2018 Distinguished Alumni Award: For leadership, corporate development, and significant contributions in the field of electromagnetics. Parviz Parhami (BSEE '74, MS '76, PhD '79) of Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA), Inc., Cypress, CA. Parviz Parhami is a recognized national expert in the aircraft EMP hardening area and a co-author of the MIL-STD-3023 (Aircraft HEMP Standard). He has led the development of innovative EMP instrumentation systems (CASSPER, MIIS, CWI-Net) and data management tools (IDAWS, DREAM, TODREAM). In 1989, Parhami founded Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA), Inc., a multidisciplinary research and development company, primarily in support of the Department of Defense community. He has served as Chief Executive Officer since the company's inception and, under his leadership, SARA has grown from a staff of two to its current team of more than 140 employees, reflecting a balanced team of exceptionally talented technologists and senior management. Parhami's expertise in electromagnetics has established SARA as a nationally recognized contractor providing full range of High Altitude Nuclear EMP (HEMP) assessment, hardness design, technology development and test services for C4I facilities, ships and aircraft. Parhami received all of his academic education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, culminating in his PhD with a focus on electromagnetics. Upon graduation, he began his career at TRW, joining the Space and Defense system team where he worked on Aircraft HEMP modeling, hardening, assessment, and test technologies. Parhami has presented at several conferences, published several papers, holds two utility patents, is a member of the Dean of Engineering's Advisory Board at California State University Long Beach (CSULB) and, received the Harold Scharper Achievement Award from the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois (2013). A resident of Long Beach, California, he is married to Karen, an attorney, and is the proud father of Sarah, Eva, and Isaac.