The National Defense Industrial Association selected the Operational Test Command’s Michael Nott as the Government Civilian Tester of the Year, according to an announcement from the Office of the Deputy Undersecretary of the Army.

Colonel Laura Richardson, OTC 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 Mr. Nott and his selfless service to OTC, the Army and our Soldiers,” she said. “Through his efforts, OTC’s excellence in testing is, once again, being recognized on a national level.”

Richardson said that largely due to the efforts of Nott and OTC’s NIE team, the semi-annual series of tests and evaluations will be recognized as a challenge for others to emulate. NIE, which was initiated in 2011, is the new way of doing business for the Army, according to Richardson, and it 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.

Nott, who currently serves as the director of OTC’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 enable him to guide OTC in the conduct of mission command and network integration operational testing, the Army’s current focus.

“To be selected by the NDIA 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.”

Nott’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Superior Civilian Service Medal and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service. A resident of Harker Heights, Nott is married to the former Gertraud Wilzbach, and the couple has three children and seven grandchildren.

NDIA, organized in 1997, focuses on promoting America’s national security interests and providing a forum for the exchange of information between government and industry. With nearly 2,000 corporate members and 90,000 individual members, NDIA has chapters throughout the United States.