Accounting and Finance.

Major Command Headquarters or Higher

Distinguished

Master Sergeant Robert W. Bozarth

HQ Air Combat Command

Langley Air Force Base, VA

As the HQACC/FM liaison, Master Sergeant Robert W. Bozarth solved over 1,000 tough pay cases elevated from the bases this year--he is the fix-it guy for the Air Combat Command. His dazzling response to the CSAF's (Chief of Staff, USAF) challenge to fix pay problems reduced a massive backlog of pay cases, generating incredible results in closing 44,000 cases while slashing aged cases by 80 percent--Air Combat Command Best in the Air Force. MSgt Bozarth's personal actions put millions of dollars of hard-earned pay entitlements into airmen's pockets.

Meritorious

Mr. Thomas J. McDonald

Coast Guard Exchange System

Chesapeake, VA

Mr. Thomas J. McDonald significantly improved the nonappropriated fund (NAF) cash management programs, generating annual savings of over $120,000. After selecting a new bank based on thorough analyses, he negotiated the best possible rates and reduced banking costs by 40 percent, saving $70,000 annually, and enhanced services to allow more robust and more secure access to account information. In addition, he significantly improved management of the NAF portfolio by bringing the management of the portfolio in-house, saving $52,000 per year.

Meritorious

Ms. Wanda L. Smith

Defense Threat Reduction Agency 

Fort Belvoir, VA

Ms. Wanda L. Smith's commitment to sound financial management resulted in the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) receiving an unqualified audit opinion for fiscal year 2004. She is recognized as having meticulously orchestrated the DTRA comptroller modernization initiative that led to a greater understanding of financial compliance and that served as benchmarks for financial management at other Department of Defense (DoD) organizations. In addition, she laid the groundwork for continued improvements and corrective actions in order to achieve compliance in the Chief Financial Officers Act, Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act, Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board standards, and DoD-accelerated reporting timelines.

Unit Under a Major Command

Distinguished

Technical Sergeant Ensigne O. Williams

96th Comptroller Squadron,

Eglin Air Force Base, FL

In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Technical Sergeant Ensigne O. Williams was solely responsible for accounting for $11 million cash/electronic funds transfer (EFT) vendor payments that helped to rebuild the Iraqi economy. Only one EFT payment was made prior to his arrival; the EFT process is now standard. As an instrumental member of the Eglin AFB task force that was forward-deployed for Hurricane Ivan, he in-processed 493 evacuated personnel within 72 hours. In addition, TSgt Williams was selected as 2004 HQACMA FM and the 96th Comptroller Squadron NCO of the Year.

Meritorious

Ms. Marion Holgate

435th Comptroller Squadron

Ramstein Air Base, Germany

Ms. Marion Holgate was selected the number one civilian, GS-11 and above, for all of United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Financial Management and number one 2004 squadron and wing staff civilian. She managed USAFE's largest government purchase card program, with over 300 accounts and 2,000 cardholders. Ms. Holgate was also responsible for USAFE's seamless transition to Wide Area Work Flow.

Meritorious

Master Sergeant Karen M. Gandy

Air Combat Command

Holloman Air Force Base, NM

Master Sergeant Karen M. Gandy is the Air Combat Command FM SNCO of the Year, #1 of 113. She was responsible for meeting the financial needs of over 1,000 troops on bases throughout Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, processing emergency cash payments for Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps troops. An inspiring leader, she overcame a 40 percent manning shortfall and personnel inexperience to lead a section to an all-time high performance; for example, travel voucher timeliness went from 68 percent to 98 percent.