Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
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 Falise, Transportation and Security Administration, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Falise was honored for his selfless courage leading passengers, including a child, to safety and providing them with food, and logistical support during an active shooter incident at a Florida airport. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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 Coletta Immigration and Customs Enforcement, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Coletta was honored for developing databases for removal travel and fleet management contributing to the overall mission of ICE and Enforcement Removal Operations. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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 McGuagan, Customs and Border Protection, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. McGuagan was honored for volunteering for additional administrative responsibilities, resulting in improved processes and significant savings for CBP. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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, U.S. Coast Guard, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. O'Doherty was honored for his initiative in managing a recycling program, which reduced hazardous waste disposal costs and preventing millions of dollars in environmental fines. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Bayles was honored for her technical and administrative expertise through creative improvements to better maintain financial reporting in TSA. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Indyk was honored for coordinating responses to all correspondence addressed to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary from outside the department ensuring DHS responses are through, vetted and responsive to the correspondence received. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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, Customs and Border Protection, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Rivera was honored for her outstanding commitment and support of the Field Office administration, for providing customer service to more than 1,400 CBP employees. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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.
Petty Officer 1st Class Mason Camplin, a culinary specialist in the U.S. Coast Guard, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Camplin was honored for his outstanding culinary professionalism and proficiency in support of the Republican National Convention, and successfully hosted more than 40 official events for leaders in the top levels of government. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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 Vinson, Transportation Security Administration, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Vinson was honored for her participation in the roll out of the Transportation Security Officer Basic Training program and was chosen to represent the Academy in a program called "TSA on the Job: Academy Instructor". Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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 Protection and Programs Directorate's National Cybersecurity Assessments and Technical Services Team receive the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. The team was honored for their systems assessments that increased the general wellness of the cyber perimeter for the federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, and private sector partners. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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.
U.S. Secret Service's Office of Human Resources -Talent and Employee Acquisition Management Division, Outreach Branch and Performance Management Employee Relations Division Team receive the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. The team was honored for developing and implementing programs and initiatives to recruit and retain USSS candidates. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
Office of Human Resources - Talent & Employee Acquisition Management Division and Performance Management/Employee Relations Branch
United States Secret Service
Washington, D.C.
Steven J. Novick
Kevin S. Porter
David A. Stefanich
Truman A. Body, III
Antonio F. Davis
Camille D. Harris
Brittney L. Reker
Jacqueline J. Wasson
Rosie A. Manning
Kimberly E. Gaillard
Emily C. Harrison
Danielle D. Watson
Tamra R. Rich
Yemaya J. Lawson
Tina M. Lee
Patricia A. Smith
David Suda
Nicole B. Johnson
Arnold A. Jenkins
Yolanda D. Hines
Natalya A. Bond
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, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Hunter was honored for developing a probabilistic budget execution model for the $7 billion Disaster Relief Fund. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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 Dixon, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Dixon was honored for implementing key administrations policies including Executive Orders on protecting the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the U.S. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Mines was honored for high levels of initiative during a staff shortage, which positively impacted the efficient administration of ICE's Office of the Chief Counsel. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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's Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, receives the the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service at the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2017. Fuentes was honored for her exemplary work processing the Department's contract files. Official DHS photo by Jetta Disco. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released)
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.