Chapter Members Honored at West

At the AFCEA West conference in San Diego in January, two of the chapter's Young AFCEAN members received significant honors. Master Sgt. Kiyon Buckley, USAF, 24th Air Force, was chosen from a field of more than a dozen competitors as the 2013 Young AFCEAN of the Year. Bethany Reese, who works at the Hilton San Antonio Airport, received an Emerging Leadership Award. Sgt. Buckley, who is quick to introduce himself as “Buck” to new acquaintances, received both the Regional Distinguished Young AFCEAN (DYA) Award as well as the Young AFCEAN of the Year Award. He has been an instrumental figure for the Young AFCEAN leadership committee. His efforts are credited with increasing membership and volunteerism during the past year and helping to expand the chapter's Young AFCEAN annual budget by a factor of more than 10, all while continuing to perform in a demanding role within the 24th Air Force. He also has helped to organize a series of technology-based career enhancement seminars that regularly draw more than 40 attendees from the chapter. Sgt. Buckley serves as an adviser to the chapter's board of directors, and his dedication to providing programs and events that benefit the military community and the chapter as a whole has been remarkable, said Emily Rausch, who is vice president of Young AFCEANs for the chapter board.

Reese, who also has a DYA award to her name, received an Emerging Leadership Award for her ongoing leadership with the chapter's Young AFCEANs. In 2012, she helped to more than triple participation in Young AFCEAN events by enhancing mentorship programs, advocating and securing senior military leadership engagement in activities, and helping to arrange and coordinate new programs, such as the first Business to Breakfast and Mentor-Protégé Night. Only seven Emerging Leadership awards were given at AFCEA West, putting Reese in an elite group of professionals. "As a professional in the hotel industry, Bethany has brought a unique perspective to the chapter and to the Texas region. Her enthusiasm for producing success in all things cyber made her my perfect choice to be the AFCEA Regional Young AFCEAN representative for all of Texas," said Col. Kelley Crooks, USAF (Ret.), regional vice president for Texas. The chapter would like to congratulate both Reese and Sgt. Buckley for their awards. With their combined efforts, the chapter continues to grow in participation and scope.

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