TINKER AIR FORCE, Okla -- The Air Force Sustainment Center recently released the names of the 2021 Home and Staff Award winners ahead of the Center- and MAJCOM-level award season.
The AFSC Home and Staff Awards are presented annually to military and civilian staff, who have demonstrated significant leadership accomplishments in their primary and additional duties including creating new initiatives or techniques; developing, or improving upon skills related to their primary duties which impacts the unit or mission needs; and have also shown creativity in developing new products, processes, and services that meet mission requirements and customer needs.
“We are very fortunate to have outstanding members within the Home and Staff offices from Teams Hill, Robins, Tinker and Wright-Patterson, across AFSC,” said Elwood Lewis, AFSC Financial Management Director. “The competition was fierce and we received many outstanding nominations.”
Out of 20 nominees, seven Airmen were chosen in the categories of Company Grade Officer, Cat III Civilian, Cat II Civilian, Rookie of the Year, Senior Non Commission Officer (NCO), Non Commission Officer (NCO) and Airman.
2021 Home and Staff Annual Award Winners:
Company Grade Officer of the Year - Capt James K. Jordan IV, AFSC/JA – Tinker AFB
Capt Jordan is the Chief of Military Justice at Tinker Air Force Base. He is a trusted Military Justice legal advisor who has authored two articles on best practices, and led six trainings that enhanced three wings and 44 JA personnel. He is the father to one daughter, with a second child on the way.
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year - MSgt Angelica M. Guerrero, AFSC/PK – Robins AFB
MSgt Guerrero is a Senior Enlisted Leader for contracting at Robins Air Force Base where she managed an 11 million dollar source selection, led a seven-member team through the acquisition process which cut lead time by 10 percent. Guerrero was able to equip the air base wing with a 639 vehicle fleet in over five years. On her off time, she plays the Saxophone.
Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year - TSgt Andrew M. Wright, AFSC/CCE – Tinker AFB
Since winning the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award, TSgt Wright has promoted to Master Sergeant. MSgt Wright works information management as part of the Commander Support staff. Wright facilitated a 215 thousand dollar Headquarters remodel during which he negotiated six contracts and revamped nine sections, saving the Air Force three thousand dollars. He is also a newly-commissioned father to a baby girl.
Airman of the Year – A1C Reginald Jay G. Lao, AFSC/PK – Tinker AFB
A1C Lao is a contracting specialist at Tinker Air Force Base. He worked to enhance the Med Group with contracted personnel, filling 15 percent manpower and 37 vacancies. He secured COVID care for 64 thousand patrons. Lao migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines in 2017 and joined the Air Force late 2019. Tinker AFB is his first base assignment.
Civilian of the Year – Category II – Morgan N. McNeill, AFSC/LG – Tinker AFB
Ms. McNeill is a logistics specialist and serves as the Depot maintenance Activation Working Group co-chair for Cargo, Command & Control, Space, and Radio Depot Source of Repair. She championed Depot Activation standardization and developed a charter template for working groups which was adopted AFMC-wide. McNeill also has chickens as pets.
Civilian of the Year – Category III – Patrick R. Steelman, AFSC/FM – Tinker AFB
Mr. Steelman is the lead non-pay budget analyst; financial analysis division. He is responsible for the AFSC O&M peacetime budget, Direct War and Enduring Costs requirements, as well as Investment funding across six locations/bases. Steelman facilitated the largest Court Martial program in the AFMC in which he advocated for, and secured 511 thousand dollars in funds ensuring military justice AFSC-wide. In his off time he is an avid geocacher and recreational kayaker.
Rookie of the Year – Carolyn A. Blann, AFSC/PK – Robins AFB
Ms. Blann works as a contracting specialist at Robbins Air Force Base working most closely with WR-ALC. She worked to prioritized PPE and solvent vapor mitigation, drove 256 thousand dollars in aircraft chemical topcoat acquisition and championed for US Navy, US Air Force, and NASA maintainers. Blann enjoys organizing annual proms for people with special needs at New Providence Baptist Church for the Central Georgia. This will be her seventh year volunteering on the committee.
There were no submissions in the categories of Field Grade Officer and Cat I Civilian.
The winners will move forward for consideration in the AFSC Annual Excellence Awards, which will then lead into the AFMC Annual Excellence Awards.
The AFSC Financial Management Directorate is the sponsor of this award.