2007 Distinguished Young AFCEANs and Emerging Leadership Award Winners

Distinguished Young AFCEANs

Distinguished Young AFCEAN (DYA) Regional Honorees

Captain Carmen, “Andi,” Andrews demonstrated outstanding professionalism and volunteerism to the Gulf Coast Chapter, 81st Training Wing and local community. She ensured the successful execution of 6 high-profile professional development forums, a technology exposition, $4,000 of Science and Technology Awards, and $350 in chapter donations to the Keesler Fischer House.

Captain Sounder Andrews is a dynamic self-starter. In addition to being a key player in 8 membership events, 3 major conferences and 2 industry tours, his role as president of the Company Grade Officers Council has led to a record year in new YA memberships. He makes good things happen!

Carey Bandler serves in a leadership role for all Young AFCEAN volunteers for the NOVA Chapter. At the International level, Carey is currently serving as the National Capital Region Industry Representative to the Young AFCEAN Advisory Council (YAAC) and he serves as a member of AFCEA International Awards Committee.

Lt Kenneth Ferrell has been the Las Vegas President and Secretary during the past two years. He has hosted over 6 Tech Expos on Nellis AFB, held ten meetings on technology topics, and led course prep work. He has increased membership to over 150 individual and corporate members. Ken has completed these activities on his own as all of the other Chapter Officers have PCS'd and he is running the entire Chapter by himself. Ken has been the 505th Operations group executive and the communications lead in Virtual Flag and Red Flag.

Captain Angie Freeman has brilliantly served the Scott-St. Louis Chapter over the past 18 months in a variety of capacities. Most noteworthy among these are her tireless efforts during 2007 TechNet Mid-America. Angie's role in the Chapter's local AFCEA Awards Board and scholarship programs continues to provide lasting benefits to the local Scott-St Louis community. Angie serves at Headquarters Air Mobility Command, as the Program Manager for the $36M Executive Airlift Communications Network (EACN).

Andrea Houck is recognized for exceptional service to the San Diego Chapter of AFCEA in her capacity as Vice President and Chair of the Young AFCEAN Committee. Ms Houck has demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedicated commitment to expanding the role and participation of young professionals in the San Diego AFCEA Chapter.

In 2007, Capt Juarez served as Chapter 158's treasurer, managing a $42K budget. He delivered $22K+ to military and civilian scholarship recipients. He also promoted his chapter in several events reaching five bases and 53,000 people. Finally, his aggressive budget funded a Technical Exposition that attracted 640 attendees, 63 vendors and 35 distinguished visitors.

Captain Kristen Kayata serves as the 96th Air Base Wing Commander's Executive Officer at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. As the Emerald Coast AFCEA Vice President for Programs, Kristen's singular leadership aided the Chapter in winning Model Chapter of the Year and the Albert Meyer Award for Individual Membership.

Andrea Kunk is the Chief Financial Officer with Peerless Technologies Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. Within the Dayton-Wright Chapter, she volunteered in increasingly demanding positions, improving industry/military collaboration and raising nearly $90,000 for chapter scholarships. Her actions culminated in being hand-picked by the InfoTech 2008 Chairman to lead the Conference Programs Committee.

Capt Matt Ligon has played a major role in the great upswing of the Oklahoma City Chapter - increasing their activities such as golf tournaments and Reverse TechNET-where the “customers” displayed their capabilities to industry. Even while serving in Iraq he kept in touch with the Chapter, offered his support and made his Chapter activities a success.

Major Caleb Malcolm serves on the Tidewater Chapter Board of Directors as a Young AFCEAN and as Chapter Secretary. In addition to his outstanding AFCEA contributions, Caleb deployed as Information Systems Flight Commander at Balad AB, Iraq. His leadership supported 24/7 operations in support of the Global War On Terror.

Ken excelled as Chair, Operations Center and Chair, Protocol for both the 2006 and 2007 TechNet Asia-Pacific Conferences. He recruited and trained a staff of 25 for the Ops Center operation while also ensuring flawless protocol support for dozens of senior participants. Ken was critical to the success of these two events.

Ms. Lisa Pandolf is Co Vice President for the Young AFCEANS. She chairs many activities throughout the year for the Chapter to include the Young AFCEAN Adventure Series and Skillpath Seminars, the professional development grant program, and serves as Co-Chair for the website and Publications committee for the annual Fort Monmouth Symposium.

Staff Sergeant Warren Quinn graduated top student at the Defence CIS College collecting three individual awards. His project report, presented at TechNet Europe, won the AFCEA Europe Young Engineer’s Scientific Award. As communications battalion senior technician he is responsible for all CIS equipment in support of UK air combat units.

Beth Sheehy has been very active with the Central Maryland Chapter Young AFCEANs for the past two years. She has been instrumental in the growth and development of our organization. Beth demonstrates a positive, enthusiastic, and hard working attitude. She is a glowing representative of our YAC chapter.

1st Lieutenant Colin Williams has been the Vice President for Young AFCEAN Affairs for the Middle Georgia Chapter since 2004. Lt Williams is a chapter founding member. Because of his leadership, the chapter has grown from 20 to 100+ members. Additionally, young AFCEANS now comprise 50% of board member positions.

