Dr. Joseph W. Nichols, a senior-level executive, is a recipient of the 2019 Presidential Rank Award - Meritorious Senior Professional category.  This award is presented to individuals for sustained professional, technical, and/or scientific achievement recognized on a national or international level.  Nominations are evaluated by boards of private citizens and approved by the president.  Only 5 percent of Senior Executive Service and Senior Professionals may receive the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award.

Dr. Nichols earned a master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1987.

Dr. Nichols is the Technical Advisor for Flight Test and Evaluation, Air Force Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, CA.  In this role he is the senior technical advisor to the AFTC Commander regarding health and suitability of airframe, avionics, installed propulsion, and electronic warfare flight and supporting ground test capability across AFTC’s test ranges and facilities valued at more than $31 billion, including 116 aircraft and 164 ground test facilities.

The full list of recipients is located on the OPM website.