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The Francis T. Bowles Medal

THE FRANCIS T. BOWLES MEDAL

Notable Early Career Achievement by a Young Maritime or Ocean Professional
 

    

2025 Bowles Medal_Kyle Tyson 180x245

 

    

 

          Kyle Tyson  |  Bollinger Shipyards

 

 

 

Kyle Tyson, P.E. is Director of Functional Engineering at Bollinger Shipyards, where he oversees engineering efforts across all government shipbuilding programs, including U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels. With over 10 years of experience in the marine industry, he has led and contributed to the successful design and delivery of complex platforms such as Coast Guard cutters, a variety of barges, and offshore support vessels.

He holds both a B.S. and an M.S. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of New Orleans and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Louisiana. Kyle is also a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) through the American Welding Society and holds a certification in Mass Properties Engineering from the Society of Allied Weight Engineers (SAWE). His career spans the full lifecycle of ship design and construction—from concept development and production engineering to regulatory compliance and field support—while driving technical consistency across programs.

 

  • About The Francis T. Bowles Medal
  • Bowles Medalists

About The Francis T. Bowles Medal

The Francis T. Bowles Medal is for "Notable Early Career Achievement by a Young Maritime or Ocean Professional". 

It was established by the Executive Committee in 2017 in honor of Francis T. Bowles.

Rear Admiral Francis T. Bowles, the youngest naval officer of the U.S. Navy, to hold the title of Rear Admiral, earned significant respect and acclaim early in his naval and professional career and be considered instrumental in the formation of SNAME. He was also elected one of its first Presidents.

The award title is "The Francis T. Bowles Medal." The medal will be made of gold-plated bronze, one side to show likeness of Francis T. Bowles, the other side to show an inscription of award. To be eligible for the medal, as of March 31st of the year awarded, the nominee must be a Member, concurrent to time of nomination, and also must meet the age limit of 35 as of March 31st of the award year. SNAME volunteer service will be considered as a positive factor, but is not required. Anyone may nominate.

The selection of the nominee for the medal shall be made by the Awards Committee of SNAME. The nomination by the Committee and final award by the Council will require a two-thirds vote of the Committee. Notification of the award will be made prior to the SNAME Maritime Convention (formerly the Annual Meeting) and the medal will be presented with suitable ceremonies at the SNAME Maritime Convention or at such time as the President of SNAME may arrange. The medal may be awarded annually.

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