Annual awards program.

Individual Achievement Award

An ongoing awards program presented annually to individuals who have been nominated for outstanding accomplishment within one of the functional fields of Comptrollership. Areas for recognition are Accounting and Finance; Analysis and Evaluation; Auditing; Budgeting; Business Management; Comptroller/Deputy Comptroller; Contractor Support; Education, Training and Career Development; Manpower Management; Resource Management; and Intern/Trainee.

Team Achievement Award

This award is presented to teams of four to fourteen individuals, within or across comptroller disciplines. Criteria include impact on the way the organization, DoD financial community, U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve establishment operates. The award category recognizes outstanding team performance, accomplishments, adoption of study results, outcome or savings, and excellence in the advancement of military comptrollership.

Essay Contest

Three awards are presented for outstanding essays on a specified topic. The winning essays are published in the Armed Forces Comptroller magazine. The topic for the 2003-2004 annual program was "How Will Expeditionary Wars Such As Iraq and Afghanistan Change the People and Processes of Defense Financial Management?"

Editorial Award

This award is presented to the authors of the best articles published in the four issues of the Armed Forces Comptroller magazine in the year preceding the National PDI.

Research Award

This award recognizes individual or team efforts resulting in a specific written product that encapsulates the research effort, finding, and recommendations. Awards are given to reports deemed to be significant or singularly outstanding.

Members' Continuing Education Program

Grants are provided to members of ASMC to aid in financing their academic endeavors.

Scholarship Program

Monetary scholarships are presented to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and academic achievements.

National President's Awards

Each year, the National President of ASMC recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the Society and/or the military comptrollership field.

Chapter Competition

This award program is designed to encourage chapter programming that fulfills the mission of the Society. Chapters compete in their size category and are awarded points in eleven different fields of programming. Areas of competition for which chapters obtain points include membership, manuscripts, educational activities, monthly meetings, awards programming, newsletters, sponsorship of new chapters, publicity, research, community service, and reporting.

Membership Growth

Three awards are given to chapters that achieve substantial percentage or actual membership growth. All chapters with membership growth are eligible. In addition, a Recruiter of the Year is chosen in each chapter size category.

Community Service

This program rewards a chapter's sustained effort in service to its community. Chapters must complete a minimum of one year of continuous voluntary service or demonstrate leadership in organizing, implementing, and/or administering a continuous voluntary service program.

Corporate Member

This award recognizes a corporate member for outstanding contributions made to a local chapter and the national organization in the furtherance of the goals of the chapter and the Society. Nominee must have been a corporate member for at least two consecutive years.

Chapter Leadership

This award is designed to recognize outstanding members who have demonstrated their commitment to the advancement of the Society at the chapter level.

Newsletter Competition

Awards are presented for the chapter newsletters that best foster internal chapter communication and professionalism. Awards are based on content and quality of presentation.

Five Star Competition

This award is presented to any chapter that sets a standard of effort for well-rounded chapter performance. The chapter must report throughout the year in areas of administration, meetings, and newsletters. The competition is divided into two categories, Distinguished and Meritorious, with different requirements for each.

Accounting and Finance

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Master Sergeant Jeffrey Banks

HQ U.S. Air Forces in Europe/FM

Ramstein Air Base, Germany

During the final phases of the workload transfer to DFAS Limestone, Master Sergeant Jeffrey Banks and his staff billed and collected over $348 million in working capital funds while reducing bill-processing time from ten to four days with a 99 percent timeliness rate, exceeding the DFAS standard of 95 percent; reduced delinquent receivables by 90 percent, recouping in excess of $300,000; and identified an additional $120,000 in vendor overpayments. He found the time to write a Career Field Education and Training Plan core task, on-the-job training package that was subsequently adopted by the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management. In addition, he organized volunteers for USO to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Meritorious

First Lieutenant Torin K. Hamilton

U.S. Army Special Operations

Command, Fort Bragg, NC

While deployed in-theater for U.S. Army Special Operations Forces, First Lieutenant Torin K. Hamilton met and overcame extraordinary obstacles to ensure finance support to soldiers under extraordinary circumstances. He planned, organized, and deployed a team that provided support to over 10,000 forces in the region. He deployed to bases in Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, Romania, and Iraq. 1LT Hamilton disbursed over $9 million, worked and resolved over 800 pay issues, and transported $13 million to finance offices in Jordan.

Unit Under A Major Command Distinguished

Captain (P) Darriel A. Burleson

U.S. Army Finance School

Fort Jackson, SC

Captain (P) Darriel A. Burleson has professionally developed over 450 finance officers and civilians at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and at off-site locations around the world. His efforts as a training developer were instrumental in the development and revision of the Disbursing Operations Course and the Finance Officer Basic and Career courses. He also volunteered to train several Reserve and National Guard units called up to support operations in the theater. CPT Burleson's tireless efforts have made significant impacts in developing junior finance officers who performed admirably in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Meritorious

Ms. Debora A. McCarty

U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft Repair and Supply Center, Elizabeth, NJ

With a limited staff, Ms. Debora McCarty closed fiscal year 2002 with 55 journal entries in a week's time frame. Immediately she started to prepare for FY 2003 close-out. Her goal was to close out in an automated manner with minimal interruption. She worked with the Information System Division on over 200 program changes to identify the specifications for necessary changes. Ms. McCarty closed out FY 2003 and opened FY 2004 by 1200 hours, October 2. She had accomplished the impossible with less than 20 hours of overtime.

Meritorious

Mr. Christopher M. Hoke

Military Pay, Kirkland Air Force Base, NM

Mr. Christopher M. Hoke led the project implementation of the Defense Travel System. He organized and developed training classes, worked with TEAM KIRKLAND's resource advisors, and set up the DTS help desk to provide timely assistance and information to the entire installation. He single-handedly eliminated numerous errors, streamlined procedures for keeping the DTS database up to date, and ensured 100 percent accurate data. He was sought out by other MAJCOMs as one of the experts for DTS; he trained AF Space Command personnel on implementation policies and procedures, directly impacting other Air Force bases.

