The 2018 Secretary’s Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions.
Mary J. Epstein
U.S. Secret Service
Washington, D.C.
For support in overseeing the process of counterfeit currency accountability in the Washington Field Office, and removing a backlog of over 60,000 pieces of counterfeit currency.
Emily C. Bruce
U.S. Secret Service
Mobile, Alabama
In recognition of service as the sole administrative employee for the district and willingness to assist in many other areas and activities in support of the U.S. Secret Service mission.
Tara Moore
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, D.C.
For serving as the only purchase card holder in the U.S. Virgin Islands immediately after Hurricane Maria’s landfall, and playing a major role in securing contracts for vital services to support response and recovery operations.
Rashid Ford
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
New York, New York
For performance and support in managing the extensive logistics and facilities coordination and execution in decentralizing three large field offices in the New York District.
Teresa A. Byrd
United States Coast Guard
Baltimore, Maryland
For managing the outreach, interaction and logistics for visiting dignitaries and others at the largest USCG industrial complex, and only shipyard in DHS, while continuing to execute regular duties.
Lori A. Shorthouse
United States Coast Guard
Portsmouth, Virginia
For untiring work in support of Base Portsmouth through increased leveraging of technology, process streamlining and other efficiencies, and deployment on the Surge Capacity Force during the 2017 Hurricane season.
Diana Meyer
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Chicago, Illinois
For support of the CBP mission by servicing the Chicago region’s Office of Chief Counsel in the face of staff shortages, while maintaining excellence in performing regular administrative duties for the Buffalo home office.
Gabriela Nunez
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Laredo, Texas
For organizing the Border Amigo Program in the Laredo North Patrol Station that provides senior agents as sponsors of newly arriving agents and their families.
Takeisha Alridge
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Washington, D.C.
For accurately reviewing alien files from state prisons and the ICE-ERO Criminal Alien Program.