9th Annual Professional Development Day Women Of Defense 2018 Conference Program | Page 13

Glenda Bluhm
Trailblazer Award
Recipient
Donna L. Scassera
About the Recipient
Donna L. Scassera is the President and CEO of
DLS Engineering Associates, Inc., a professional
engineering and integrated logistics firm serving
federal government customers for over thirty years.
She established DLS in 1995 on her kitchen table
shaping it from an idea to a formidable industry
leader. DLS provides engineering, logistics and IT
services focused on improving the performance,
reliability and long-term stability of aviation and
maritime assets and logistics systems. DLS has
offices in Virginia Beach and Elizabeth City, NC, and
operates throughout the eastern seaboard. Scassera
has successfully led DLS by staying true to her
values and using her background as an accredited
professional engineer. Prior to DLS, Scassera was a
senior project engineer and contracts manager for
13 years at M. Rosenblatt & Son, Inc. She delivered a
wide range of engineering and program management
services to all major classes of U.S. Navy surface ships
and conducted over 300 shipboard inspections and
surveys. Ms. Scassera started her career as a process
engineer at Shell Oil Company.
In her spare time she is a long-time supporter of
Old Dominion University, and of women in the
traditionally male-dominated field of engineering.
Scassera has served on the board of Old Dominion
University’s Frank Batten College of Engineering and
Technology since 2013. As a founding member of the
Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) and Women of
Philanthropy, she mentors young women pursuing
professions in science and technology.
Donna L. Scassera
President and CEO, DLS Engineering Associates, Inc.
Among her honors, in 2015 Old Dominion
University’s Engineering Systems Building, was
rededicated in her honor and named the Donna
Lynn Scassera Atrium and Dean’s Suite. Scassera
received the ODU Honorary Alumni Award and
the ODU College of Engineering and Technology
Service Award, both in 2014. While serving as the
National Vice President of the American Society of
Naval Engineers (ASNE), she received the 1999 ASNE
President’s Award for exceptional achievements in
support of the society and the Frank G. Law Award
in 1996, which recognized her dedication and service
to ASNE.
Scassera earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil
Engineering from Penn State University. She has
maintained a Professional Engineer license since
1982 and is a strong supportive member of Women
in Defense Greater Hampton Roads. She has two
daughters and resides in Norfolk.
13 | WID Greater Hampton Roads - Smart, Strong, Professional