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DALLAS -- Texas Instruments announced that Dr. Vincent M. McNeil will be recognized by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) as "Pioneer of the Year" for his achievements as a research engineer and entrepreneurial business manager. Dr. McNeil was selected from a distinguished group of professionals and will receive his award at the 6th annual NSBE Golden Torch Awards on Thursday, March 20th in Anaheim, Calif. Gregg Lowe, TI Senior Vice President and High Performance Analog Worldwide Manager, has worked with Dr. McNeil for several years. "Vince brings an enormous amount of capability to TI -- he is a bright intellect, a strong motivator, a visionary leader and a caring manager," said Mr. Lowe. "It is rare to see such broad attributes in any one individual, and indeed is an inspiration to see firsthand." The awards ceremony, which recognizes community and technical excellence in leadership among institutions, companies and individuals, will be held during NSBE's 29th Annual National Convention and Career Fair. Awards are given to individuals and companies that best exemplify the ideals of NSBE: to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who exceed academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. Dr. McNeil joined TI in 1994 as a researcher in TI's Kilby Research & Development Center, where his contributions lead to his election as Member Group Technical Staff on TI's Technical Ladder. In his current role as a business manager, Dr. McNeil, is responsible for the operations of all local business functions of TI's Video and Imaging business in Japan, including driving new product development, especially in the areas of digital still cameras, digital video cameras and other emerging portable multimedia products and end-equipments. Other honors Dr. McNeil has received include the 2002 Black Engineer of the Year Award for Professional Achievement, an AT&T Bell Labs Cooperative Research Fellowship from 1985 to 1991, and a Monbusho Research Scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Science and Education in 1988. Dr. McNeil has also been awarded, to date, six US patents. Dr. McNeil is originally from Marion, N.C. He was raised in Connecticut and attended Mira Mesa High school in San Diego, Calif. Dr. McNeil is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned three electrical engineering degrees, including a Doctorate of Philosophy, Masters of Science, and a Bachelor of Science degree. Prior to moving to Japan, Dr. McNeil was involved with his community in North Dallas. He spent much of his free time with his family at church, assisting with bible study classes for elementary school children or volunteering on the church's Benevolence Committee. He has also given talks at local high schools, and was a Director of the Board for the Dallas Chapter of the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation from 1995 to 1999. TI's innovative diversity programs are paving the way to achieving measurable progress in recruiting and retaining talented individuals from traditionally under-represented groups. The company has been named to US Black Engineer's "Best Companies for African-Americans," NSBE's "Golden Torch Award for Diversity Leadership in Industry," and Diversity Magazine's "Top Six Diversity Employers" list, among many other accolades. In addition, a number of TI employees have received similar prestigious awards, including several Black Engineer Awards in individual areas of expertise, "Women of Color Technology Awards" and other NSBE "Golden Torch Awards" recognizing employees' contributions to engineering, science, technology and community.