July 23, 2025 —
Ten individuals and six teams from across the Coast Guard contracting and procurement (C&P) community were recognized for their exceptional performance in fiscal year 2024 during the annual Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) Awards, held virtually June 16 from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
James Knight, director of domain and integration services and deputy chief acquisition officer, said that those being recognized for outstanding service are “people that went the extra mile to make sure that their teams were successful and, moreover, that Coast Guard missions were being met.” He thanked everyone for their contributions during this time of transformation in the Coast Guard. “There’s a lot of change coming our way,” he said. “We’ll get it done and it’s because of the effort and the attitude and the dedication that everybody’s shown here today.”
Mia Grant, serving as acting HCA when the awards were presented, emphasized that every nominee should be very proud. “This is a very hard and competitive process,” she said. “There are only 16 award categories, and we had almost 200 people nominated for these awards. Of that, we are here to recognize 69 of them. This year was really tough to choose winners, as it normally is. It seems like each year it’s getting tougher and tougher.”
Fiscal Year 2024 winners:
Innovative Team of the Year
Elaina Price, Gabrielle M. Berry, Dawn O'Connor, Carlton W. Colson, Wallace B. O'Neal and Kristen R. Copeland for the Aviation Logistics Center
The Short-Range Recovery Logistics Working Group at the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) was recognized because of its work to improve and streamline the processes between the MH-65 aircraft original equipment manufacturer and the ALC. The team traveled to the manufacturer’s facilities in Texas to discuss processes and address areas of improvement. Their actions helped facilitate 20 contracts valued at more than $366 million.
Integrated Project Team of the Year
Wesley A. Baker, Eric Cheesic, Lt. Cmdr. Troy Robison, Lt. Cmdr. Christopher P. Grabe, Reggie B. Henderson, Maria L. Kersey-Robinson, Sharan Lind, Cmdr. Thomas D. Mansell, Gabriel D. Perez, Cmdr. Jonathan T. Rebuck, Capt. Michael R. Roschel, Mark W. Snell, Nettie K. Straub, Kevin E. Suriano, Lt. Cmdr. Joseph R. Trump, Lt. Cmdr. Tyler J. Vieira, Monica J. Vigil Dombeck, Lawrence W. White, Edward A. Wieland and Barbara L. Williamson-Garris for Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center
The National Multiple Award Construction Contract (NMACC) III Small Business Pools team led and executed a meticulous two-phase source selection that addressed a significant number of solicitation pre-proposal inquiries and successfully utilized discussions resulting in the evaluation of proposal revisions. The result of these efforts yielded the awarding of nine small business indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts for Pool 3 West and eight small business IDIQ contracts for Pool 2 East. This resulted in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leveraging NMACC III as a strategic sourcing contract for construction services at DHS locations throughout the continental United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the territories. NMACC III efforts created a contracting vehicle with a $4 billion capacity for the next decade.
Excellence in Customer Service
Walter A. Mack Jr., Orelia N. Parker, Ramona E. Hatfield, Tammy J. Forwood, Mia R. Mayers, Laura J. Lugo, Himanshu Chaudhari, Michael H. Sears, Vernon L. Lewis and Aimee S. Stewart for Surface Forces Logistics Center
The Surface Forces Logistics Center Contracting and Procurement Division (CPD) Procurement Policy Office made exceptional strides in modernizing business processes and enhancing the technical caliber of the Coast Guard Contracting Enterprise by implementing the CPD Procurement Review and Approval application. The team significantly expedited and streamlined the workflow for submission and approval of procurement review documentation. This resulted in the Surface Forces Logistics Center improving its HCA Metrics-that-Matter scores for Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System registration and evaluations and exceeding the required goals for Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation timeliness and Electronic Contract Filing System usage.
Excellence in Post Award Administration
Bryan J. Butler, Kehaulani C. Akana-Miller, Gloria P. Wright, Carol L. Burgess, Linda A. Thompson and Mei Chan for Operational Logistics Command
The LOG-96 team provides support to the entire Operational Logistics Command (LOGCOM) and covers 22 contracting office identification codes, spanning locations in and outside of the continental United States. This includes supporting more than 127 contracting officer representatives (CORs), 114 warranted contracting officers and 49 mission partners. As a result of their work, LOG-9 met the HCA Metrics-that-Matter (MTM) goal with the creation of their Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) Registration Request SharePoint site. This site streamlined the process for both contract specialists and CORs to submit CPARS registration and created a more efficient process for meeting the HCA MTM goals. The team also created a Dashboard Teams Channel that helped standardize reporting across LOGCOM and helped better track the CPARS, open procurement request reporting and Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation data.
Excellence in Negotiation
Joel M. Gibney, C&P Air Acquisitions, and Adam F. Petty, Surface Forces Logistics Center
Gibney and Petty were recognized for their work on the Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. This critical requirement supported the professional development of the cyberspace workforce across DHS and ensured that these employees have access to necessary training to maintain technical competencies and certifications.
Rising Star of the Year
Chief Petty Officer Michael Fitzer, Surface Forces Logistics Center
As a member of the Surface Forces Logistics Center’s Contracting and Procurement Division branch 3, Simplified Acquisition Procedures section, Fitzer led several critical requirements totaling millions of dollars in support of the small boat product line. Additionally, he led training for more than 20 personnel in the areas of market research, Simplified Acquisition Procedures and electronic contract filing. He also instituted new processes to track and account for award distribution and empower mission partners, which led to improved quality.
