Team Tinker, Wiley Post Award winners announced

Published April 3, 2008
By Scott Blair
72nd Medical Group

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Tinker's outstanding civilian employees and leaders for 2007 were unveiled March 29 at the annual Civilian of the Year Awards Banquet. Each of the 53 finalists were introduced to the 400 guests as the they walked across the stage of the Ballroom at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
   Maj. Gen. Loren Reno, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center commander, presented a plaque to each finalist and the following winners were presented gold and glass eagle trophies in their respective categories:
   Category 1: (GS 4/below and equivalent) - Kim S. Flis, As a Tools and Parts Attendant with the 76th Maintenance Wing, Kim postured 900 million dollars worth of tools and equipment for maintenance on 6 different airframes, ensuring zero material downtime. In his spare time, Kim coached Little League and led a renovation project for the Moore High School band facility.
   Category 2: (GS 5-7 and equivalent) - Michael D. Pierce, a Firefighter and Hazardous Materials Technician with the 72d Air Base Wing. The first to respond to a vehicle crash into the golf course pond, he swiftly acted to save the driver from drowning. Michael completed an associate degree in Fire Protection at OSU last year and is a community youth group leader.
   Category 3: (GS 8-11 and equivalent) - Thomas P. O'Malley, An Equipment Specialist with the 3d Combat Communications Group, Thomas was handpicked by Air Combat Command to lead the Everything over Internet Protocol effort for Air Force Engineering Tech Services. He is working towards a degree in Information technology and serves as Associate Deacon in his church.
   Category 4: (GS 12-15 and equivalent) - Mark C. Van Duker, an Information Technology Specialist with the 72d Communications Squadron. While deployed to Kuwait he piloted the Radio over Internet Protocol routed net and redesigned network connectivity for Camp Bucca, Iraq. At home, he attended Emergency Medical Technician certification training and is a volunteer firefighter.
   Category 5: (Rookie of the Year) - Ryan E. Reeves, an Information Technology Specialist and is assigned to the Defense Information Systems Agency. His swift diagnosis of a problem in a critical technical refresh led to swift resolution and averted a work stoppage. Ryan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Maryland and is active in his local church.
   Category 6: (Administrative/Clerical) - Susan J. Cotten, As executive secretary to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Commander, Susan managed all administrative functions dealing with planning, scheduling, and support for the center commander. She is a member of the Oklahoma City Canterbury Choral Society and is active in her local church.
   Wiley Post Civilian Leadership Award finalists:
   Category 1: (1st & 2d Level Supervisor) - Theresa A. Farris, Theresa is a Swing Shift Production Flight Chief for the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group and led a groundbreaking effort to earn FAA certification for the MXW to perform aircraft repair work. She is also an active participant of Habitat for Humanity and Zonta International.
   Category 2: (Manager) - James C. Miller, Chief Engineer for 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing and is responsible for 27 weapon systems and 429 aircraft spanning 18 commands, 56 bases, and two foreign nations. In his spare time, he serves as basketball coach for the Moore Community Center and baseball coach for the Norman Parks and Recreation Summer League.
   Category 3: (GS 9/below) - Abram A. Kelly, is the Drug Demand Reduction Program Manager for the 72d Medical Group. He manages AFMC's largest civilian drug testing component and is the highest performing program manager in the command. Off duty, he volunteers time to the City Rescue Mission and the youth ministry at his church.
   Category 4: (GS 10/above) - Mark E. Ward, is an Aerospace Engineer with 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing, and leads all technical sustainment efforts for the Secretary of Defense's E-4B aircraft platform. He designed the "Light Brigade Program", a character building program for young children and is a 15-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Heat Cruizers Club.