In humble fashion, each
of the award winners attributed much of their success in earning the award to
the men and women they work with, their mentors and supervisors and the family
at home who support them and took the opportunity to thank them.
CPL Melissa
Horner, Air Force (Canadian Forces) Canadian Region
Duty Title: Aerospace Control Operator /22 Wing Operations
and Plans
Major accomplishments according
to the nomination package: CPL Horner took a lead role in the wing
operations plans section, ensuring the Canadian Air Defense Sector Command Post
was operationally functional for the CANR command team. She was elected to the Military
Family Resource Centre Board of Directors to represent the military community, taking
a leadership role in directing community programs, championing health, morale
and welfare. As a member of the 22 Wing Honour Guard, her military bearing and
attitude are always professional as demonstrated during the Canadian NORAD
Region command visit. She has also successfully completed 23 of 30 credit hours
required for the Bachelor of Military Arts and Science program through the Royal
Military College.
“It
wasn't until I was seated in the room with the 10 board members that I realized
how far a military member had to travel in order to get into the chair I found
myself in,” she said. “There were so many talented and accomplished people
waiting behind me for their turn with the board and in realizing this, I
understood the level of achievement required to get where we were. After the
experience that was the board, winning the award felt like a bonus on top of an
amazing few months that included awards at both the sector and region level.”
NORAD senior nco member of the year:
MWO Jeffrey
Reid, Air Force (Canadian
Forces), Headquarters, NORAD-USNORTHCOM
Duty
Title: NORAD J33 Superintendent
Major accomplishments according
to the nomination package: Master Warrant Officer Reid is the first Canadian
to fill the current operations superintendent position, leading a 45-member
team. He was also recognized as the NORAD J3 Senior NCO of the Year for 2013.
He performed 56 hours of NORAD-NORTHCOM Command Center pro-shifts; led AD
execution of 8 unknown aircraft within the national capital region, ensuring defense
of the homeland. Reid is a key member of Canadian Headquarters Unit Personal
Evaluation Report board, solidifying 14 files for career progression. He also
earned the Headquarters NORAD SNCO 2013 award. MWO Reid co-led the 35th Annual
CANAM (Canadian-American) Golf Tournament, a ‘super’ event for 140 members. He
also completed 50-percent of his bilingual proficiency, his second language
qualification.
“It's
an honour to be recognized for this prestigious award, to represent NORAD by
far the greatest command,” said Reid. “To be nominated by the NOARD leadership,
particularly my SEL (senior enlisted leader) Chief Master Sgt. Young, is
humbling. This is a team award however; I may be the captain of the team, but
my appreciation goes out to my coworkers and, of course, my family.”
NORAD Company Grade Officer of the YEAR:
Continental U.S. NORAD Region, Capt.
Angela M. Hudson
Duty
Title: (Canadian Forces Military Occupation
Specialty Identification) / Instructor Senior Director and Assistant Officer-In-Charge,
Bravo Crew Weapons
Major accomplishments according
to the nomination package:
She is the top
flight senior director who was upgraded to instructor after six months exudes
superior knowledge, skill and confidence. She took the lead as senior director
for seven national capital region scrambles aiding uncompromised President of
the United States and critical-asset protection. Her intense developmental
drive & focus saw her as a national finalist for the prestigious Royal Canadian
Air Force International Space Studies Program. She is a court-appointed special
advocate for at-risk children removed from unfit homes, having protected six
children to date. She has also completed second year of arduous full-time
graduate law degree courses, finishing three with honors distinction and is
enrolled in and advancing through Level 3 of a 5-tiered RCAF Officer
Developmental Program, well ahead of her peers.