Bridge Builder of the Year
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Charlene A. Garcia, Operational Logistics Command
Garcia currently leads the Cutter Fuel Team and serves as the subject matter expert for port services. She provides consistent and reliable communication between their Acquisition and Contracting Division, the Assistant Commandant for Resources and all mission partners within both the Atlantic and Pacific areas, always ensuring the sharing of information and guidance related to fuel procurement processes and port services.
Outstanding Simplified Acquisition Procedures Team of the Year
Brianna R. Riffle, Amanda L. Justice, Megan Maday, Mark A. Rushing, Delton L. Brun and Brian J. Eichelberger for C5I Service Center
The Simplified Acquisition Procedures team from the C5I Office of Contracting and Procurement excelled in all areas of the HCA’s Metrics-that-Matter goals established for 2024. Additionally, this team executed 296 contracts valued at $7.6 million. The team ensured that all contracts were correctly filed in the Electronic Contract Filing System, held a 100% Federal Procurement Data System rating and had no unauthorized commitments.
Outstanding Contract Team of the Year
Capt. Chad R. Brick, Lt. Cmdr. Michael P. Higbie, Cmdr. Keely J. Higbie, Cmdr. Matthew E. Eyler, Lt. Cmdr. Elijah C. Sponseller, Lt. Cmdr. Timothy D. Hulse, Lt. Joshua J. Guthlein, Jennifer B. Souza-Madura, Courtney P. Baker-Williams and Russell E. Booker for Operational Logistics Command
Operational Logistics Command’s Operation Bench Strength Integrated Project Team was chartered with developing innovative contracting solutions that anticipate unique requirements of Coast Guard customers. This team helped address such challenges as the Station Keeper issue in New England through awarding a contract that provided four contractors to service six boat stations. They did this by innovatively defining “keepers” as individuals who predominantly perform general maintenance work and also support other service demands including janitorial, food service, gate access control and groundskeeping services. This aggregation provided stations with flexibility to meet their varied needs and negated requirements for what would have been 30 separate service contracts.
Contracting Officer’s Representative of the Year
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mary G. Davenport, Headquarters Contracts Division
Davenport was recognized for consistently demonstrating exceptional performance and commitment to the contract and procurement mission and her support for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a contract with a value over $33 million. As the contracting officer’s representative (COR), she served on DHS’s integrated project team for its EAP strategic sourcing vehicle. She was also the COR for the addiction orientation for healthcare providers contract and the substance abuse software training contract.
Contracting and Procurement Professional of the Year
Sharita L. Leathers, C&P Air Acquisitions
Leathers demonstrated exceptional dedication and capability to support the C&P community. In addition to excelling in her role as a full-time contracting officer to the C&P Air Acquisition Division, she voluntarily stepped up to support C&P Headquarters as the sole small business specialist reviewer, where she has showcased her ability to collaborate and meet or exceed organizational goals. Leathers kept requirements packages moving in accordance with the milestones, communicated in a clear, concise and professional manner and ensured issues were escalated promptly, demonstrating her reliability and commitment to the mission. For example, as the senior and lead contracting officer, she oversaw critical delivery by traveling to Elizabeth City, North Carolina, for the final delivery of the MH-65 Hot Mockup, ensuring timely integration into the Aviation Logistics Center training program.
Storekeeper of the Year
Chief Petty Officer Kyle D. Nester, Operational Logistics Command
Nester serves as the procurement liaison officer for Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco and Coast Guard Air Station Ventura. He oversees the procurement and contracting activities at these air stations and executed 39 awards totaling more than $940,000 as well as overseeing the execution of more than 865 micro-purchases valued at $1.8 million. He often stepped in when other contracting officers were not available, taking on assignments outside of his area of responsibility.
Contracting Specialist of the Year
Kenneth S. Boyer, C5I Service Center
Boyer processed 41 contract actions that totaled more than $247 million and played an integral role in the awarding of the highly visible and complex Installation and Logistics Management Services second generation multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. Additionally, he served as the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) alternate focal point for his branch which proved instrumental in C5I contracting and procurement’s success in meeting the HCA Metrics-that-Matter goals as related to CPARS registration and evaluation rates.
Chief Warrant Officer of the Year
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brandie Herring, Operational Logistics Command
Herring serves as the contracting officer for the Contingency and Environmental Contracting Support Section of Operational Logistics Command. She served as the main contracting point of contact for a high visibility mishap in Alaska during May of 2024, in which a Coast Guard helicopter crashed. She was responsible for the remediation and cleanup of the crash and provided much needed assistance both during work hours and after hours to support this incident.
Supervisor of the Year
Gabriel D. Perez, Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center
Perez is a senior field contracting officer for the Facilities Design and Construction Center Seattle. During fiscal year 2024, he served as the acting deputy chief of the contracting office for the Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center while filling in for the higher-level reviews and leadership for Construction Engineering Units Miami and Cleveland. Additionally, he served as the contracting officer of the National Architect-Engineering indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity re-procurement, a strategic sourcing vehicle that had fallen behind schedule. Perez’s efforts addressed a potential organizational conflict of interest and ensured that the Coast Guard and DHS have a contract vehicle with $1 billion capacity over the next 10 years.
Contracting Officer of the Year
John W. Wright, Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center
Wright is a contracting officer assigned to Construction Engineering Unit Juneau. During fiscal year 2024, he awarded 26 contracts and 39 modifications valued in excess of $21 million. Additionally, Wright proved instrumental in awarding the inter-agency agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Port Clarence Interim Remedial Action and Divestiture Support, valued at $5.4 million. This allowed the return of Port Clarence to the native people of Alaska and helped bring to a close a 10-year project to clean up and return the land.