21st SW annual awards ceremony honors very best

Published Feb. 7, 2014
By Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As a new year begins, it is time to recognize the dedication and excellence of the 21st Space Wing's top 2013 performers.

During an awards ceremony held at the Peterson Club Jan. 28, the winners for 2013 were presented their honors in the company of the 11th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Campanale, 21st SW leadership, Airmen and civilians.

"These award winners and nominees personify the excellence that I see across our wing every day," said Col. John Shaw, 21st Space Wing commander. "It was my privilege to recognize them and present them with their award."

The annual awards ceremony allows wing leadership to recognize outstanding military and civilian team members, and ensure the very best of the 21st SW move on to the next round of competition.

"The annual awards program is a way to publicly recognize the top performers across the wing," said Master Sgt. Joseph Beymer, 21st Comptroller Squadron first sergeant. "Additionally, if our enlisted wing winners continue to win at the next level, they could eventually become one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year and an opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the Air Force the following year."

These awardees not only embody their own excellence, but also represent the very best in professionalism and performance.

"Wing annual award winners represent the epitome of excellence in everything they do. Not only are they superstars at their respective jobs, but they have also shown the ability to balance work with self-improvement and community involvement at the absolute highest of levels," said Beymer.

Even though each awardee was selected for their individual category, they all possess and share many of the same traits expected from members of the 21st SW.

"Each of the winners' possess pride and professionalism of the utmost degree, willingness to step up and lead from the front, and an undying commitment to give back to the base and local community," said Beymer.

Although this awards ceremony is over, a new year has begun, along with the opportunity for the next group of outstanding team members to strive toward excellence.

"Presenting the awards in front of the base at an event such as the banquet offers the opportunity for others to see what hard work and dedication can do," said Beymer. "Many different factors motivate people to perform and succeed, but for those who are reward driven, there is no better way to motivate them than publicly recognizing our annual award winners."

Peterson's 2013 Annual Award Recipients
Honor Guard Airman -- Airman 1st Class Gregory Cox, 21st Comptroller Squadron
Honor Guard NCO -- Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Mikell, 821st Support Squadron
CAT I Non Supervisory -- Keisha Mills, 21st Dental Squadron
CAT II Non Supervisory -- Nicole Pilato, 21st Space Wing Program Management Division
CAT I Supervisory -- Walter Schmidt, 721st Civil Engineer Squadron
CAT II Supervisory -- Reggie Selby, 21st Space Wing Small Business Office
Volunteer Excellence -- Thomas Fortune, Southern Colorado Retiree Activities Office
FGO -- Maj. Kristin McCall, 21st Space Wing Judge Advocate Office
CGO -- Capt. Joseph Pickenpaugh, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron
First Sergeant -- Master Sgt. Ryan Devine, 721st Mission Support Group
SNCO -- Master Sgt. Charles Apodaca, 21st Communications Squadron
NCO -- Staff Sgt. Angelo Tafoya, 21st Medical Support Squadron
Airman -- Senior Airman Janee Tamayo, 21st Medical Group

Annual awards winners