The 2018 Secretary’s Meritorious Service Medal recognizes exceptional individual leadership or service that is distinguished by achievements of marked significance over time to the Department of Homeland Security. This award will recognize a body of work characterized by superior performance related to significant accomplishments, business improvements or notable resourcefulness and diligence that significantly improved the effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security in one or more program areas.
Todd F. Porinsky
U.S. Secret Service
Washington, D.C.
For coordination and execution (as part of Operation Caribbean Fury) of the indictment of multiple individuals form organized crime groups on charges of conspiracy, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft in the Ohio area.
Joanna B. Hall
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Washington, D.C.
For defending and vindicating the Department's mandatory custody authority through many years of litigation, up to the Supreme Court, which impacts national public safety by limiting the release of criminal noncitizens.
Kaspersky Lab Team
National Protection and Programs Directorate
Washington, D.C.
Brian C. Scott
Michael J. Duffy
Traci L. Knight
Gabriel L. Slater
Gabriel Taran
Michael O. Halas
In recognition of the tremendous efforts to rein in the cyber-threat to Federal networks and critical infrastructure posed by Kaspersky Lab products, by issuing the Directive that led not only to federal agencies but other countries, removing these products.
Julie K. Koller
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Washington, D.C.
For vigilance and dedicated work in immigration legal matters, including Terrorist Watch List cases that will continue to advance key departmental priorities while preserving public trust in the works of DHS.
Christopher E. Shelton
Transportation Security Administration
San Antonio, Texas
For implementing multiple initiatives to advance the DHS mission, to include the Third- Party Canine-Cargo Program, and the creation and enhancement of multiple partnerships within the private canine industry.
Jeremy Schaefer
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Denton, Texas
For coordinating the response of all Federal Responders, to include 1,000 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue members, deployed for Hurricane Harvey, and for working after Hurricane Maria to place an air bridge to send supplies to Puerto Rico.
Daniel W. Green
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In recognition of leading FEMA's demanding fuel mission for multiple operations for all three hurricanes in 2017, executing a fuel plan that far exceeded FEMA's catastrophic fuel plan.
Michael D. Hoefer
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Washington, D.C.
In recognition of leadership and contributions to strengthen the effectiveness of programs, processes, and personnel to effectuate excellence in delivery of data analyses to meet the needs of internal customers and external stakeholders.
Mitchell D. Rose
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Santa Clara, California
For sustained leadership, innovation, resourcefulness, and significant contributions to the mission of securing the integrity of our lawful immigration system.
Russell S. Hall
United States Coast Guard
Savannah, Georgia
For leadership in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, in coordination with the Department of Defense, and for developing and implementing a GeoSuite application to aid aircraft commanders in tracking persons in distress all across the Gulf Coast.
Traveler Compliance Division ADIS Team
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Washington, D.C.
Jay Hart
Matthew Schneider
Matthew Queior
Rodney Perkins
Yiu W. Chan
Jun Kong
Michael Gorman
Michael Hysong
David Byler
Jeni Best
Tyson Walker
In recognition of outstanding teamwork for refining and improving the Arrival and Departure System (ADIS) consolidating electronic entry, exit and status information into a single data repository.
To Catch a Predator Team
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Swanton, Vermont
Brandon Dixon
Ryan Dunlap
Brian Rossi
For work, while off duty, resulting in a known criminal noncitizen being arrested for child molestation and processed for deportation from the United States.
ICE Cyber Crimes Center Extortion Scheme Team
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Washington, D.C.
James R. Grundy
Thomas E. Miller
Jacqueline D. McBride
Robert V. Harley
Michelle Bednar
James M. McMahon
Christina R. Downes
Stirling A. Campbell
Paige V. Barry
Kyle A. Chase
In recognition of teamwork in the investigation of a nationwide criminal organization impersonating ICE agents and other law enforcement officials, to extort individuals purportedly involved in child sex abuse resulting in many arrests, guilty pleas and indictments.
David P. Higgerson
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Laredo, Texas
For serving with distinction as the Director of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, responsible for enforcement activities at eight international Ports of Entry and the Machinery Center of Excellence, also an integral part of Joint Task Force-West, working to inhibit transnational criminal organizations from operating in South Texas.
John L. Bragaw
United States Coast Guard
Curtis Bay, Maryland
For managing the largest expansion since 1945 at the Coast Guard Yard, the only DHS shipyard and largest industrial facility, for establishing innovative recruitment and training programs and bolstering cost and schedule performance that ultimately boosted national fleet readiness.
Staci A. Barrera
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
For executing a budget of nearly $2 billion, and ensuring the 8,600 agents, analysts, and mission support personnel of ICE-HSI received the needed training and equipment to execute the mission of safeguarding the Homeland.
Sidney Aki
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
For highly effective leadership at the San Ysidro Port of Entry that motivates and inspires staff to stay focused on mission priorities while navigating highly controversial political issues.