Highlighted Sessions

Winn’s Story

“When Winn Murray was being taught about clean water scarcity for one billion people in the world, Winn decided to do something to help. He went to a website and signed up to build a well in Africa at a cost of $6,500.

First, he began to use wristbands to raise awareness. Once all of the other students backed his initiative, he orchestrated Water Day, where 200 Springdale students carried around an 8 pound gallon of water all day for pledges toward building of the well. A story of Winn in the Macon Telegraph brought in hundreds of dollars in donations. In addition, Chick-fil-a on Zebulon Road donated $683. Many additional schools signed up to carry water and collect pledges as well.

His effort even got the attention of the people at www.thewaterproject.com. This ripple effect is the result of the passion that was ignited by one 8 year old boy who learned about a need and was moved to action. Winn was quoted as saying ‘When I didn’t know, I didn’t have to do anything.’

One of Winn’s own teachers admitted that they learned something every day about their own humanity from the actions of children, and that Winn is one of the best students they have every had” (American Red Cross 2011).

Mr. Carl Perazzola, P.E.

Carl Mr. Carl Perazzola is the Deputy Chief of the Air Force Corrosion Prevention & Control Office which is part of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Mr. Perazzola has served as a civilian in the USAF since 1987, showing commitment in various roles throughout his career. As Deputy Chief of the AFCPCO Mr. Perazzola ensures the Air Force is able to maintain a superior war fighter by leading weapon system corrosion prevention advisory boards and MAJCOM corrosion surveys worldwide. He is responsible for engineering projects, reports and requests for assistance from MAJCOM, ALC and DoD corrosion managers. Mr. Perazzola develops contractual parameters and oversees engineering testing on new material, processes and equipment for corrosion prevention on weapons system and support equipment thus allowing the USAF to maintain air superiority over her enemies. Mr. Perazzola assists in developing AF corrosion strategy and policy, and then presents that vision to HQ USAF and MAJCOM senior leadership. He represents the Air Force in joint-service and multi-national corrosion forums; developing contractual parameters and directing contracted efforts and operational field trials of new corrosion prevention and control materials and processes, in coordination with MAJCOMs, field units, ALCs and AFRL. Prior to this position, Mr. Perazzola was Chief of the Advance Power Technology Office (APTO). His responsibilities included identifying, assessing, demonstrating and then transitioning to new advance power technologies (i.e. advance battery, electric drive, fuel cells, photo voltaic and hydrogen reforming) in the Air Forces aerospace support equipment (AGE), ground vehicles and The Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) base power system acquisitions. Mr. Perazzola developed the business case, roadmap and prototypes for war fighters to incorporate the “hydrogen economy” in BEAR base and support AGE; due to his efforts, the Advance Power program obtained over $30 million form 2000-2005.