NORAD
Field Grade Officer of the YEAR:
Alaska
NORAD Region, Air Force Lt. Col. Robert S. Neiper
Duty
Title: Logistics Readiness Officer, Deputy
Commander, Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center
Major
accomplishments according to the nomination package:
Lt. Col. Neiper created a $3.1 million LAK (Link-16, Alaska) sustainment,
instituting 500-part supply point, cutting delays from three days to one. He
initiated a $56 million power plant renovation, engineering design and
initiating building – securing critical NORAD defense sensors. He implemented a
radar upgrade installation project worth $126 million, fortifying NORAD air defenses
with a projected $175 million in savings over 10 years. He assisted two search
and rescue missions, coordinating five aircraft, 28 personnel and dispensed
69,000 pounds of fuel, rescuing three hikers. His community activities included
supporting the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Attic initiative, organizing 11 members
and volunteering 22 hours serving more than 5,000 base members. He also
completed a three-day contract course, identifying and fixing a document configuration
control problem, creating a share point site saving 75 man hours.
“I
definitely could not have gotten there without the support of all men and women
of the PACAF Regional Support Center,” said Neiper. “I would also like to thank
my wife and kids for supporting me, especially over the past year. Without
their support I would not have been able to accomplish all that I did.”
NORAD CIVILIAN CATEGORY I MEMBER of the Year:
Canadian NORAD Region, Andreas
Christodoulides
Duty
Title: 1 Canadian Air Division / CANR Headquarters Intelligence
Surveillance Reconnaissance Division Senior Strategic Intelligence Analyst
Major
accomplishments according to the nomination package:
Christodoulides gathers, evaluates and organizes raw and processed data
on specified nations, groups and their relative weaponry. Christodoulides
generates world-class comprehensive and predictive intelligence assessments and
developed a new air threat paradigm, which significantly changed NORAD
planning. His recent findings on threats to NORAD were presented at the
Permanent Joint Board on Defence and resulted in the NORAD-NORTHCOM commander advocating
for more resources based on those assessments.
NORAD CIVILIAN CATEGORY iI MEMBER of the year:
Alaska NORAD Region, Stacey L. Wilken
Duty
Title: Alaskan NORAD Region NORAD Enterprise Network
Systems Administrator, 611th Air Communications Squadron
Major
accomplishments according to the nomination package:
Wilken led nine people in system administration, driving 99% uptime for
290 users – key to ANR earning NORAD's top "Mission Ready" rating. Wilken
ignited system threat responses, identifying a virus and coordinating a fix
with NORAD and solidifying the defense of 663,000 square miles of Alaskan airspace.
Wilken devised a system backup plan, creating a checklist and schedule to preserve
10 years of intelligence data from natural disasters and corruption. Community
service includes being elected as booster club treasurer, donating 87 hours to
organizing four morale events, earning $7,300. Wilken also completed 85 certified
training requirements, beating the deadline by 16 months.
“First,
I would like to thank God for everything he has done for me,” said Wilken. “I
would also like to thank my supervisor Mr. Don Pettit for putting me in and
giving me the opportunity, Senior Master Sgt. Devlin Huffman for spearheading
the awesome awards process in our squadron, and all of the 611th Air Communications
Squadron personnel for helping me get to this point. We are all part of an awesome team.”
NORAD CIVILIAN CATEGORY Iii MEMBER of the YEAR:
HQ NORAD-USNORTHCOM, Christopher R.
Edling
Duty
Title: Chief, NORAD Strategic Initiatives
Major
accomplishments according to the nomination package:
Edling was the first choice for primary command center joint planning
team; mission analysis briefed to commander. He was selected as the HQ NORAD
Civilian Category III of the Year for 2013. Edling authored NORAD Aerospace
Control Alert Risk Assessment Report to Congress which was approved and
forwarded from the NORAD-NORTHCOM commander and Secretary of Defense. Edling
served as aerospace control alert subject matter expert for 13 exercises and 17
real-world aerospace events in the NORAD-NORTHCOM Command Center. He was the
fundraising chair for Boy Scouts troop, collecting $10,500 and fueling 65 Scouts
rank advancements and summer camps. He also served as an adult leader for 130 hours
of Scout Rank Boards of Review, Garden of the Gods trail restoration, camping
and skiing.
usnorthcom
junior nco of the year:
Sgt.
