UFH: Gary Dillard

[Barry Bonzack]

Congrats Gary Dillard! I was proud to know who you were right when I met you at UCF. I was even more proud when you knew who I was before I introduced myself. You have a great bunch of students and one of my absolute favorite teams. Great teams derive from great mentors. Congratulations again.


Edit: I just recalled my first memory of Gary Dillard before I actually knew who he was... I was in the stands at the 2004 Championship event hanging out with some of my SPAM buddies. They had just won their match and I was laughing at my friends who were doing the peculiar SPAM cheer. As I turned around and looked up I noticed the parents and the mentors (Mr. Dillard was right behind me) were also singing and kicking their legs up as well. Now THAT is a spirited bunch! I was stunned, my team (1390 after their rookie year) complained about having hats with ears attached to them, and here SPAM had students constantly cheering and singing. I loved the atmosphere and vowed to do what I could to try to make whatever team I became a part of more like SPAM.

[Jay H 237]

Congratulations Gary!

[KathieK]

Congratulations, Gary!
(If there were an actual award associated with this, I can picture Gary clutching it saying, "Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine."!!!)

[Rich Kressly]

Congrats Gary! It was a true pleasure to finally meet you in person it Atlanta. You dedication and spirit are true assets to the FIRST community.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations, Gary.
It is always nice to see someone who works so well with students get recognition. A great guy from a great team, keep up the good work.

[richardp]

Congrats to Gary Dillard. I was able to meet him in Atlanta because he was looking for Heidi and her Dave buttons.

[Warren Boudreau]

Dude!!!! Congrats, man.

I think I've known Gary longer than most of the Chief Delphi members have been around.

It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with you both on the job and with Team SPAM.

[Billfred]

Congrats, Gary!!

I first met Gary at the 2004 Robot Rodeo, after dealing with him for a while here on CD. If it weren't for him, I think I might still be in Orlando helping the crew get the matches in. He got the brilliant idea to cut the matches down to four, and move around the right teams. Then, once it turned out that TacOps didn't like our scheme, he was right in there cranking out rankings. (I only take credit for the bad handwriting on the white board.)

Gary's a great guy--now we just have to get him up to Palmetto sometime!

<edit>By the way, I think you have the wrong picture up there. Supposedly there's a far better picture somewhere, but every time I ask about it, I'm told I'm not supposed to see it. </edit>

[Amanda Morrison]

Congratulations to Gary Dillard, our next Unsung Hero. This honor is well deserved.

[MissInformation]

Way to go, Gary! You're the nicest person I know who's ever tried to kill me with a mint!

Oh, and you are well deserving of this honor!

Heidi

[Anne Shade]

Congratulations Gary!!! I had the opportunity to work for Gary during my internship several summers ago. He's great at his job, a wonderful father to his children, and a great and caring mentor. Congratulations again Gary.

[chucktchr173]

Great Job Gary Congratulations That was one cool year working with you Keep inspiring us grunts in the trenches. You really deserve all the accolades Keep SPAMMIMN and JAMMIN

[DCA Fan]

Yay Gary! Congrats!

[EricS-Team180]

Gary, I am so happy to see you get this recognition!

It's a priviledge to be a part of SPAM with you...and a heck of a lot of fun. You are a great mentor and a great engineer.

Eric

[Jaine Perotti]

Congratulations Mr. Dillard!

I have heard alot of wonderful things about you from those who have had a chance to meet you. While I haven't met you, I understand that your work as a mentor has been outstanding, and you have inspired and touched the lives of many. Many of us can only aspire to be as great of a mentor as you.

I commend you for being recognized as our next UFH.

Thank you,

Jaine