Meritorious

Command Sergeant Major David L. Dahl

U.S. Property and Fiscal Office

Indianapolis, IN

Command Sergeant Major David L. Dahl was responsible for successful conversion for one of five test sites to the Standard Army Finance System (STANFINS). He was also charged with developing business practices for the entire accounting section to be able to function in the STANFINS environment. CSM Dahl created very detailed standard operating procedures for use by all accounting technicians. The National Guard Bureau adopted several portions of these procedures for nationwide use.

Analysis and Evaluation

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Major Christopher D. Purvis

HQ U.S. Air Force, Pentagon

Washington, D.C.

Major Christopher D. Purvis's outstanding performance provided substantial improvements to the cost visibility of the $6.1-billion Air Force flying hour program, with immediate application in and outside the service. Conducting critical research, he developed a statistical analysis that provided valuable costing insights in relation to spare parts and operations tempo and showed that existing programs were unable to adequately portray annual cost requirements. Reviewing spares consumption data for over 180,000 items and 2.5 million transactions, Major Purvis determined price/inflation was the primary cost driver. This analysis was accepted by the Rand Corporation as a methodology to calculate price impacts, and it allowed the Air Force to better focus cost-savings activities, reducing spares funding by over $200 million a year. These insights provided clarity to funds execution, allowed for adjustments in actual costs, and avoided a dramatic understatement of out-year funding needs.

Meritorious

Lieutenant John M. Burns

HQ U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, D.C.

An outstanding financial analyst, systems integrator, and resource manager, Lieutenant John M. Burns provided superior support to the Coast Guard's resource and operational communities. Manager of the Coast Guard's Integrated Budget System, he served over 400 users and responded to over 900 requests for assistance. This work was essential to the execution of over $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2003. Tightening the link between budget formulation and execution, Lt. Burns led an initiative to integrate the electronic resource proposal system. This integration improved the visibility of Coast Guard's $410-million budget increment and enhanced the budgetary audit trail. In resource management, Lt. Burns refined, operated, and Web-based two different budget models, allocating over $118 million in Coast Guard operating funds. His dramatic improvement to both of these models improved accessibility for customers in the field and created a level of visibility to foster further enhancements.

Meritorious

Lieutenant Colonel Crispin Monge

Office of the G8, U.S. Army Pentagon

Washington, D.C.

To correct inconsistencies between applications including business processes related to statutory and nonstatutory requirements, Lieutenant Colonel Crispin Monge embarked on an effort to redefine how Reserve Component man-days were being calculated and programmed. Through in-depth analysis, LTC Monge developed the concept of a single automation tool that would accurately and consistently calculate and program both statutory and nonstatutory Reserve Component man-days required for schools and special training. The new MANDAY utility operates in a Web-based push/pull technology to allow integration with several databases, providing to users a needed tool to develop cost estimates and apply funding scenarios against identified requirements. The MANDAY utility allows for near real-time access, delivery, and reception of hundreds of critical data element changes. This Army-wide system increases data accuracy, reduces the potential for human error, and provides a very stable, reportable audit trail.

Under a Major Command Distinguished

Mr. Wilbur A. Jameson

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH

A superb cost analyst, Mr. Wilbur A. Jameson effectively and efficiently coordinated the efforts of diverse groups of program office managers, technical experts, functional users, contractors, and analysts to develop and refine solutions across several programs. The leader of an independent cost estimate for sustainment of the Depot Maintenance Accounting and Production System, he refined the cost estimate, resulting in a decrease of $1.7 million of the program office estimate. Using a variety of analytical techniques, Mr. Jameson authored the Business Case Analysis for the Enterprise Data Warehouse. With a cost/benefit ratio of 400 percent, a payback period of 4.5 years, and an estimated potential savings of $1.5 billion over 15 years, this project will increase functionality and eliminate redundancies. Applying these same exceptional analytical skills to ongoing projects, Mr. Jameson effectively used two separate techniques to assess contract performance against the planned schedule and costs. His work identified significant cost overruns of $6 million, allowing contracts to be rescoped to ensure the most effective use of limited resources.

Meritorious

Ms. Liliana Rosario

AFFTC/FMC

Edwards Air Force Base, CA

Cutting-edge, critical thinker Ms. Liliana Rosario exhibits a tenacity and leadership that allowed her to positively impact a variety of organizations. Through her innovative costing initiatives, she identified problems with the contractor rate development process. Through a concerted effort, she reengineered the process, reduced hundreds of steps, and eliminated the potential for use of incorrect reference data. The new contractor rate process now provides full visibility of actual expenses with one standard labor rate that has resulted in the recovery of over $29 million. Dedicated to customer service, improvement of analytical products, and rapid execution of rates, Ms. Rosario revamped and staggered rate development timelines for key business lines. Her efforts in this area dramatically improved accuracy and decreased overtime requirements by 87 percent.

Auditing

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Mr. Douglas J. Palowitch

Naval Audit Service

Washington, D.C.

Mr. Douglas J. Palowitch, as the project manager on the audit of the Digital Modular Radio (DMR) Program, directly enabled the Department of the Navy to put $302.7 million in monetary benefits to better use. His audit concluded that the DMR program had not met its cost, schedule, and performance objectives, as required by Defense acquisition policy and guidance. In response to his recommendations, the PEO reprogrammed $278 million to satisfy other needs and used 24 radios already procured based on unsupported requirements to satisfy $15.7 million of other valid needs.

Meritorious

Mr. Milford Brumfield Jr.

Air Force Audit Agency

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH

Mr. Milford Brumfield's evaluation of aircraft maintenance activities affecting depot operations and Air Force readiness identified excess standard depot work operations, contributing over $134.4 million to losses during fiscal year 2001 and production delays from 36 to 146 days that limited availability of aircraft to meet mission requirements. Mr. Brumfield sampled six different aircraft types from the three major Air Force depots and found that, for fiscal year 2001, depots accomplished 1.3 million hours of unplanned work without corresponding payments. His straightforward presentation of this highly complex and controversial issue convinced senior Air Force leaders to readily accept his conclusions and immediately implement his recommendations. Mr. Brumfield is a member of the ASMC Aviation Chapter.