Captain Ken Bourque was the driving force behind the success of Chapter's annual TechNet Mid-America Symposium. Flawlessly playing a key role in planning, organizing and implementing the Chapter's 2007 Symposium, he handled the toughest challenges with confidence and enthusiasm. Ken's personal attention to securing the conference’s agenda, support, transportation and volunteers were all critical to making this event the Chapter's best ever.

Staff Sergeant Joshua Copeland distinguished himself as Webmaster, ArkLaTex chapter. He spent over 100 hours designing and maintaining their website; providing a valuable outreach and information dissemination point. He also masterminded the 1st Annual AFCEA Cyber Symposium CyberCup Golf Tournament. Sergeant Copeland is an incredible asset to AFCEA and the ArkLaTex Chapter.

Captain Douglas Freeman superbly stimulated local interest in his Chapter's activities, recruiting a host of outstanding and talented young officers. His leadership was critical to pulling together the talent needed for public affairs, audio-visual, monthly luncheons and VIP support during the Chapter's premier TechNet Mid-America event. Most noteworthy was Doug's role in the local AFCEA Awards Board, identifying Panel Members, assembling Award packages, hosting the decision panel, and notifying the appropriate personnel of the Chapter's selection.

"No job is too small when it comes to a successful AFCEA event; after all, we are here to support each other and our civilians and soldiers who selflessly serve our country every single day", summarizes Katie Gladhill's participation in Northern Virginia Chapter events. Katie serves as co-Chair of the Chapter YAFCEAN's.

Mr. Victor Holinko is a Program Analyst for the Command and Control Directorate (C2D), CERDEC, Co- Vice President of the Young AFCEAN Group and an Officer in the Signal Corps Regimental Association (SCRA). He is a Graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology with an MISIS degree and a Business Degree from Rutgers University.

1st Lt Jennifer E. Huntsman leads the Tampa-St Petersburg Chapter Young AFCEANs. In the past year she has been the primary leader for 22 AFCEA and community-related events. Her main chapter-focused events included coordinating a professional development field trip for the Tampa-St Pete Chapter and the South Florida Chapter, leading the annual chapter golf tournament and raising $9,000 towards scholarship funds, and organizing the annual chapter holiday party featuring support for the Hope Children’s Home, a local home for displaced children.

Manon Latta supports the AFCEA Education Foundation Outreach Subcommittee, reaching out to past Scholarship recipients in the National Capital Region to solicit their feedback on how the AFCEA Scholarship affected their lives. Her analysis and feedback serves to develop material to help solicit future donations to the AFCEA Scholarship Fund.

Angela Norris was a founding member of the Bethesda’s YAFCEANs and was elected Special Events Chair. She ran the chapter’s first two charity golf tournaments raising approximately $50,000. In 2006 Angela was elected Vice Chair and was subsequently elected Chair. Angela participates in ACT/IAC, AFFIRM and WIT. She was recently selected to participate in the prestigious ACT/IAC Voyagers Program.

Ms. Cristina R. Page has served the Stuttgart Chapter of AFCEA as Membership Chairman and currently, as Vice President for Publicity & Awards. Her participation has served AFCEA well raising $15,000 in support of the local Scholarship Fund and increasing membership, which was recognized with the 2007 Albert J. Myer Achievement Award.

Tyler Tatum is the CEO of Brainlike Surveillance Inc and a proven leader in the Atlanta AFCEA Chapter: Member of our Board of Directors, Assistant VP of Young AFCEANs, VP of Publicity, and now VP of Awards. He's a model of Young AFCEAN involvement in an AFCEA chapter.

Major Neal Bowen is currently serving in a joint position at HQ U.S. Army Forces Command, Ft. McPherson, Georgia, and he's a proven leader in the Atlanta AFCEA Chapter: Member of our Board of Directors, VP of Science Fairs and Science Teaching Tools Program, and now VP of Young AFCEANs.

Technical Sergeant Peter Christ is the Treasurer for the Kaiserslautern Chapter. As a member of this year's Tech Expo planning team, he ensured the success of the Chapter's Golf Tournament, raising $22,000 for college scholarships. Additionally, TSgt Christ was recognized during the chapter's annual sport day for recruiting five personnel.

Steve Krauss was awarded the DYA in 2005 for starting the Bethesda YAFCEANs and serving as its first chair. Steve served as the chapter’s VP of Membership for two years and played a major role for the chapter’s Law Enforcement IT Day and the Children’s Inn Charity event. Steve was recently elected Chapter President.

First Lieutenant Malloy is the Secretary for the Kaiserslautern Chapter. During the 2007 Summer Tech Expo, he flawlessly organized the visit of AFCEA International Executive VP, LTG John Dubia, USA (Ret). Lt Malloy also organized monthly luncheons bridging relationships between the chapter and corporate IT members. Finally, his selfless commitment raised $20K for scholarships.

John Mitchell has been critical to the success of the Central Maryland Chapter Young AFCEAN program. Since 2005, his involvement has enabled the CMC YACs to continue to grow and build momentum. John is an outstanding representative of the CMC Chapter and his commitment to the AFCEA mission is unrivaled.

Rick Tuggle, member of the Huntsville Chapter Board of Directors, is a previous recipient of the Distinguished Young AFCEAN (DYA) Award. Rick is a Space Operations Officer in the Army Reserves and is currently employed with Raytheon. He is dedicated to providing young engineers awareness of AFCEA through scholarships and volunteerism.