The 7^th Annual Excellence in Government Awards were announced during a luncheon hosted by the Federal Executive Association of Western Massachusetts (FEAWM). These awards honored the “best and the brightest” in local federal service. Awards were presented to outstanding federal employees in 13 categories. 

 The luncheon took place on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke, MA. Keynote speaker was Sarah Tsitso, Resource Development & Communications Director, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity.

 Congratulations to the following winners!

•  Distinguished Federal Manager,Wayne V. Brown, Aircraft Mechanic Manager, 104^th Fighter Wing,  Barnes Air National Guard

• Distinguished Federal Supervisor, Michael Walsh, Performance Manager, Northampton VA Medical Center

• Professional Employee of the Year, Administrative, SMSgt Thomas Dumais, Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of Wing Safety, Barnes Air National Guard

• Professional Employee of the Year , Emergency Management/Public Safety/Law Enforcement – Michael Morrissey, Assistant Chief, Fire Department, Westover Air Reserve Base

•   Professional Employee of the Year,  Health Services,  Sue Harry, Registered Nurse at the Northampton VA Medical Center

• Professional Employee of the Year, Technical and Scientific, Lt. Col Douglas Robert Gernhard, Instructor Pilot, C5, Westover Air Reserve Base

• Outstanding Support Employee, GS 1-6 ,  Kimberly Plourd, Licensed Practical Nurse at the Northampton VA Medical Center

•  Outstanding Support Employee, GS 7-11, Karen S. Scott, Operations Superintendent, 337^th Airlift Squadron, Westover Air reserve Base

• Service or Trade Employee,  Marilyn I. Morales, Integrated Electronic Systems Mechanic, 104^th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard

• Outstanding Customer Service Effort , TSgt Antonieta Ferreira, Accounting Technician, 104^th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard

• Outstanding Creativity and Innovation,  Paul Veresko, Airlift Control technician, 439^th Airlift Control Flight, Westover Air Reserve Base

•  Unsung Hero Award,  Mary A. Grasso, Area Director, Rural Development, USDA

• Outstanding Community Service,  Sharri McDaneld, Testing Clerk, Springfield Military Entrance Processing Station, Westover Air Reserve Base

•  Outstanding Federal Volunteers, Robert and Beverly Garrant, Volunteers at the Northampton VA Medical Center 

TEAM AWARDS: 

• Outstanding Customer Service Effort,  Service Representatives, Social Security Administration

• Outstanding Creativity and Innovation,  104^th Sustainment Services, Barnes Air National Guard

 SPECIAL AWARDS WERE ALSO GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:

• Board of Director’s Award, Laura A. Szwajkowski, Northampton VA Medical Center, and David Mendoza, Barnes Air National Guard

• Chair’s Award,  Jeff Anliker, Retired, USDA.