Meritorious

Ms. Amy M. Johnson

Air Force Audit Agency

Robins Air Force Base, GA

Ms. Amy M. Johnson distinguished herself by completing a review of premium pay management for two organizations within the Air Force Reserve Command. Her review covered personnel who were paid more than $800,000 for 33,000 hours of premium pay and identified significant internal control deficiencies over the processes used to manage civilian premium pay. Ms. Johnson expertly used available tools and techniques to evaluate payroll files and identified that management officials did not approve over 15,000 hours (nearly 46 percent) of premium hours worked. Additionally, 96 percent of premium time requests did not contain adequate justification. Ms. Johnson provided invaluable assistance in improving the premium pay process and allowing management personnel to verify that overtime usage was adequately controlled. Ms. Johnson is a member of the ASMC Middle Georgia Chapter.

Unit Under a Major Command Distinguished

Mr. Chris A. Domangue

Air Force Audit Agency

Randolph Air Force Base, TX

Mr. Chris A. Domangue's audit of tuition rates for foreign military sales customers determined that the Command software module used to calculate tuition rates did not include the appropriate pricing methodology and did not comply with public law. Additionally, his analysis of databases used to supply information to the computer module identified significant deviations between authorized and assigned personnel strengths in Command units responsible for flying training. These shortcomings resulted in the understating of military personnel costs by 25 percent. His recommended changes to the module could result in $6.5 million in additional receipts. Mr. Domangue is a member of the ASMC Alamo City Chapter.

Meritorious

Mr. Ronald A. Dauphin

Scott Air Force Base, IL

Mr. Ronald A. Dauphin completed an audit in Foreign Military Sales (FMS)-Tanker Flying Hour Support, during which he determined that not all FMS flying hour support was billed or reimbursed. Using extensive computer-assisted auditing tools and techniques, Mr. Dauphin obtained and manipulated data from various systems to identify FMS sorties. From non-integrated systems and listings, he reviewed records of fuel offloads, tanker tail numbers, sortie mission numbers, and countries supported. His data-mining efforts resulted in the identification of $7.2 million in potential revenue due to Headquarters Air Mobility Command. Mr. Dauphin is a member of the ASMC Land of Lincoln Chapter.

Budgeting

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Mr. Patrick R. Davis

U. S. Transportation Command

Scott Air Force Base, IL

Mr. Patrick R. Davis reduced Department of Defense (DoD) transportation costs by more than $1.1 billion. His detailed analysis of the fiscal year 2005-2009 Transportation Working Capital Fund (TWCF) program and budget generated major savings in two areas: an avoidance of $569 million in flying hour costs and a reduction of $580 million in aircraft maintenance requirements. Additionally, Mr. Davis reduced customer airlift costs by a minimum of $275 million by developing and obtaining approval on a new procedure that provides flexibility to reduce TWCF airlift charter rates in times of heavy contingency workload such as those experienced during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Davis also spearheaded the development of the command financial strategy for U.S. Transportation Command's new role as the DoD Distribution Process Owner.

Meritorious

Mr. R. Ross Hosse

HQ U.S. Air Forces in Europe

Ramstein Air Base, Germany

Mr. R. Ross Hosse is the implementer of the USAFE commander's financial vision. He built his command's $307-million cash flow plan for Operation Iraqi Freedom and had it ready on Day One. Faced with millions of dollars' worth of unfunded mission requirements, he led an extensive review of base maintenance contracts that resulted in $7 million in approved reductions. He resolved a critical vehicle lease shortfall, thus avoiding work stoppages in direct mission support areas. He fixed shortfalls in critical simulator training and in Ramstein Air Base's Contingency Response Group, ensuring mission readiness. Mr. Hosse implemented a new resource tracking system that revolutionized the way his finance management organization does business; expected productivity savings are five weeks per year. Information previously provided to leadership in days now takes only minutes. He optimized $528 million for the Rhein-Main Air Base transition to Germany, ensuring a smooth transition in fiscal year 2005.

Meritorious

Ms. Lisa D. Rabi

U.S. Air Force

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH

Ms. Lisa D. Rabi made significant improvements in one of the F-16 program's largest foreign military sales activities--the $4.2-billion Greece program. Through her efforts to establish sound, defensible budgets for the program, she identified $38 million that Greece can now use on future defense requirements. Ms. Rabi also attacked a long-standing list of Unliquidated Obligations/Negative Unliquidated Obligations (ULO/NULO). Through her rigorous reconciliation of detailed accounting data, unsupportable funds were decommitted, resulting in over $4 million being returned to Greece, which they could use for their Air Force's new requirements. Ms. Rabi shared her effective ULO/NULO resolution approach with her colleagues. Subsequently, there have been significant reductions in other programs' ULO/NULO amounts, loosening up program funds in the millions.

Below a Major Command Distinguished

Master Sergeant Donald C. Cholewa

49 CPTS/FMA

Holloman Air Force Base, NM

Master Sergeant Donald C. Cholewa understands "financing the fight" because he lived through it; he was deployed 173 days to Saudi Arabia in support of the Global War on Terrorism. MSgt Cholewa managed the Expeditionary Mission Support Group budget, which represented 90 percent of the Prince Sultan Air Base budget. He sustained critical financial operations during rapid build-up, working around the clock. MSgt Cholewa streamlined the British reimbursement program by revamping the program to ensure that billings were consistent with the "Scope of Work" in the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA). He identified eight projects for which the British were not billed for services, saving $172,000 for the Department of Defense. MSgt Cholewa created ACSA training aids that prevented redundant research between deployment rotations, saving 63 man-hours. He also assisted in the development of a time-phased procedure guide for the base draw-down plan, creating a benchmark item for export across the AOR. At his home station, MSgt Cholewa fixed transportation billing issues, saving $16,000. He also designed a spreadsheet to capture accounting changes between fiscal years, ending hours of research.

