Today at AFCEA International's WEST coast conference Kate Tong (of Riverbed Technology, and DC Young AFCEANS Chair) was presented the International "Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award".  The DYA Award "recognizes and rewards exceptional performance in two areas: superior technical achievement in the professional arena and a record of going 'above and beyond' at the local AFCEA Chapter level.

Kate has been a member of AFCEA DC since 2003.  She served as Vice Chair of the DC Young AFCEANS in 2008, and has served as Young AFCEAN Chair for the past 2 years.  An AFCEA Leadership Forum graduate, Kate has been an extraordinary AFCEA Standout, and is highly respected for her "above and beyond" leadership and unfailing support to the Chapter.  Kate turned a small band of interested Young AFCEANS into an organization with structure and dedicated activities, and has done a magnificent job of building a rewarding and valuable Young AFCEAN program from the ground up.  She has recruited and placed Young AFCEANS on committees, and in positions where they are able to network and gain experience in working with the senior leadership of the Chapter.  Kate also initiated meetings to establish communication across the National Capital Region Chapters in order to work more closely together.  From her commitment to the Youth Ethics conference, to her support for DC Science Fairs, to her passion for creating professional development programming, Kate has been a real leader for the Chapter and the Region.  Recognizing her leadership and contributions, the AFCEA DC Board asked Kate to join their Executive Committee for FY2010-2011, and AFCEA International has now followed suit in naming Kate Tong a "Distinguished Young AFCEAN".

Kate Tong is seen below accepting her International "Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award" at AFCEA WEST.