army and our soldiers," she said. "Through his efforts, (the command's) excellence in testing is, once again, being recognized on a national level."

Richardson said that largely due to the efforts of Nott and the command's network integration evaluation team, the semi-annual series of tests and evaluations will be recognized as a challenge for others to emulate. The integration evaluation, which was initiated in 2011, is the new way of doing business for the Army, according to Richardson, and is conducted by the TRIAD, a partnership comprising the Army Test and Evaluation Command, the System of Systems-Integration and the Brigade Modernization Command at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Nott, who currently serves as the director of the test command's Mission Command Test Directorate, has more than 24 years of active-duty service and 20 years of service as a Department of the Army civilian employee. A native of Lake Tahoe, Calif., Nott holds a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science degree in management from Webster University.

Having served in a variety of military and civilian assignments, Nott is now responsible for the operational testing of programs of high interest to senior Army leadership. Nott said his experience and education enables him to guide the command in the conduct of mission command and network integration operational testing, the Army's current focus.

"To be selected by the (National Defense Industrial Association) as the Army government civilian tester of the year is an unexpected honor," Nott said.

"I have been privileged throughout my career to have worked with many outstanding individuals, and any recognition I get I owe to the support and mentorship of all of them."

The defense industrial organization, organized in 1997, focuses on promoting America's national security interests and providing a forum for the exchange of information between government and industry.