Meritorious

Mr. David F. Green

HQ CECOM

Fort Monmouth, NJ

Through diligence and thorough analysis, Mr. David F. Green will enable Army's CECOM to avoid approximately $12 million in costs in fiscal year 2004. Mr. Green developed a new method for the Army Materiel Command's (AMC) distribution of the Defense Regionalization Marketing Services bill in the Army Working Capital Fund. He based this new method on actual data transactions such as the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) hourly rates for the eight categories of disposition. He downloaded, analyzed, and costed out 1.5 million National Item Identification Numbers and reviewed 3.7 million transactions. This provided a breakout by command of the actual charges DLA uses to bill AMC. AMC and the other commands reviewed and approved the revised methodology and funds distribution. Based on the revised distribution, Mr. Green reduced CECOM's share of the bill by $12 million--a 33 percent savings and an anticipated 4 percent reduction in the surcharge rate that CECOM charges its customers.

Meritorious

Captain Kile R. Dreher

Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center

Kirkland Air Force Base, NM

Captain Kile R. Dreher reached beyond the boundaries of financial management and positively impacted the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center's mission accomplishment. He developed streamlined funds distribution procedures that eliminated the need for a data call and eliminated lengthy quarterly requirements calls, resulting in reductions of 75 percent in funds distribution time and in the resource managers' initial annual workload. Capt. Dreher provided more than $5 million for an unplanned Chief of Staff of the Air Force Quick Reaction Test with results experienced in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This effort resulted in AFOTEC's earning the Air Force Association Test Team of the Year. Capt. Dreher developed an extensive analysis tool to manage his organization's $4.4-million budget, providing a tool to make sound decisions and improving efficiency 30 percent.

Business Management

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Lieutenant Commander Thomas W. Harker

Office of the Commandant

U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, D.C.

Lieutenant Commander Thomas W. Harker, while managing his own $620-million project, volunteered to assume responsibility for the troubled $140-million Great Lakes Icebreaker Project. He corrected erroneous accounting, budgeting, and internal control deficiencies; conducted financial analyses to identify project needs and budget for requirements; and held the contractor accountable for accurate billing to avoid overcharges. LCDR Harker also volunteered and dedicated over 200 hours in a three-week period to reconstruct the Coast Guard's capitalization cost for 10 different capital asset classes totaling more than $1 billion, ensuring that the records met with federal accounting standards. During this same period, he identified over $16 million in savings in his own project, enabling the Coast Guard to make other significant and needed improvements with the savings.

Meritorious

Ms. Sheila Leonard

U.S. Coast Guard Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific

Alameda, CA

Ms. Sheila Leonard, in addition to the routine renewal and award of contracts, expertly oversaw and assisted in the award of several key contracts. She assisted in the competition and award of a task order to provide services to the Coast Guard's Differential Global Positioning System, resulting in reduced rates below that shown in the contract and saving the mark-up usually charged by GSA. She led in the conversion of a contract to a commercial procurement after no available sources were found and ensured that contract award occurred prior to a deadline less than two months away, which resulted in no protests by unsuccessful offerers. She also crafted two solicitations for housing contracts in numerous locations and managed to get the highly competitive contracts awarded in less than three months, without any viable protests. This effort saved the Coast Guard $2.8 million in per-diem costs.

Unit Under a Major Command Distinguished

Mr. Robert W. Adams

Reconnaissance Systems Program Office

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH

Mr. Robert W. Adams provided critical financial advice and guidance to senior Customs and DEA officials and coordinated the transfer of funding necessary to modify a number of small aircraft sensors and radars. Struggling with limited funding, he worked with the C-130J program to structure a contract that could be executed without violating fiscal laws. He ensured that the Predator program was able to maintain an executable program after huge plus-ups and subsequent budget cuts. He also ensured that other programs did not violate fiscal laws by misuse of available funding. Mr. Adams is also active in the community as chair of the Finance Committee at his church.

Meritorious

Mr. James S. Altice

U.S. Coast Guard Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific

Alameda, CA

Mr. James S. Altice volunteered and developed a Multiple-Year, Multi-Option Cost Plus Incentive Fee solicitation to award a contract that provides more comprehensive and flexible maintenance and procurement support for the two aging icebreakers that support the Antarctic mission. This contract allows for advanced planning of routine maintenance and the flexibility to accommodate emergent repairs, providing a better means of contracting where direct contractor involvement in maintenance planning is desired. The incentive structure provides adequate pressure on contractors to keep costs down. Mr. Altice's efforts have allowed the Coast Guard to expend budgeted funds in a more effective manner.

Meritorious

Mr. Juergen Jensen

Defense Commissary Agency

European Region

Mr. Juergen Jensen, budget analyst trainee, developed a database that imports millions of transactions from 35 different business financial systems and summarizes key information into financial statements similar to those found in high-tech corporate financial statements. These statements link historical and current data, graph ability, and display visual trends. They have become an integral part of the day-to-day management and decision-making process. Mr. Jensen also developed a flowchart of all resource management operations and work processes, greatly aiding the DFAS Europe transition to CONUS for all DeCA European accounting. Mr. Jensen has developed programs and worked diligently to improve management of resources in the financial area.

Comptroller/ Deputy Comptroller

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Colonel Daniel J. Dunaway

HQ Air Combat Command

Langley Air Force Base, VA

As the Deputy Comptroller for the largest command in the Air Force, Colonel Daniel J. Dunaway leads the fight to push resources to the warfighter with results. He is a quintessential warrior, leader, and mentor. He leaned forward for $3.7 billion to fund the Global War on Terrorism program and converted dollars to bombs on target, including the U-2 program, RC-135 program, and the AWACS program. Additionally, he introduced innovative solutions such as LeaveWeb to the Air Combat Command, saving each base 20,000 man-hours per year and equaling $5.9 million in savings for the Air Force. He also rolled out three additional modernization efforts, including Defense MilPay Office, Wide Area WorkFlow, and Defense Travel System across the command, creating a major win for the Air Force and the wings. Finally, he slashed Government Travel Card delinquencies to fewer than 4 percent, the lowest rate ever, beating the AF standard by 25 percent.

