News

Western & Central Mass. Residents Honored for 2006 Federal Service

HOLYOKE, Mass., Sept. 28, 2006.  The Fourth Annual Excellence in Government Awards were announced by the Federal Executive Association of Western Massachusetts (FEAWM). These awards, which honor the best and the brightest in local federal service, were presented at a luncheon at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Awards were presented to outstanding federal employees in 13 categories.

FEAWM board member Jeffrey Anliker, Assistant State Conservationist for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Amherst, announced the following winners:

• Distinguished Federal Executive: Cecil B. Currin, State Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
• Distinguished Federal Manager:  Ruth A. Parker, Chief, Host Aviation Resource Management System, 439th OSS/OSF Flight Records Section, Westover Air Reserve Base.
• Distinguished Federal Supervisor: Donna Dismukes, Test Control Officer, Springfield Military Entrance Processing Station, Westover Air Reserve Base.
• Administrative Assistant of the Year:  Lisa A. McCurdy, Computer Assistant, 439th OG/CC, Westover Air Reserve Base.
• Support Person of the Year: Peter McCarthy, Human Resources Assistant, Springfield Military Entrance Processing Station, Westover Air Reserve Base.
• Outstanding Service/Trade Employee of the Year: Edward A. Cardin, Aircraft Survival and Flight Equipment Repairer, 439th OSS/OSL Aircrew Life Support, Westover Air Reserve Base.      
• Professional Employee of the Year: Diana Weaver, Chief, New Media Relations, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• Technical/Scientific Employee of the Year: Liz Dawson, Architect, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• Outstanding Federal Volunteer: Maureen Fluet, Volunteer, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Rep., Northampton VA Medical Center.
• Outstanding Individual Customer Service Effort: Gene Kosinski, Soil Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
• Award for Creativity and Innovation: Janice Pastuszak, Staff Development Instructor, Northampton VA Medical Center.
• Outstanding Community Service: Gregory Malecki, Firefighter, 439th MSG/CEF Fire & Emergency Services, Westover Air Reserve Base.
• Unsung Hero Award: Joe Kulis, Library Technician, Education Program, Northampton VA Medical Center.  Jim Mias, Library Technician, Education Program, Northampton, VA Medical Center.

The Board of Directors Award was presented to Bruce Sylvia, from the VA Medical Center in Northampton, who has stepped down from the FEAWM board. The award was presented for his past service.

A special Chairs Award for outstanding service to the FEAWM was presented to Patrick DeFalco from the Social Security Administration.

The FEAWM is an association of more than 25 federal agencies that serve the people of western Massachusetts. The FEAWM includes leaders from the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Interior, Justice, Labor, Treasury and Veterans Affairs, as well as the District Court, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., General Services Administration, Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.

For more information on the U.S. federal government, visit USA.gov.