Individual Achievement Awards

Congratulations to the winners of the SDFM Individual Achievement Awards! 

This award category recognizes individuals for outstanding accomplishments within the functional fields of defense financial management.

Ernest J. Gregory Award

Major Christopher O’Dell
Major O’Dell’s leadership fueled the mission execution for the Air Force’s 2nd largest training wing, graduating 27K students annually across 35 Air Force Specialty Codes, and his squadron’s success resulted in the Air Force’s Financial Analysis Flight of the Year and Air Education & Training Command’s Organization of the Year awards!

Accounting Category

Distinguished

Elma Ducusin, CDFM
Elma’s leadership within the DAF exemplifies her unparalleled ability to navigate and resolve complex financial challenges while driving transformative change. Operating in a high-pressure environment defined by intricate systems, regulatory demands, and mission-critical decision-making, she consistently showcased a strategic vision, exceptional technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to operational excellence.

Meritorious

Mark Richburg
Mr. Richburg was pivotal in Hanscom Air Force Base accounting process improvements, resulting in preventing $76.8M in funding loss. As well as returning more than 40 man-hours per pay period to CPTS accounting team through DFAS interaction process improvement trainings with base organizations.

Holly Jordan, CDFM-A
Ms. Holly Jordan is a visionary leader in the AFRL Munitions Technical Directorate Financial Management Division. She is transforming operations, managing $668M portfolio, and executing $50M+ annually. She corrected 87% of weaknesses within a year, driving efficiencies and setting a new standard for excellence with exceptional leadership and technical expertise.

Acquisition/Cost Category

Distinguished

Mandy Chapman, CDFM-A
As AFRL/RW lead cost estimator, Ms. Chapman revolutionized cost estimation with innovative plans, pioneering sufficiency reviews, and establishing automation for cost briefings. Her efforts streamlined processes, provided critical data to decision makers throughout the DoD and Congress and enabled unprecedented transparency through a cutting-edge AFRL/RW cost estimate dashboard..

Meritorious

1LT Samuel Epley
1LT Epley pioneered financial data visualization tools that improved overall cash visibility and movement through the battlefield.  His tools enhanced planning and support for upper echelons leading to timely resupply of funds across theater, and the ability to test scenarios, enabling Commanders to make informed decisions on critical mission movements.

Auditing Category

Distinguished

Jessica Young, CDFM
Ms. Young demonstrated excellence by completing two high visibility, complex audits averaging 192 days, well below directorate averages, freeing up resources for other must-do audits.  Her efforts addressed two material weaknesses, enabling the Air Force Senior Management Council to make appropriate risk-based decisions impacting the Statement of Assurance.

Meritorious

Nicholas Irwin
Mr. Irwin demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication as a senior auditor, as a team leader for United States Property and Fiscal Office through the 3-year inspection scoring 100% while sharing his knowledge as a by-name requested instructor for NG auditors.

Budgeting Category

Distinguished

MSgt Aaron Coleman
MSgt Coleman led 16 personnel to resource at $205M portfolio that captured 57 unfunded requirements worth $15M solidifying 27K student graduations annually, pioneered Keesler’s “DragonTank” initiative, and powered the joint Mississippi State Cyber and Technology Center project set to graduate 6K students across 34 career fields annually.

Meritorious

Sarah Flaherty, CDFM-A
Ms. Flaherty is a top notch Budget Chief skillfully leading two teams, nine personnel with direct oversight of $1.4B.  Her dedication to the mission and the development of the FM team set the benchmark for all.

Maika Andrew, CDFM-A
Ms. Maika Andrew excelled as Branch-level CFO, leading efficient teams, managing over $12B in portfolios, securing $170M for next-gen weapons, and executing a $27M urgent project. Her leadership and financial expertise ensured seamless operations, even under budget cuts, and contributed significantly to the Weapon Directorate’s success.

Contractor Support Category

Distinguished

Jeffery VanScoy, CDFM
Mr VanScoy was directly responsible for leading the most complex DEAMS deployment, creation of RPAs and groundbreaking L2D initiative.  This resulted in the transition of over $9.7B to DEAMS and $240.9M liquidated from GAFS and reduced the AF’s footprint in legacy systems with no additional cost to the AF.Management community.

Meritorious

Kelly Papineau, CDFM
Kelly’s initiative resulted in correction to $1.7B in errors, mitigated fallout funds/maximized buying power by $558.1M, saved 458 hours, and trained countless future leaders and FM’rs. Her work in 2024 resulted in savings for years to come and has helped this community in ways we cannot yet measure.

