Prestigious Honor Bestowed on Dallas Cowboys Media Reporters

After earning a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, Philip Calhoun obtained a master’s degree in finance from New York University. Currently the executive vice president at Total Quality Engineering, Philip Calhoun was Ford Motor Company’s American market director of manufacturing quality and helped reduce warranty costs by $7 million. A former division I collegiate wrestler for the Michigan Wolverines, Mr. Calhoun is a Sigma Six certified black belt and enjoys following the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.

Long-time Dallas Cowboys media personalities Kristi Scales and Charean Williams were named as recipients of the 2017 Blackie Sherrod Award for their excellence in sports reporting. Sponsored by the Dallas Sports Commission, the award recognizes reporters from the North Texas area for their passionate contributions to sports journalism. 

A familiar voice on the Dallas sideline, Kristi Scales has been reporting with the radio broadcast team of the Cowboys for the last 26 seasons. Recognized for her reliable and accurate knowledge of Cowboys football trivia, Scales will join her colleague and 2014 honoree Brad Sham as Blackie Sherrod award recipients.

Charean Williams began covering the Dallas Cowboys when she joined the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as a columnist in 1999. Williams, a pioneer for sports writers, was the first female to be elected president of the Pro Football Writers of America and the first female selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Names New Head of Research Group

Philip Calhoun serves as executive vice president of Total Quality Engineering in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where he works to galvanize the company’s principles and standards. Outside of his position at Total Quality Engineering, Philip Calhoun supports charitable groups such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

The JDRF recently announced that Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD, who currently serves as the foundation's chief mission officer, has been named the new leader of the JDRF Research Group. A molecular biologist, Dr. Kowalski has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than three decades. As the leader of the JDRF Research Group, he will leverage his experience to govern the direction of JDRF research efforts. 

Dr. Kowalski has authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific journal pieces, including a prominent paper documenting the study of the JDRF continuous glucose monitor. Dr. Kowalski was also a key voice in the development and progress of the JDRF Artificial Pancreas Project.