The 2019 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.
Joshua Espinal
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Norfolk, Virginia
For outstanding support and timely service in adjudicating citizenship petitions and providing the best customer service to peers, applicants, stakeholders and the USCIS mission.
Synthia Jones
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Atlanta, Georgia
For significantly contributing to the Atlanta Bond Control Unit by processing 1,600 bonds worth approximately $18M in Fiscal Year 2018.
Angel A. Melendez
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
Glynco, Georgia
For outstanding service and efficiency as the Lodging Scheduler for the Off-Center Lodging contracts, enabling FLETC to affect cost avoidance totaling more than $5.1M during the period of June 2018 through May 2019.
Tess N. Hyre
Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Washington, D.C.
For exceptional service, as the only Communications Specialist in I&A, to advance the communications efforts across all media platforms in support of the DHS mission.
Christopher Augustine
Management Directorate, Federal Protective Service
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
For exceptional support of FPS through outstanding technical and communications skills in Service Contract adjustments and price realism, and for most recently discovering an error on a current contract, resulting in cost savings of over $2.5M.
Nefertari L. Farrell
Management Directorate
Arlington, Virginia
For professionalism and dedication in Records Management for CISAOBIM office by reducing hard copy records by 1,000 cubic feet, removing a 68,000 electronic-records backlog and for establishing an OBIM training for “Document Liaisons” to enhance the handling of records and controlled items.
Jose A. Cruz
United States Coast Guard
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
In recognition of outstanding professionalism and expertise in aviation maintenance and for ensuring critical aviation parts are timely delivered, in support of the DHS mission.
Mollie J. Souder
United States Coast Guard
Petaluma, California
For outstanding service and initiative in administrative support of the CG Training Center, Petaluma Engineering Department, by maintaining records of Over 4600 work orders and generating detailed reports, effectively expanding stakeholder visibility and improving the accuracy of applicable reports.
Christian P. Durante
United States Secret Service
Washington, D.C.
For outstanding service as an Investigative Support Assistant in the USSS New York Field Office, Electronic Crimes Task Force, and for coordinating the Asset Forfeiture Program overseeing multiple seizure cases involving assets valued at more than $75M, and for serving in the USSS Protection Squad during the United Nations General Assembly in September 2018.
Laura Dunham
Transportation Security Administration
Jacksonville, Florida
For exemplary support and commitment for oversight of a $600K budget supporting the effective operation of eight airports, having oversight of seven purchase card, with no negative findings in an audit of 800-plus card charges, and for achieving 100 percent accountability for 1200-plus pieces of equipment.
Kevin Schoenberg
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, D.C.
For exceptional service impacting the FEMA OCFO strategic priorities of the DHS Biennial Fee Review, the first comprehensive review of the National Flood Program; the NFIP program that access funds faster to improve obligation rates; and for work on NFIP Reinsurance resulting in FEMA securing its first reinsurance placement in the capital market.
Mariano Torres
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, D.C.
For exceptional service and initiative serving as the Equipment Custodian for FEMA’s National Watch Center, Operations Division, and for successfully completing pertinent inventories.