William Hayes of East Islip Accepts Cogswell Award for Outstanding Industrial Security Excellence & Achievement on Behalf of Retlif Testing Laboratories

Ronkonkoma, NY; August 26, 2014 – Walter Poggi of Nesconset and William Hayes of East Islip were recently presented Defense Security Service’s prestigious Cogswell Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement Award on behalf of Ronkonkoma’s Retlif Testing Laboratories during the annual National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) training seminar at National Harbor, Maryland. The Cogswell Award was given to Retlif Testing Laboratories, a globally recognized strategic compliance organization that is among the USA’s leading independent testing laboratories, for its demonstration of industrial security excellence and outstanding achievement in matters related exclusively to a facility’s security program.

Mr. Poggi, Retlif Testing Laboratories President, commented, “The Cogswell Award criteria focuses on the establishment and maintenance of security programs that far exceed basic National Industrial Security Program requirements. We are pleased to be so recognized by the Defense Security Service.”

Established in 1966, The Cogswell Award is named in honor of the late Air Force Colonel James S. Cogswell, the first Chief of Industrial Security within the Department of Defense. Colonel Cogswell developed the basic principles of the Industrial Security Program, which emphasize the industry–government partnership to protect classified information. This partnership ultimately ensures the greatest protection for the U.S. warfighter and our nation’s classified information.

Mr. Hayes, Retlif Testing Laboratories Vice President, added, “The Cogswell Award selection process is rigorous. Nominees must have a minimum of two consecutive superior industrial security review ratings and demonstrate a sustained degree of excellence and innovation in their overall security program management, implementation and oversight. Retlif is one of only 40 to have received this honor out of over 13,000 defense contractors.”

Retlif Testing Laboratories, with two locations on Long Island, as well as New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington DC, is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2014.

# # #

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured from left to right at the annual National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) training seminar at National Harbor, Maryland where Retlif Testing Laboratories was presented the Cogswell Award for Outstanding Industrial Security Excellence & Achievement are: Walter A. Poggi, President, Retlif Testing Laboratories; William K. Hayes, Executive VP- FSO, Retlif Testing Laboratories; Stanley L. Sims, Director, Defense Security Service; Donald E. Dwyer, Assistant FSO, Retlif Testing Laboratories; and Rick Lawhorn, Director of Field Operations, Defense Security Service.