FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release #2123
April 29, 2021
Point of Contact. — Jeffrey Prater, (401) 832-2039
NUWC Division Newport visual information specialist wins first place in Navy Media Awards
Kerri Spero of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport Graphics and Digital Imaging Branch of the Corporate Operations Department has won first place in the Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards Graphic Design-Digital Art category.
This highly competitive, Navy-wide awards program recognizes exceptional work by individuals and communications teams throughout the Navy, and fosters an environment of innovation and growth that leads to more effective communication programs. This is the second consecutive year in which Spero, a resident of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, has won in this awards program.
The winning nomination package included a series of four calendar illustrations designed to celebrate women in STEM careers, and depicted in each illustration is a building located on the NUWC Division Newport campus.
Last year, Spero won the Navy Civilian Graphic Designer of the Year Award [https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/News/SavedNewsModule/Article/2164027/nuwc-division-newport- graphic-designer-public-affairs-team-win-russell-egnor-na/] and an award in the Graphic Design- Animation category for several projects, including Division Newport’s 150th Anniversary and a collaborative exhibit for Navy Day at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Spero began her career in 2002 as a visual information specialist in the U.S. Air Force at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan. In 2007, she separated from active duty and enlisted in the Massachusetts Air National Guard as a photojournalist. In 2016 she was hired by Division Newport to provide a variety of graphics and imaging services for all levels of the command, including original visual treatments for printed publications, electronic display and exhibits, and the visual aspects of video productions.
Spero was recognized during a livestream event hosted by NUWC Division Newport Commanding Officer Capt. Chad Hennings and Technical Director Ron Vien on April 21.
NUWC Division Newport is a shore command of the U.S. Navy within the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, builds and supports America’s fleet of ships and combat systems. NUWC Newport provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures associated with undersea warfare.
NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Capt. Chad Hennings, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher's Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.
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