Mr. Michael Cates began his Department of Energy (DOE) career in 1993 as a Federal Contractor for the Idaho Operations Office (ID) – three years after earning a degree in Fire Safety and Technology from Oklahoma State University. Since then, Mr. Cates served as a fire protection engineer for various DOE-ID facilities and is presently the fire protection engineer for the Research & Education Complex located in Idaho Falls, ID. Despite over 22 years of active engagement in the DOE fire protection community; he is being awarded today for his actions that took place nearly 17 years ago.