Neil R. Ginnetti Professional Development Award Recipients.

Mr. Neil R. Ginnetti was national president of the American Society of Military Comptrollers for two terms. He was a friend of ASMC and a champion of professional development. The following chapters were recognized for contributions to the professional development of their chapter members and the training needs of their commands.

Fort Meade

The Fort Meade Chapter was extremely active in the area of professional development. In addition to ten monthly meetings, the chapter hosted a mini Professional Development Institute, which included a full day of training sessions.

The chapter leadership worked closely with the chief financial manager (CFM) and the comptroller at the National Security Agency (NSA) to develop a plan for the career development of the financial management workforce. The following is a partial listing of the professional development activities:

* Developed a focus on financial management training opportunities and the CDFM registration and testing process on the CFM's Home Page

* Established CDFM study groups and granted two hours per week for the workforce to attend study sessions

* Hosted the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course

* Developed, with the approval of ASMC National Headquarters, a CDFM identifier to be worn on agency badge holders and a CDFM perpetual plaque, which lists each person's name and the year

* Hosted quarterly brown-bag lunches on financial management and acquisition topics

* Sponsored the Second Annual CDFM Awards Breakfast

Ozark

The Ozark Chapter provided relevant educational and professional development opportunities to the membership and the Fort Leonard Wood community.

The chapter used monthly luncheons as an opportunity to provide a combination of resource management and professional development training, as well as education on issues and programs that are vital to the welfare of the community. The chapter invited guest speakers from all levels of resource management and varied organizations in order to broaden members' horizons and extend their knowledge base. The chapter also took advantage of the audio conferences that the ASMC National Headquarters offered, opening these training sessions to all MANSCEN (U.S. Maneuver Support Center) organizations.

The chapter sponsored a mini-PDI that provided technical and professional development training workshops. The program included a mix of resource management and professional development topics that were centered on the operational environment. In keeping with such programs and concerns as Army transformation, base realignment and closure decisions, major resource constraints, and Global War on Terrorism support, the theme was "Changes, Choices, and Challenges."

The certification committee worked hard this year to offer training, mentorship, and testing opportunities to chapter members seeking their CDFM. "[he committee offered an onsite test session. This effort put the chapter at approximately 25 percent of the membership with CDFM designation.

Redstone/Huntsviite

The chapter provided members an excellent opportunity to increase professional development, to network, and to gain knowledge in a creative learning environment through the annual local PDI. At the PDI event and monthly meetings, speakers covered topics that had immediate impact on daily work processes and that can be used to support the warfighter.

As part of the effort to increase Certified Defense Financial Manager certifications for members, time chapter held weekly study sessions. During the sessions, participants had an opportunity to study together, provide tips, share knowledge, and provide mentorship to individuals seeking to increase their professional development. In association with senior command leadership, the chapter encouraged members to attend the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course.

Meetings featured technical and professional speakers who presented a broad spectrum of financially related topics. Throughout the year, attendance averaged 150 members.

As part of the chapter's mission to provide opportunities for further professional development to members and immediate family, a local ASMC scholarship program was developed. Four scholarships were awarded to help with expenses for both undergraduate and graduate work.

First Vice President Bob Nichols (left) gives Mr. Paul Bogosian, Program Executive Officer for Aviation, a small gift for his presentation to the Redstone/ Huntsville Chapter. The topic was Life Cycle Management Command--A Program Executive Office Perspective.