Professional engineer Rob Henry, P.E. of Bremerton’s Art Anderson & Associates was awarded the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau’s Tourism Promoter of the Year Award for 2000. He was honored for his work with the Bremerton Historic Ships Association and the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair.

Henry has served on the board of the Bremerton Historic Ships Association for the past several years. As this year’s President, he led the campaign to dry-dock the USS Turner Joy for restoration.

With the cooperation of former Sen. Slade Gordon and Congressman Norm Dicks and their staffs, Will Lent of the Puget Sound Naval Base Association, the City of Bremerton, Port of Bremerton, and many community businesses and private parties, the group raised $750,000 for the dry-docking, insuring the long-term viability of the USS Turner Joy. It is estimated that the ship draws 35,000 visitors to the Bremerton waterfront each year.

The Washington State Science and Engineering Fair at Olympic College also brings a large number of people to the area each spring to compete and observe. Henry has judged this competition every year since 1984, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the event, has been involved with promotions that bring 350 students, their schools, friends, and family to the area.