Julius Knapp (left) receives the Luddy award from Robert Weller.
During the recent Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers’ Annual FCC Staff Reception, FCC Chief of Office of Engineering and Technology Julius “Julie” Knapp was named as the 2016 recipient of the E. Noel Luddy Award.
This award recognizes an individual, usually an FCC staffer, for meritorious service to the telecommunications industry. According to Robert Weller, who delivered remarks and presented the award, Knapp, award namesake Noel Luddy and previous recipients have displayed engineering talent, character — especially displayed by readily sharing expertise and have made significant contributions to the telecom industry.
The inaugural award was given out in 2000.
Knapp is a 1974 graduate of the City College of New York and is a career FCC employee. He became chief of the FCC Lab in 1994, and later was named chief of the Policy and Rules Division, deputy office chief, and since 2006, has been chief of OET.
According to Weller, Knapp has helped to streamline the equipment authorization process and “encouraged the development of wireless medical technologies, including devices intended to restore motion to the disabled and a semblance of sight to the blind.”
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler also presented via video. He described Knapp as a “National Treasure.”
