The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service 2017

The 2017 Secretary’s Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions.

Adam F. Falise

Transportation Security Administration
Anchorage, Alaska

For selfless courage and outstanding support in helping other passengers in the face of the danger during an active shooter incident in the airport.

Charles A. Coletta

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
El Paso, Texas

For outstanding service developing databases and fillable forms, in addition to his regular workload, for fleet management and removal travel in support of ICE’s 2.0 national initiative.

Doran G. McGugan

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Bellingham, Montana

For taking on additional administrative responsibilities, resulting in improved processes and significant savings for CBP.

Jason O’Doherty

United States Coast Guard
Boston, Massachusetts

For exceptional performance and outstanding support by managing the base recycling program, resulting in reduced costs for hazardous waste disposal and preventing millions of dollars in environmental fines.

Jenny Bayles

Transportation Security Administration
Washington, D.C.

For exceptional prowess in technical and administrative expertise through creative improvements to better maintain financial reporting in TSA.

Lawrence Indyk

Office of the Executive Secretary
Washington, D.C.

For professionalism and dedication in preparing the Secretary’s and Deputy Secretary’s correspondence and ensuring that responses are thorough, vetted, and responsive to the communications received.

Leslie Rivera

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Buffalo, New York

For outstanding commitment and support of Field Office administration with respect to time and attendance, benefits, and other supportive services.

Mason T. Champlin

United States Coast Guard
Cleveland, Ohio

For outstanding culinary professionalism and proficiency in support of District leadership’s ability to successfully host over 40 events for leaders in the top levels of government.

Natile R. Vinson

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Glynco, Georgia

For exemplary leadership and professionalism as an exceptional training instructor and dedicated member of the USCIS Academy team.

National Cybersecurity Assessments & Technical Services Team

National Protection and Programs Directorate
Washington, D.C.

Robert A. Aikey
Nick Arroyo
Adam M. Brown
William J. Burke
John O. Bush
Cameron W. Dixon
Frank F. Gerber
Joshua J. McAllister
Robert A. McNeal
David I. Redmin
Michael A. Rocha
Blake A. Rubach
Kelly S. Thiele
Kenneth J. Vrooman
Scott D. Wallace

For exemplary performance in innovative systems vulnerabilities assessments in support of improved cybersecurity wellness for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and private sector partners.

Office of Human Resources - Talent & Employee Acquisition Management Division and Performance Management/Employee Relations Branch

United States Secret Service
Washington, D.C.

    
For outstanding performance during a period of realignment that had a significantly positive impact on employee morale and productivity throughout the Service.

Terry L. Gilmer

United States Secret Service
Washington, D.C.

For demonstrating superb initiative in volunteering to resolve a unique and highly sensitive problem that resulted in savings of more than $100,000.

Thomas Hunter

Management Directorate
Washington, D.C.

For exemplary initiative, volunteering to resolve a unique and highly sensitive problem that resulted in savings of more than $100,000.

Timothy Scott Dixon

Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Washington, D.C.

For outstanding service in helping to implement key polices, including Executive Orders aimed at protecting the Nation from foreign terrorist entry.

Walkiria Mines

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Atlanta, Georgia

For outstanding service and demonstrated high levels of initiative, in the face of staff shortages, that positively impacted the efficient administration of ICE’s Office of the Chief Counsel.

Nora Fuentes

Management Directorate
Washington, DC

For her exemplary work managing the Office of Procurement Operations file room completing an average of nine hundred file room-related activities a month.