DOD DISTINGUISHED CIVILIAN SERVICE AWARDS PRESENTED
October 22, 2002
Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz today presented the highest award the Department of Defense can give to career civil servants to six individuals during a ceremony at the Pentagon.
The DoD Distinguished Civilian Service Award recognizes employees at all levels for their exceptional achievements that culminated in an end result benefiting the entire department during 2001. This award is intended to encourage the nomination of workers at all levels of responsibility and seniority who may not have the opportunity to compile a myriad of accomplishments in a position, but who have made significant and lasting contributions with department-wide impact during a specific period.
This year’s awardees were nominated by their respective component head and endured a tough selection process. The recipients are:
William V. Corsetti, Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, The Joint Staff-recognized for his contributions to the development of the 2001 Joint Strategy Review, analysis of the risks identified during the Dynamic Commitment and Positive Match war games, and the preparation of the Chairman’s assessment of risk in the Quadrennial Defense Review report.
John H. La Raia, Assistant for Administration, Office of the Under Secretary of the Navy-cited for his leadership and dedication to service that were put to the ultimate test when the Pentagon was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. He inspired a recovery effort that saw Navy and Marine Corps Headquarters elements continue their missions in a nearly seamless manner following the attack.
Peter B. Klein, Senior Collection Adviser, Defense Human Resources Intelligence Service, Defense Intelligence Agency-recognized for developing new policies and procedures to enhance DoD support to military commanders and Defense policy makers. He made far-reaching contributions in support of operations Enduring Freedom/Noble Eagle.
Isaiah Ravenel, Detachment Chief, Detachment 2, Pacific Air Forces Air Postal Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan-received the award for his selfless efforts in ensuring the expeditious transportation of more than 48 million pounds of mail for over 300,000 U.S. government personnel and family members in the Pacific Theater. He also was recognized for his diplomatic skills and postal expertise in negotiations with the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nancy L. Spruill, Director, Acquisition Resources and Analysis, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics-recognized for her visionary leadership, commitment to excellence and executive level accomplishments. She had a positive span of influence that ranged from providing recommendations to the Quadrennial Defense Review, to streamlining the planning, programming, and budgeting system, to championing E-Business initiatives.
Sarah A. Tackett, Chief of Professional Staff Management, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base-cited for her leadership, exemplary foresight, initiative and technical expertise. Through her effort, the Air Force Materiel Command became the first major command to collect data on clinical near misses that served as a model to improve patient safety throughout federal healthcare facilities.
Today’s ceremony was the 47th annual presentation of the DoD Distinguished Civilian Service Award.