Acting Under Secretary presents AF small business achievement awards

  • Published
  • By Brian Brackens
  • Air Force Materiel Command
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --   In a Dec. 17 ceremony held on the 109th anniversary of Wilbur and Orville Wright's first powered flight, the Air Force honored 15 Air Force employees and organizations for significant contributions to the Air Force Small Business Program.

Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin was the keynote speaker for the event.

"Today is a great day because I have the opportunity to recognize extraordinary performers," Morin said. "The Air Force relies more than ever on innovative Airmen such as the folks that are doing exemplary work in support of the Air Force's Small Business Program."

Joseph McDade, the director of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs, said he is proud of the hard work and dedication of the many professionals in the Air Force and small business community that helped the service meet its goals for small business.

"No one is working harder for our Air Force each and every day than those of you being honored today," he said. "It makes me proud that we rose to a level of performance that exceeded expectations."

Among the recipients was Air Force Materiel Command, who received the top major command award for developing new initiatives to increase small business participation in the face of declining budgets. During fiscal 2012, the command awarded $3.9 billion in contracts to small businesses.

During his visit, Morin also spoke with senior leaders about the importance of strengthening and improving the Small Business Program in the future.

"The pace of change is one of the fundamental challenges facing our Air Force today," Morin said. "We have technological, geopolitical and economic changes which create uncertainty. Despite these challenges, the Air Force remains committed to improving our Small Business Program. When we talk about being more innovative, more rapidly responsive and finding more efficient ways to provide capabilities to our troops, what comes to mind are our small business partners."

Morin also thanked local small business owners and acknowledged that the Air Force benefits when it utilizes the talent and skill of small business contractors.

"As a vital segment of our nation's economic strength and recovery, the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses injects agility, innovation and essential competition into the marketplace," Morin said. "Promoting small business not only provides value to the taxpayer, but it helps us fulfill the Air Force mission."

Morin's visit to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was part of a full day of activities aimed at recognizing superior support of the Air Force Small Business Program. Morin also visited Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., where he recognized an additional three award recipients and met with base and community leaders.

Seymour Johnson AFB received the top installation award, leading the Air Force with an unprecedented 96 percent contracting rate with small business, far exceeding the Congressional standard of 23 percent.

The Air Force Small Business Program is tasked with promoting small businesses nation-wide to obtain innovative and efficient solutions to Air Force needs. Often, these businesses are asked to develop technology that is used to give the Air Force a significant advantage in its war-fighting capabilities.

Recipients of the 2012 Air Force Small Business Program awards include:

Director's Award for Senior Executive Service/General Officer Outstanding Leadership
- Maj. Gen. Wendy Masiello, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, The Pentagon
- Randall Culpepper, Air Force Program Executive Office for Combat and Mission Support, The Pentagon
- Dr. Steven Butler, AFMC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

Small Business Specialist Award- Individual
- Connie Robben, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
- Kyle Donah, 4th Contracting Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.

Special Achievement-Small Business Unit Award - Unit
- 7th Contracting Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas

Special Achievement-Small Business Award - Individual
- Gabriel McKenna-Groves, Luke AFB, Ariz.

Major Command Small Business Director's Award - Individual
- Becky Carpenter, Headquarters ACC, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

Market Research Award - Team
- Eric Halter, Sue Tormey, Annette Dunbar, Lynne Imhoff, Michael Eidsaune, Kendra Kershner, Lisa Thibeault, Denise Trapp, Gregory Koesters, Gregory Turner, Jason Cadek, Lance Pritchard and Lou Knapp, Headquarters AFMC, Wright-Patterson AFB

Denise Stice Memorial Award-Demonstration of creativity and persistence
- Mary Urey, Enterprise Sourcing Group, Lackland AFB, Texas

Tandy Weaver Memorial Award- Community outreach and involvement
- Renee Gifford, 82nd Contracting Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas

Small Business Director's "Beyond Goals" Award - Professional achievement, initiative and innovation
- Barbara Liptak, Enterprise Sourcing Group, Wright-Patterson AFB

Small Business Top Installation Award
- Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

Top MAJCOM Award
- AFMC, Wright-Patterson AFB