Tonga Tukumoeatu, Army North
Duty Title:
Trombone player / Logistics and Resource Management NCO
Major accomplishments according
to the nomination package: As trombone player, he performs with four
groups in more than 30 performances each year to support the 323d Army Band’s
more than 300 musical missions. Tukumoeatu is responsible for the repair and
maintenance of the entire band’s musical equipment, totaling $454,431. He commits
92 hours a month as a Boy Scout Master by participating in Scout service
projects, organizing camp outs and fundraisers, and teaching youth to abide by
the Scout oath and law. He dedicates five to 10 hours weekly as a church youth
leader to support the spiritual fitness of more than 20 youth (ages 12-17)
through ministry, organizing charitable service and leading youth social
functions. Tukumoeatu also completed a Master’s Degree in Music Education from
Boston University in May 2013.
usnorthcom
senior nco of the year:
Senior
Master Sgt. Tracie Duvall, Joint Task Force-Alaska
Duty
Title: Superintendent, Joint Operations
Major accomplishments according
to the nomination package: Duvall guided J3 during 673th Communications Squadron
Staff Assistance Visit preparations, conducting self-inspections and fixing
five discrepancies. The organization received a 100-percent pass rating. She launched
the combined headquarters’ first-ever professional development program, leading
a 16-member work group, setting protocols for NCO development for 80 attendees.
As the booster club president, Duvall organized two fundraisers, earning $1,500
and volunteered at an Alaskan food bank, feeding 400 people. She completed a
bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Management and graduated the 28-hour
resident Defense Support of Civil Authority II course and all on-line prerequisite
training – the only SNCO in command postured for civil support.
“It
is an honor,” Duvall said of the award, thanking God, senior leadership and a
professional team of coworkers. “The level of professionalism, leadership and
talent this year was immense. This indeed is a privilege and an honor for which
I am extremely grateful for the consideration.
USNORTHCOM
Company Grade Officer of the year: HQ NORAD-USNORTHCOM, Capt.
Michael C. Dunn
Duty
Title: Chief Instructor, Missile Warning Center
Qualification Training
Major accomplishments according
to the nomination package: Dunn trained a record number of students,
earning a 100-pass rate, the highest total in N-NC history and a 60-percent
increase from 2012. He led development of 25 new scenarios and 57-percent of
simulator products – an increased focus on 79 mission critical tasks. He
revised 60-percent of the curriculum and improved training aids, enhancing
student comprehension, situational awareness and performance. Dunn implemented a
digital student binder program reducing administrative costs more than 90
percent per class. He presented a career seminar at the U.S. Air Force Academy educating
cadets on space and missile operations and enhancing esprit de corps. The
astute student also completed 12 credit hours toward a master’s in business
administration while increasing his grade point average to 3.97.
“I
feel inspired to continue to push for excellence in operations and training,
and to give more of myself in service of the nation,” said an honored and
humble Dunn. “I am thankful to all the members of the qualification training
division, and especially our Missile Warning Center Qualification Training
instructor team. I can't express my
thanks enough to all the members of the Qualification Training Division, as
each individual has been in some way a help and an inspiration to me. This has been the best job in my Air Force
career, and I am proud to have the opportunity to serve here.”
USNORTHCOM Field Grade Officer of the Year:
HQ NORAD-NORTHCOM, CDR Christopher D.
Carter
Duty
Title: NORTHCOM J35 Future Operations Homeland
Defense Planner
Major accomplishments
according to the nomination package: Carter was selected as the 2013 NORAD and
USNORTHCOM Field Grade Officer of the Year. He served as the NORTHCOM future
operations cell liaison officer to the National Guard Bureau for exercise Ardent
Sentry-13 where he synced NORTHCOM, NGB and 32 other agencies, a total of 5,200
trained. Carter was selected as bi-command senior-leader briefer, highlighting
the key and unique homeland defense mission. His community service efforts
include volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as well as donating time to
local charities and food banks. He was also the NORTHCOM J3 SECDEF Corp Fellows
Program nominee, earning senior service college credit.