Unit Under a Major Command Distinguished

Colonel Steven H. Johnson

Comptroller, AEDC

Arnold Air Force Base, TN

Colonel Steven H. Johnson demonstrated super accounting performance, 100 percent on time and accurate. He led the TVA negotiations, saving AEDC over $1 million, using new rate tiers transparent to the customer. He obtained a Cost Accounting Standards waiver to save $800,000 per year by reimbursing a contractor at the Employee Retirement Income Security Act rate versus the Cost Accounting Standards rate. He led AEDC's international standards (ISO) implementation of world-class business and quality standards to be only the second DoD activity ISO registered. He streamlined financial management and other AEDC business processes to save over $850,000 annually. In addition Col. Johnson was Air Force Materiel Command's Financial Management and Comptroller of the Year for fiscal year 2003.

Meritorious

Mr. Mark E. Barkley

Army Aviation and Missile Command

Redstone Arsenal, AL

Mr. Mark E. Barkley's superior leadership resulted in the elimination of $114 million of closing-year unliquidated obligations. He reduced AMCOM's travel card delinquency rate to 1.5 percent, far exceeding Department of the Army's goal of 4 percent, implementing the most effective Travel Card and Travel Payment Programs in the Army. Also, under his leadership the AMCOM Suggestion Program resulted in over $4 million tangible savings last year and has won the Department of Army Civilian Suggester of the Year five times since 1995.

Meritorious

Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Blue

437th Comptroller Squadron

Charleston Air Force Base, SC

Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Blue organized a Tax Repair Team, clearing up 295 Air Force-wide tax problems before April 15, 2003. He ensured that 100 percent PCS settlements were paid within seven days, blowing away AMC's standard of 97 percent. He eliminated callous debts and updated 859 members' pay records within five duty days, representing an incredible 98 percent accuracy rate. He is number one in the Government Travel Card program for least dollars delinquent for 16 consecutive months--reduced to a low of 0.48 percent dollars delinquent. He leads financial management transformation in AMC's implementing myPay wing-wide and serving as a test site for member pay access via LeaveWeb. He leads by example, resurrecting the local Air Force Cadet Officer Mentor Action program and establishing lunchtime mentoring sessions and a "Fit for Duty" program, winning two spirit awards.

Meritorious

Lieutenant Commander Patrick Flynn

Coast Guard Training Center

Yorktown, VA

In early January 2003, Lieutenant Commander Patrick Flynn led a huge logistical operation to support Coast Guard participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. With only five working days' notice to arrange support for an unprecedented round-the-clock training event, he exceeded the Training Center's physical infrastructure in several key areas. LCDR Flynn leased an entire marina for a remote training site, amended the galley contract to provide additional hot meals for hundreds of night students, housed hundreds of students at local hotels, and arranged transportation to and from the hotels to training and meal sites. The Training Center was able to fill key mobilization training gaps for the Atlantic and Pacific Area Commanders because of his superb logistics planning and support. The Navy Times featured this training surge in its March 10, 2003 edition, titled "Coasties train at breakneck pace to meet demands."

Meritorious

Lieutenant Colonel Terry L. Ross

60th Comptroller Squadron

Travis Air Force Base, CA

Lieutenant Colonel Terry L. Ross's leadership transformed his unit, receiving a 96 percent approval rating on his Climate Assessment survey after shifting morale from a low of 11 percent to 77 percent. He guided the Comptroller Squadron to provide outstanding service to the largest active-duty wing in the Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC). He overcame high surges in travel voucher processing while at the same time clearing the backlog and decreasing voucher timeliness from 21 business days to 3 days, shifting from "worst to first" in AMC. He displayed leadership, courage under fire, and financial expertise while assigned as the HQ CJTF-7 Forward, Coalition Provisional Authority, Deputy Comptroller in Baghdad. He was a driving force in the mission success in Iraq. He skillfully negotiated the release of $60 million in Iraqi-seized funds in October 2003 from the Program Review Board to replenish dwindling Commander's Emergency Response Program funds, enabling execution of high-impact projects. Coalition forces commanders touted him as the most effective weapon in Iraq. He was AMC's #1 Financial Management and Comptroller of the Year for 2003.

Contractor Support

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Mr. Troy D. Young

U.S. Air Forces in Europe

Ramstein Air Base, Germany

As senior principal engineer supporting the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Financial Management (USAFE/FM), Mr. Troy D. Young has provided outstanding financial management systems support. He was the key to the development of USAFE/FM theater-wide financial management guidance, establishing positive controls over a myriad of financial management systems. As the Command's lead systems administrator for Travel Manager/Federal Automated Systems for Travel(TM/FAST), his efforts cut through red tape to provide 62 geographically separate units with this system's capabilities. This system has resulted in a 60 percent improvement in timely payments to travel customers and saved 7,600 hours of travel processing time. His training strategy for TM/FAST has resulted in a 25 percent reduction in document failure. Mr. Young's efforts brought the Wide Area Work Flow Invoice Receipt System overseas, thus significantly reducing invoice payments and lost discounts. These and many other financial management systems efforts spearheaded by Mr. Young provide USAFE's comptrollers user-friendly interfaces, significantly reducing processing errors.

Meritorious

Mr. Neil Carter

USAF Pentagon

Washington, D.C.

Mr. Neil Carter is a dynamic leader in his role as financial analyst for SAF/ FMBOO. He has been the office's "go-to" guy for operations and maintenance mission programs in the Air Force. He secured $549 million in additional depot maintenance funds, ensuring that dozens of engine and aircraft overhauls were not deferred. He secured strong justification to Congress on fiscal year 2004 supplemental, resulting in an additional $1.4 billion for total Air Force operations. His expertise as a trainer ensured that the AF budget directorate kept operating smoothly during a period that it experienced a 70 percent turnover rate. He has been the AF authority on the Global War on Terrorism budget, ensuring compliance with Congressional intent and providing a strong audit trail. All of this combined to make Mr. Carter a driving force in the Air Staff Budget Operations Directorate during tumultuous times.

