AFCEA DC ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF LEADERSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM

Nine Individuals Recognized for Significant Contributions to the Warfighter during Spring Leadership Awards Gala

Washington, DC — June 24, 2008 — The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association’s DC Chapter (AFCEA DC), a non-profit association focused on promoting higher education in the hard sciences, mathematics, computer technology, and engineering, today announced the winners of its first Leadership Awards program.  The program recognizes a member from each branch of the military that has made a significant contribution to the Warfighter through the use of information technology (IT), with special consideration given for decisive bravery.  The nine honorees were recognized by AFCEA DC during the Chapter’s Spring Leadership Awards Gala in May. 

            “AFCEA DC wanted to honor the courage and sacrifices of the brave men and women in the IT field who are fighting for our freedom,” said Mike Kush, President, AFCEA DC.  “To accomplish this goal, we developed the Leadership Awards program and then planned the Awards Gala to honor a select few of these individuals.  I can honestly say that honoring these fine young Servicemen and Servicewomen at a formal Gala, and presenting them with our Leadership Award, is one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career.”

            COL Tom Catudal (US Army, Ret), AFCEA DC Awards Board Chairperson, and Ms. Denise Demers, Vice Chairperson, coordinated with members of the Armed Services, Joint Staff, COCOMS, and DISA to identify nominations.  Nominations were then submitted to a 12-Star executive selection committee (recently retired three-stars) which included LTG Steven W. Boutelle, U.S. Army (Ret), Lt. Gen. Robert M. Shea, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret), Lt. Gen. William J. Donahue, U.S. Air Force (Ret), and VADM Jerry O. Tuttle, U.S. Navy (Ret).

            AFCEA DC received 26 extraordinarily qualified submissions for this year’s program.  The winners and runner-ups of the 2008 Leadership Awards program are listed by branch below. 

·         U.S. Army

      Winner – Colonel Natalie Jacaruso, DOD Biometrics

      Runner Up – Chief Warrant Officer Four, Leslie Cornwall, 15^th Signal BDE

      Runner Up – Colonel Stephen Jurinko, NETCOM, IA

·         U.S. Navy

      Winner – Lieutenant Commander Dereck Cecil Brown, HQ 316^th, Electronic       Support, Iraq

      Runner Up – Lieutenant Matthew L. Ghen, CentCom, JNCC-1

·         U.S. Air Force

      Winner – Captain Vanessa Li, DISA, PAC

      Runner Up – Master Sergeant Michael A. Parman, AFFOR A6 Qatar

·         U.S. Marine Corps.

Winner – Captain Brent J. Cantrell, 13th MEU I MEF

Runner Up – Master Sergeant Richard G. McMullen Jr., 30^th Naval Construction, Iraq

            “Given the high quality submissions, and the difficulty in the selection process, the Chapter decided to recognize the remaining 17 nominees with Honorable Mention certificates,” said Kush.  “All nominees were invited to attend the Gala and it was an honor and our pleasure to host this exceptional group of great Americans.”

About AFCEA DC
AFCEA DC represents the professional communications, electronics, intelligence, and information systems community.  The Chapter holds regular luncheon meetings that provide a forum in which government, association, and industry leaders can meet to exchange ideas and concepts, discuss current problems and solutions, and identify future requirements in all technical disciplines.  The AFCEA Forum encourages and enhances open dialogue essential to national and international cooperation and security.  These monthly meetings feature individual and panel speakers that cover current topics in industry.  For additional information on AFCEA DC’s programs and activities, go to www.afceadc.org.

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