College of Science and Engineering
Professional Achievement Award Winners
Professional Achievement Award recipients are alumni who have made important contributions to their careers or profession, to the social, political or economic well-being of the world around them and have shown continued community and civic involvement in addition to their association with and contributions to Idaho State University. Individuals selected for these prestigious awards have been out of school at least 10 years and have excelled in their chosen field, attaining significant success and accomplishments.
Thomas Ioerger - Natural and Physical Science
Thomas Ioerger was raised in a career Army family traveling the world. His professional career and education also took him across the world and the United States. After serving in the U.S. Air Force as an electronics technician of the F105 flight simulator based in Germany, Ioerger worked with the Imperial Iranian Air Force as an Electronics Field Engineer on the F4D flight simulator. In 1971, he used his G.I. Bill to attend Idaho State University at age 30. Tom graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. Ioerger earned a Master of Science Degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1975 from the Alfred P. Sloan School of Management established by the founder of, General Motors.
From 1975 to 1977, Ioerger managed International Defense Marketing in Brazil and Iran. For the next 30 years, Ioerger used his physics and management training while employed by TCOM, LP. He managed the International and Domestic Program of aerostat borne surveillance systems in Iran, Saudi Arabia and the U.S.'s southern border for 10 years. During the next 20 years of his career as the Vice President and Partner of TCOM, LP, he managed the international and domestic development and marketing of aerostat borne surveillance systems in Israel, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and India. Developing and establishing the first communications infrastructure in Iran represented a significant achievement and career highlight. The tethered balloon communications systems were developed and used to establish communications via television and radio.
Upon retirement, Ioerger chose the state of Nevada as his new home. Since his college days, he has enjoyed model airplane competitions and continues to compete in national and international free-flight (without radio control) competitions. He enjoys competing with his son, and has been the U.S. champion three times and enjoys the technical side of the sport.
Ioerger values the education he received at ISU and his congenial reception as a non-traditional student. His generosity to ISU is sincerely appreciated.
Dennis Keith Poulton - Engineering
Dennis Poulton is the chief engineer and vice president in charge of the project engineering functions to the Tunnel Construction group for J.F. Shea Construction, Inc.
Poulton has 37 years of professional work in the field of engineering and tunneling. In 1990, he was recognized with the Commendation in Support of Underground Safety by CAL-OSHA mining and tunneling unit. He also received the construction safety award in 1991 from the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission. He has served on the Los Angeles Mayor's Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on infrastructure.
Poulton graduated from Idaho State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering. He also has served on the Dean's Advisory board for the College of Science and Engineering. He has been a member of the Japanese American Citizens League since 1977, and is a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. He is married to Linda Kawamura of Pocatello.
Poulton celebrates with his team after landing $1.27 billion contract. (photo)