Meritorious

Mr. John H. Childress

U.S. Coast Guard Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific

Alameda, CA

Mr. John H. Childress, an employee of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), made significant improvements in the way the United States Coast Guard Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific interacts with all financial management personnel throughout the Pacific area. He created Web-enabled applications that were easily accessible and provided invaluable financial data for all personnel throughout the western United States. Some examples include the creation of an application that allowed the Coast Guard to maintain control and oversight of all funds transfers while transitioning to a new computerized accounting system. Additionally, Mr. Childress developed a new Activity-Based Spend Plan system that would interface with 25 Coast Guard units, which was used extensively for identifying priority funding needs and facilitated the distribution of $12 million dollars in fiscal year 2003 supplemental funds.

Unit Under a Major Command Distinguished

Mr. Kirk Ferguson

81st Comptroller Squadron

Keesler Air Force Base, MS

Mr. Kirk Ferguson was a pivotal player in the 81st Comptroller Squadron's many successes in leveraging technology to meet its needs. His Comptroller Access Guide (CAG) program was the standard for Air Force financial management and was the breakthrough tool to help comptrollers maintain internal controls and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. He automated the internal control review of Electronic Fund Transfer documents, which saved over 500 work hours Air Force-wide. He then created a "Dollars and Sense" personal budget program that assisted 25,000 airmen in better understanding their finances. His initiative did not stop there; he was the key driver of the first-ever base Customer Contact Center in the Air Force. This Best Practice reduced travel, wait, and process time by 880 hours, enabling that time to be better spent productively at the work centers.

Meritorious

Mr. Ken Fortune

4th Brigade/78th Division, S-3

Fort Bragg, NC

Mr. Ken Fortune is the company president of Russian European Partnership, which specializes in providing security-cleared linguists. Showing exceptional innovation and resourcefulness, Mr. Fortune assisted in readying our forces for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He successfully responded to a short-term solicitation to ensure that all deploying soldiers received culture awareness training. Within two days, Mr. Fortune pulled together a quality team that began training despite minimal guidance. In short order, Mr. Fortune's firm was also providing thousands of hours of linguist support simultaneously at Fort Drum, Fort Stewart, Fort Bragg, and Camp Blanding. Mr. Fortune and his company worked daily to provide quality training to soldiers deploying to a hostile environment. His efforts exemplify the true partnership between the military and contractor organizations. The government received an excellent value and the potential to save military and Iraqi civilian lives.

Meritorious

Mr. Danny L. Maximo

6th Comptroller Squadron

MacDill Air Force Base, FL

Mr. Danny L. Maximo, a unit systems administrator, was integral to the smooth financial operation at MacDill Air Force Base. His efforts directly support the financial processing for the wing, Special Operations Command, and Central Command. Mr. Maximo coordinated the migration of all squadron workstations to a new centralized server, resolved a long-standing computer inventory issue, and consistently served as the AF "ambassador" in dealings with a diversified tenant base at MacDill. This included ensuring that the Defense Travel System was operating properly and taking quick action on several virus attacks, in each case averting operational impacts. Mr. Maximo's support to base personnel is practically boundless. His superb customer service, high competence, and seamless integration with the government workforce ensured the successful operation of over 15 different systems.

Education, Training, and Career Development

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Ms. Elizabeth H. Maher and Ms. Donna S. White

HQ Department of the Navy

Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Ms. Elizabeth H. Maher and Ms. Donna S. White developed and deployed an interactive e-learning course that describes the budget execution process and the use of various funds usage documents. This instructional tool serves as a vital financial management reference document and is the first and most comprehensive interactive training course to be developed within the Department of the Navy financial management community.

Meritorious

<ADD Mr. Arland J. Luster HQ Army Corps of Engineers Washington, D.C. </ADD

Mr. Arland J. Luster distinguished himself in the performance of duties critical to the professional skills, training, and development of financial management careerists by developing and administering budget training through the employment of personal lecturing, facilitating group discussion, and role-playing exercises. He further trained 10 other instructors in course materials and motivated them and students alike, making budget training informative, educational, and enjoyable.

Unit under a Major Command Distinguished

Ms. Linda A. Ramirez

Keesler Air Force Base, MS

Ms. Linda A. Ramirez served as an exemplary steward for continuous improvement of comptroller enlisted training through intensive research and applied computer skills as well as unmatched drive. She developed policies and procedures for 13 separate training courses and served as point of contact or development of an on-line course, trained various instructors, maintained a log of 1,700 students' training status, and facilitated communication between several agencies.

Meritorious

Staff Sergeant Patricia A. Donofrio

DFAS Omaha

Offutt Air Force Base, NE

Staff Sergeant Patricia A. Donofrio directed 18 training classes during 2003 to provide maximum career knowledge and personally ensured certification of all personnel on all core tasks. In doing so, she was recognized during a Staff Assistance Visit as having significantly raised the education and training bar.

Intern/Trainee

Major Command Headquarters and Higher Distinguished

Ms. Belinda D. Hilton

HQ Air Education Training Command

Randolph Air Force Base, TX

Ms. Belinda D. Hilton developed and updated all Global War on Terrorism databases for briefings to HQ AETC senior leadership and Air Staff quarterly and monthly end-of-year reports. She critically reviewed execution and initiated actions to remedy potential program shortfalls with complete success. She demonstrated exemplary leadership, superb attention to detail, and outstanding dedication as a steward of financial resources.

Meritorious

Mr. Sean Kingston

U.S. Coast Guard Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific

Alameda, CA

Mr. Sean Kingston was responsible for assisting the funds transfer manager with the daily input/edit of all funds transfers across the entire Coast Guard Pacific Theatre. He also established a highly effective indoctrination program for all financial managers on Activity Based Costing and assisted with its training.

