SAN DIEGO, CA, May 07, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Norman J. James with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. James celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
An aerospace group engineer, Mr. James retired in 2000, and continued in a similar capacity for another 15 years as a contractor/consultant in R&D Advanced Design for Rohr Industries, Chula Vista, CA, later becoming Goodrich, then United Technologies - Aerostructures Group(s). This also included team support to Lockheed-Martin Skunkworks on the NASA X-33 reusable launch vehicle program for Thermal Protection Systems. An expert in his field, his professional career would span more than 60 years. Starting as a senior designer with General Motors Styling in Detroit, he applied his technical and design skills to aesthetically resolve and direct clay modeling of the Firebirds II and III gas turbine concept cars. A transfer to the GM Defense Research Laboratories in Santa Barbara, CA, led to an Aerospace career change. Later, he represented Sundberg-Ferar Industrial Design Consultants, at Lockheed in Burbank, CA for L-1011 aircraft interiors and passenger accommodations. Further diversifying his experience, he joined the Transportation Division of Rohr Industries in 1974 as design chief for design of the Flxible (TM) 870 city transit bus, and then Rohr Marine Division/RMI for advanced marine 3KSES (Surface Effects Ship), SWATH, Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), and special warfare craft SWCM as an engineering specialist.
Mr. James considers his transformation of the legendary Harley J. Earl's "vision" into real hardware, to become the Firebird III—receiving the design patent in his own name—and his participation in the development of early lunar roving vehicles on an elite team—sharing a patent for hardware that rests on the Moon today—to be the high points of his career. He is the author of the book "Of Firebirds & Moonmen" Xlibris 2007, which chronicles that story. His career includes 4 Design and 20 Utility Patents.
He is also proud of contributions in his avocation of Amateur Astronomy and Telescope Making, including the invention of a waterborne telescope mounting. He has posted 17 YouTube videos of the inventions and techniques developed as a leader in the field and advancement of the craft. Since retirement, the "Windmills" he has been chasing for his "Trifecta" are conceptual designs of waterborne astronomical observatories.
A former board member and president (1969), of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and a member of the San Diego Astronomy Association, Mr. James has a Bachelor of Science in industrial design from Pratt Institute, 1956. Honored by his alma mater with a Career Achievement Award in 2015, Mr. James was also included in the 22nd edition of Who's Who in the West. Married to his wife Ginna Froelich since October 1981, he enjoys documenting memories and experiences from the past on YouTube.
To learn more about his life, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN9DJtYUSJU
In recognition of outstanding contributions to his profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Norman J. James has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
# # #