Directed Energy employees recognized

  • Published
  • By Rich Garcia
  • Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  Two awards, one for Outstanding Civilian Career Service to Dave Tuttle and another for Exemplary Civilian Service to Dr. Kirk Hackett, were among the recognitions given to 28 employees of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate at a ceremony here Friday. 

Mr. Tuttle, who received his award in conjunction with retirement after 32 years of government service, was praised for the business and people programs he instituted. Dr. Hackett's award recognized his leadership and technical contributions to the Air Force's research and development mission. 

Annual awards presented: Denise Wilhelm received the AFRL Resource Advisor of the year award and Loretta Chavez received the AFRL Financial Services Civilian of the Year Award. A double award recipient, Ms. Wilhelm was also presented the Rio Grande Chapter of American Society of Military Comptrollers 2006 annual award in the Resource Advisor category. A second Rio Grande Chapter award, in the Comptroller/Deputy Comptroller category, was presented to Terry Franks. 

Receiving the Missile Defense Agency's annual award for innovation was the Big Crow Development Team of Capt. Michael Hipp, Dr. Mark Kramer and Robert Ulibarri. 

Quarterly awards were also presented to Dr. Gerry Moore for senior program management, 1st Lt. Jill Watson for program management, Maj. Dennis Stocker for leadership, Irma Aragon for senior mission support, Lillian Palacio for junior mission support and Virginia Velasquez for administrative excellence. 

Two quarterly team awards were also presented. The Wisard Deployment Team received the Technical Transfer Achievement Team Award. Team members recognized are Col. Sherry Riddle, Lt. Col. Diane Gerencser, Capt. Simon Palfery, 1st Lts. Abigael Carstetter and David King, and 2nd Lts. Jered Fry and Mark Hanus. 

Receiving the Mission Support Teamwork Award were the members of the Phillips Research Site Program Security Office, comprising Senior Master Sgt. Don Novak, Senior Airman Nathan McCann, Craig Mehl, Dan VonTom and representatives of the ManTech Security and Mission Assurance Company. 

Certificates of federal service were presented to Michael Vigil for 30 years, Michael Sheehan for 20 years and Jan Bush for 10 years.