Unit under a Major Command Distinguished

Ms. Carroll M. Grant

Nellis Air Force Base, NV

Ms. Carroll M. Grant demonstrated unparalleled professionalism, dedication to a job well done, and an exceptional work ethic in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment. Her computer knowledge, skills, and ability were instrumental in the financial management automation and transformation of Nellis Air Force Base. She successfully managed different aspects of the base's budget planning, programming, and execution and participated in a number of diverse projects.

Meritorious

Mr. Dean J. Musenbrock

375th Airlift Wing

Scott Air Force Base, IL

Mr. Dean J. Musenbrock expertly managed one wing staff resource advisor (RA) and seventeen squadron RAs. He was an essential player in processing finance documents through Automated Business Service System, he proactively reviewed detailed open funding documents, and he excelled in every task involving one of the most complex wing budgets.

Resource Management

Major Command Headquarters or Higher Distinguished

Ms. Patti L Daniel

HQ Air Materiel Command

Scott Air Force Base, IL

There is not one person who has deployed more members of the Air Force Financial Management career field to the front line in the Global War on Terrorism than Ms. Patti L. Daniel. In 2003, Ms. Daniel deployed 90 active duty Air Force finance personnel over 8,000 days to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and repatriation missions to forward locations at Al Udeid, Ali al Salem, Ashkhabad, Dushanbe, Islamabad, Jacobabad, Al Dhafra, Bagdad International Airport, Baghdad City, Bagram, Doha, Kirkuk, and Tallil and numerous other locations, some of which are classified. In addition, Ms. Daniel deployed financial personnel to support Air Materiel Command taskings at the Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadrons (EAMS) established in Portugal, England, Spain, Germany, and Kuwait. The Air Expeditionary Force Center Chief Requirements Planner cited Ms. Daniel as the first person she goes to when she needs something done. Ms. Daniel was recognized with the rarely awarded Exemplary Civilian Service Award for her actions supporting the comptroller career field since 9/11. People are a precious resource, and nobody did resource management this year better than Ms. Daniel.

Meritorious

Mr. Robert A. Belchic

HQ Pacific Air Forces

Hickam Air Force Base, HI

Mr. Robert A. Belchic is an undisputed premier comptroller contingency and war-planning expert. Major commands solicit his expertise and counsel on all subjects. He provided critical input to SAF/FMP for revision of the Comptroller Annex to War Mobilization Plan, Part I--beneficial to the entire comptroller community. Every MAJCOM warfighter will use it to write his or her war plans. Mr. Belchic saved hundreds of man-hours for each MAJCOM--a real benefit realized by financial managers deploying on AEFs. He was personally invited by the PACAF Inspector General to serve as an augmentee for five Operational Readiness Inspections throughout PACAF and provided invaluable evaluation and training to prepare units for real-world events.

Unit Under a Major Command

Distinguished

Senior Master Sergeant Bryn LePine

341st Comptroller Squadron

Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT

No person has done more in one year than Senior Master Sergeant Bryn LePine. Air Force impact, joint and coalition support in deployed AOR, and a wing leader all culminated in his selection as AFSPC FM Superintendent of 2003 and Wing Staff Agency SNCO of the Year. Among his many accomplishments, most noteworthy is the fact that he volunteered to replace a struggling agent during Operation Iraqi Freedom--immediate impact on 13 troops' morale and throughput. SMSgt LePine made 600 payments worth $34 million and eliminated payments as old as six months and reduced payment days from ten to two. He displayed brilliant cash management as a deployed superintendent for the largest financial management operation in AOR, supporting over 6,000 troops. His efforts ensured $52 million in supplies and equipment on time and on target, a direct impact on 379 AEW wartime missions. CENTAF/FM sought SMSgt LePine's advice over higher ranking individuals on workload realignment for base closures in AOR. He centralized AOR payments at Al Udeid, allowing forward deployed agents to return home to families early. He implemented e-banking, ensuring force protection by eliminating dangerous bank runs.

Meritorious

Second Lieutenant Antoinette Arnold

DoD Professional Military Comptroller School

Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Second Lieutenant Antoinette Arnold is one of those rare individuals who has the ability to make complicated tasks look easy, the drive to overcome any challenge, and the demeanor that makes her a valuable member of the PMCS staff. She reduced outstanding travel payment obligations from $375,000 to $8,000 within a three-month time frame and ensured that Air University had maximum use of all allocated resources. She attacked Government Travel Card delinquency problems by identifying potential abuses and implementing procedures to prevent future occurrences, resulting in one of the highest delinquent rates in AFMC going to the lowest. 2nd Lt. Arnold served as curriculum chair for the first-ever mini-PDI hosted by Montgomery and Middle Georgia chapters and attended by over 250 people. Visiting SES lauded the mini-PDI as "best seen!" 2nd Lt. Arnold is a first-class professional who fully embodies the spirit and intent of this award.

Meritorious

Senior Airman Alfredo E. Castro

AFFTC

Edwards Air Force Base, CA

Senior Airman Alfredo E. Castro is a benchmark performer who provides first-class mission support. As a Customer Service Support Team Leader, he is the linchpin to AFFTC Financial Management success. His impressive leadership, job knowledge, and military bearing distinguish him as our best airman. SrA Castro volunteered to deploy for an out-of-cycle, Spanish-speaking, 180-day contingency requirement. In his deployed capacity he provided superior performance and expert financial and budget advise to over 300 personnel in the largest USSOUTHCOM unit. SrA Castro always goes above and beyond--he traveled to a bedridden member's house to help the member complete his PCS voucher. He is also a member of the Eagles Honor Guard Team and has performed in 22 veteran and retiree funerals.

Meritorious

Technical Sergeant Jenny B. Killens

DFAS

JAPAN

Technical Sergeant Jenny B. Killens has been a true team player, making a lasting impact on DFAS Japan and the Department of Defense and specifically on our valued customers at Misawa, Kadena, and Yokata air bases. Not only did she do an outstanding job leading the Merged Accountability Fund Reporting Branch throughout the year, but she also volunteered to deploy to a hostile location as paying agent in support of the United States Southern Command's counter-drug mission in South America. In this role she placed her life in harm's way by serving as sole financial representative for 300 DoD personnel. In addition, she was hand-selected as Branch Chief, an outstanding vote of confidence for a junior NCO to fill a GS-11 leadership and manager position.