Elizabeth Hacquard
Liz Hacquard helped DLA achieve a positive audit opinion on its financial statements through grit, hard work, long hours, advanced expertise, and critical thinking leading to significant savings, enhanced operational efficiency, and increased stakeholder confidence. Her efforts underscored transparency and accountability within DLA.

Colby Crosby
Mr. Crosby is a vital member of the LRSO Cost Team. With a “get it done” mentality and abundant work ethic, he has completed multiple high level LRSO projects at record pace. This has setup the LRSO program for success to meet IOC with a potential cost savings of $3.25M.

Finance Category

Distinguished

Samantha Yelhey
Ms. Yeihey led transformative changes in the Air Force’s $21B asset management portfolio, introducing system automation and resolving key challenges. Her strategic solutions significantly impacted mission readiness, achieving 100% execution of the CAM portfolio, enhancing efficiency and strengthening Air Force operational readiness.resulted in numerous innovative solutions with long-term, positive impacts across the AF.

Meritorious

Rebecca Goering, CDFM-A
Ms. Goering’s efforts led to the correction of $72M in misaligned execution in the HPO program, and the implementation of internal controls to ensure accurate data for cost modeling and budgeting. Her efforts will ensure the Army has the resources needed to retain the medical providers needed on the battlefield.
 
Kimberly Brewer, CDFM-A
Ms. Brewer’s outstanding performance has earned her recognition and praise from the Chief Financial Officer, Directorate CC, and Center FM Director. Her exceptional leadership, financial management, and analytical skills have been instrumental in driving program success, and her contributions will have a lasting impact on the nation’s defense capabilities.orrections including $369M in overcommitments and avoiding $52M in billing errors.

Financial Systems/Digital Transformation Category

Distinguished

Jason Willard
Jason Willard is nominated for developing a comprehensive Power BI financial dashboard that enhanced MEDCOM’s financial management and operational capabilities, providing real-time visibility into funding execution and workforce analytics.

Meritorious

Randell Abbott
Mr. Abbott’s efforts resulted in the acquisition of an Appian-based system. The acquisition of this game-changing PPBE system required extensive knowledge, coordination, and leadership. He was relentless in pursuit of acquiring a system that would meet requirements, increase efficiency, and provide better tools to develop, track and defend MDA budgets.

Intern/Trainee Category

Distinguished

John (Jack) Wolgast
Jack is a key member of the Long-Range Weapons division. During the past year he supported both the Procurement and CAM programs while executing $2.9B+ current years funding. His dedication supporting the war-fighter is evident now and will be well into the future.

Meritorious

Paul West
Mr. Paul West is instrumental in bringing the Air Force Audit Agency into the future, showing how AFAA can utilize new data mining systems while also leveraging old legacy systems to combine for better audit results, including his work disclosing over $1.9 million in potential monetary benefit between 2 audits.

Camille Wallace
Camille has consistently demonstrated exceptional initiative and teamwork throughout her internship. She plays a key role in coordinating multiple training opportunities, managing accounting policy updates, and providing timely support to the FM community. She consistently demonstrates initiative, teamwork, and strong communication skills, positively impacting the DAF’s FM operations.

Resource Management Category

Distinguished

Ashley Emrick, CDFM
Ashley’s “get it done” attitude contributed to Air Force and Space Force mission successes. Her efforts solidified facility construction supporting over 30 special access programs, helped save 85% of total costs on an inaugural Department-wide enterprise license, and enhanced strategic analyses vital for Great Power Competition.gs and 33.7K Airmen.

Meritorious

1st Lieutenant Claudia Hinchey
Lt Hinchey expertly directed the 9 MDG’s $10.7M budget, reducing $2.1M and capturing financial solvency for Fiscal Year 2024. Claudia secured $593K in ambulance funding, avoiding service disruption for flight line operations. She was recognized as the Wing’s Company Grade Officer of the 1st and 4th Quarter, 2024.

Roxanne Thorpe
Roxanne enhanced warfighter capabilities, deepened international partnerships, and optimized $300M+ FYDP portfolio through strategic funding, project management, and innovation. She drove significant impact, improvement, and accelerated development of advanced weapon systems, including hypersonic technologies, high-speed strike capabilities, and next-generation missile systems, resulting in increased lethality, reliability, and maritime target assessment.