Annual Awards Banquet Recognizes Key Member Achievements

The chapter hosted its annual awards banquet in August to recognize the outstanding contributions of key members. The event took place at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center in Montgomery, Alabama, and drew a full house of military, industry and government personnel. The following individuals were recognized with chapter-level awards: Tech. Sgt. Joshua Hinshaw, USAF, Young AFCEAN of the Year; Cynthia Crews, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Government AFCEAN of the Year; and Tija Brown, Copper River Information Technology, Industry AFCEAN of the Year. Additionally, the following individuals were recognized for their recent awards from AFCEA International: Master Sgt. Carlton Young, USAF, Meritorious Service and 40 Under 40 awards; Master Sgt. Brianna Oberg, USAF, 40 Under 40 Award; Tommy Pope, Sumaria Systems Inc., Meritorious Service Award; and Jason Frye, AFLCMC, Regional Distinguished Young AFCEAN of the Year. The chapter also was the recipient of this year's Harry C. Ingles Award, Model Chapter Award, Young AFCEAN Chapter Award and Model Young AFCEAN Program Award. The chapter's Education Foundation was fortunate to receive more than $20,000 in donations from various corporate sponsors who were recognized before the banquet. The banquet also included a presentation from Essye Miller, the Defense Department's deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity. She discussed how much information technology has changed since she joined the field to today. Even words such as virus and cloud have taken on new meanings in the ever-changing landscape of the cyber world. Miller emphasized that government needs more innovation and ways to attract young people. The chapter thanks Miller for donating her time to speak to banquet attendees.

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