Team Achievement

Distinguished

US Army, V Corps Resource Management--Deployed Resource Management Team

Team Leader: Colonel Michael A. Toner

The V Corps Resource Management Team deployed civilian volunteers and military personnel in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for Army forces totaling 140,000. The team conducted operations from pre-deployment through staging, attack, and transition to the formation of Coalition Joint Task Force 7. This included developing new funding strategies for operations with the Coalition Provisional Authority and the reconstruction of Iraq. During their almost year-long deployment, the team managed DoD appropriations of O&M, MILCON, and Procurement funding, as well as managing the Iraq Seized, Vested and Developmental Fund and the Iraqi Relief and Reconstruction Fund. The team successfully executed over 6,000 actions in excess ors 1.9 billion and oversaw over 12,000 non-stock transactions of $2.8 billion appropriated funds and $178 million of seized funds and, through due diligence, was able to save approximately $40 million by year end.

Meritorious

U.S. Air Forces in Europe Comptroller Contingency Cell

Team Leader: Major Jose Z. L. Andin

Comprising cross-functional experts, the USAFE Comptroller Contingency Cell was the cornerstone of Air Force Financial Management's success during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The contingency cell transformed a bloated Cold War-era war plan into a lean, expeditionary team supporting a 40,000-strong, multinational force. The contingency cell established manning and equipment at nine new bare-base sites supporting OIF air operations. The contingency cell gained a permanent chair on the USAFE battle staff, ensuring that senior leaders received real-time financial management support during hostile operations. The cell's flexibility and leadership were the keys to its success. After being denied sovereign basing and fly-over rights, the cell adjusted quickly by reducing or redirecting deployed FM forces throughout Europe, including the stand-up of a new site in Romania. As a result, FM agents were properly located and always responsive to operational force requirements, earning high praise from the USAFE Commander and Vice Commander as an "outstanding example of agile combat support."

Meritorious

Naval Supply Systems Command Financial Management Team Mechanicsburg, PA

Team Leader: Mr. Michael T. Madden

The Navy Supply Systems Command Financial Management Team was established to find efficiencies in support of the Navy's goal to realign $10 billion annually for recapitalization and transformation programs. By integrating existing systems and capitalizing on Web-enabled technology and work-flow processes, the team consolidated field comptroller offices from fourteen to four in less than one year. The NAVSUP financial management team overcame challenges of time, location, and corporate concerns, laying out a course of action that ensured that the consolidation was successfully achieved and the local CO's concerns were addressed and resolved. These efforts resulted in a 33 percent savings within the NAVSUP community and generated savings of over $72 million over the FYDP. In addition, the resultant reduction of manual operations and strengthened key financial management processes has created greater fiduciary control in managing Navy resources.

Corporate Member of the Year

Grant Thornton LLP

Chapter Competition

Distinguished

Music City

Sandhills

Washington

Ozark

Meritorious

Aviation

Kansas City

Southside Virginia

Wiregrass

Newsletter

Distinguished

Aloha

Cleveland

Coastal Georgia

Fort Meade

Meritorious

Central NY Leatherstocking

Music City

Rio Grande

Washington

Community Service

Alamo City

Aloha

Aviation

Big D

Blue Angel

Bluegrass

Buckeye

Central Missouri

Central NY Leatherstocking

Central Texas

Chesapeake

Cleveland

Coastal Georgia

Indianapolis

Kansas City

Land of Lincoln

Middle Georgia

Mile High

Montgomery

Music City

NRO

Ozark

Picatinny

Pikes Peak

Potomac

Red River

Redstone/Huntsville

Cochise

Crystal Coast

Fort Meade

Forty-Niner

Fort Knox

Gateway

Greater Atlanta

Greater Jacksonville

Greater Omaha

Gulf Coast

Hampton Roads

High Plains

Rheinland Pfalz

Rio Grande

Rock Island

San Diego

Sandhills

Southern Maryland

Southside Virginia

Washington

West Point

Western Maryland

Wiregrass

Membership Awards

Established Chapter Absolute Growth Southside Virginia

Established Chapter Percentage Growth Dixie

New Chapter Growth Great River

Recruiters of the Year

A-1 Bruce E. McGalliard, San Diego

A Joanne T. Chupein, Jersey Devil

B Patricia S. Root, Southside Virginia

C Thomas E. Voyce, Royal

Essay Contest

1st Place Colonel Francis A. Machina

2nd Place Major Kalwant (Kevin) S. Smagh

3rd Place Sally H. Easterling

Chapter Leadership

A-1 Glenda H. ScheMer, Aviation

A Lyn M. Kirkwood, Rio Grande

B Jeffrey Hayden, Cleveland

C John Rand, Green Tree

President's Awards

Sally Smith

Al Tucker

Larry Lanzillotta

Charlie Cook

Five Star Recognition

Alamo City

Aloha

Aviation

Big D

Blue Angel

Bluegrass

Buckeye

Central NY Leatherstocking

Central Texas

Charlestowne

Chesapeake

Coastal Georgia

Crown of Maine

Crystal Coast

Fort Mead

Forty-Niner

Fort Knox

Gateway

Greater Atlanta

Greater Omaha

Gulf Coast

Hampton Roads

High Desert

Indianapolis

Kansas City

Montgomery

Music City

NRO

Ozark

Picatinny

Pikes Peak

Potomac

Red River

Redstone/Huntsville

Rio Grande

Rock Island

San Diego

Sandhills

Southern Maryland

Southside Virginia

Washington

West Point

Wiregrass

Editorial

Glenda Scheiner

Research

Major Michael E. Cordero

List of Advertisers

Graduate School, USDA               4
GSA                                 9
Harless Software                    2
KPMG                               61
Management Concepts                33
Pentagon Federal Credit Union   2, 27
Savantage                           4
Treasury Agency Services            3