“I
am honored to be recognized as the Field Grade Officer of the Year, but the
award represents more than one person and reflects the hard work of the
NORTHCOM J35 Homeland Defense Branch and the NORTHCOM J35,” said the commander
thanking the civilian workforce for being the “glue” holding the command
together. “Civilians provide the continuity, insight and background to active
duty members that would be unavailable otherwise. I would like to thank Mr.
Dave Petri, Mr. Bill Overmann and Mr. Terry Steed for their mentorship and
guidance. I would also like to thank CDR
Chris ‘Gus’ Ford for providing opportunities for me to succeed and his
leadership as the J35 Homeland Defense branch chief.”
USNORTHCOM CIVILIAN CATEGORY I MEMBER OF the Year:
HQ NORAD-USNORTHCOM, Judy G. Granczewski
Duty Title:
Executive Assistant, Contingency Operations Division
Major
accomplishments according to the nomination package:
As the directorate’s sole Defense Travel System support member,
Granczewski built 143 DTS actions, earning a 100-percent on-time travel. She served
as the mobile consolidated command center deployers’ sole reachback during 12
deployments where she cleared 100-percent of hot taskers, directly supporting
nine distinguished visitors. Granczewski ran training for two security focus days,
training on communications security and security practices, eliminating 20
pounds of outdated records. She deployed with the MCCC team, performing perfect
mission critical execution of deployment logistics for 60 people. As a volunteer
at Cuchares Ranch Board of Directors, she fought for homeowners’ issues and won,
creating a children’s play area and having speed signs posted. She also
completed two four-hour courses.
“I
am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have received for my work, because
I am very sure that every other nominee was as capable of winning this award,”
said Granczewski. “I have faced several challenges on my way here, but each has
only strengthened me to make me the person I am today; a thorough professional
who knows exactly what she wants; someone who sets her eyes on a goal and does
not take them off it unless it is achieved.
This award could not have been achieved without the inspiration I have
received from my seniors and my colleagues, for whom I have deep respect, and
from whom I have derived the strength to challenge myself and perform better at
each stage.”
USNORTHCOM CIVILIAN CATEGORY II MEMBER of the year:
HQ NORAD-USNORTHCOM, Megan L. Gray
Duty
Title: Intelligence Specialist (Terrorism)
Major
accomplishments according to the nomination package:
Gray deployed six months to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico as a threat
analyst where she magnified vital US information sharing. She earned the HQ
N-NC Category II Civilian of the 3rd Quarter, 2013. She proved to be a key player in USNORTHCOM-Mexico partnership building. Gray wrote
a terrorism threat response to Congress and the assistant SECDEF earning praise
for the scope and quality on command threat analysis. She completed the Defense
Intelligence Agency’s Advanced Counterterrorism training course, improving her overall
professional analytic skills and she pursued professional education improvement
at two Counterterrorism Education Learning Labs in Denver.
USNORTHCOM CIVILIAN CATEGORY III MEMBER of the year:
AFNORTH, John S. Bender
Duty Title: Chief, Emergency Management-Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Division
Major accomplishments according
to the nomination package: In his role as leader
of the four-person division, he provides emergency management and chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear expertise and advises the commander on
EM-CBRN activities or incidents. He graduated from 2013 Defense Support of Civil
Authorities II Course and earned the 1st Air Force Category III Civilian of the
Year 2013 as well as the Air National Guard Civilian Emergency Manager of the
Year 2013 awards.
“I
would like to thank Lt. Col. Kimberly Bennett, Col. Betty J. Marshall and Ms.
Ann Garner who have been outstanding leaders and mentors that always supported
me and provided an environment where I could pursue projects and activities to
better the organization as well as myself,” said Bender.