Keesler recognizes top performers Published March 4, 2013 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler's top performers were recognized March 1 at the 81st Training Wing's annual award banquet at the Bay Breeze Event Center. A highlight of the ceremony was a special performance by the Air Force Honor Guard. The team is at Keesler through mid-March perfecting its new routines. Winners are: Airman - Senior Airman Zachary Bartlett, 81st Medical Support Squadron medical logistics technician. Bartlett is 2nd Air Force's choice to compete at Air Education and Training Command for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year honors. Bartlett, who was promoted below the zone, played key roles in medical supply training, flight records management, quality assurance, financial data validation and equipment and inventory management. He completed a Community College of the Air Force degree and served as an honor guard member and physical training leader. He was recognized as the wing's volunteer of the quarter, worked on the Warrior Fit Gym transformation and served as his squadron's Combined Federal Campaign representative. Noncommissioned officer - Tech. Sgt. Christopher Podobinski, 338th Training Squadron instructor supervisor. Podobinski, who is currently deployed, led seven instructors in production of 640 cyber technicians and served as squadron lead for last year's Consolidated Unit Inspection. His training database was recognized as a "best practice" by 2nd Air Force. He was responsible for upgrade of the unit's air expeditionary force training area. He was NCO in charge of the honor guard and volunteered with Special Olympics, Biloxi Fire Department fishing tournament fundraiser, Biloxi Shrimp Bowl and Dragon Challenge fundraiser for Fisher House. Senior NCO - Master Sgt. Derek Glanton, 333rd TRS cyber training support flight superintendent. Glanton was deployed to the Department of Defense Criminal Investigation Task Force, supporting 87 agents in three areas of responsibility. He taught 14 classes that delivered 89 technicians to 10 major commands and is pursuing a master's degree in information technology management. He was an enlisted force structure briefer for four First Term Airman Center classes. He's a certified personal trainer who led the squadron's PT program. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. Company grade officer - Capt. James Johnson, 336th TRS director of operations. Johnson was also selected as 2nd Air Force's top company grade officer. At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Johnson led a 52-member team that maintained 17 networks, 66 classified circuits and $18 million in resources. He filled the 336th TRS commander's position unexpectedly five weeks before the CUI, with an "excellent" unit rating and personal recognition as a "superior performer." He organized a project that supplied food and educational supplies for 30 Haitian families, led stress management and marriage seminars at his church, directed a tutoring and coaching team for the Boys and Girls Club and served as a soccer coach. Civilian category I nonsupervisory - Trevor Kearns, 81st Communications Squadron computer assistant. Kearns was recognized as a key leader for the CUI in his oversight of 14 cyber center operations center programs. He managed an information assurance review that reconciled 86 network shortfalls, led his squadron's information assurance program and tracked and processed 11,000 net trouble tickets. He served his community as a youth baseball coach, football league board member and coach and helped raise $1,000 for youth sports programs. Civilian category II nonsupervisory - Steven Green, 81st Contracting Squadron procurement analyst. Green developed a quality assurance program coordinator database for tracking 48 contracting officer representatives and 81 contracts that was approved as an Air Force "best practice." He also designed a database for electronic submission of contract actions. He attended Squadron Officer School in residence and scored a 96 on the Air Force fitness test as a civilian. Green initiated contact with local schools to donate $23,000 worth of computer equipment, served as a school advisory councilmember and fundraiser and worked with Toys for Tots. Civilian category I supervisor - Tawanda Simpson, 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation specialist. Simpson led Air Education and Training Command's largest technical training personal property and passenger travel section, serving seven bases and 29 countries in the area of responsibility. She spearheaded logistics inspection preparation that earned the squadron an "excellent" rating. Simpson orchestrated a 160-member dormitory move, completed 35 days ahead of schedule. She's active in her church, worked with the varsity basketball squad and supported Special Olympics. Civilian category II supervisor - Desirae McIntyre, 334th TRS instructor supervisor. McIntyre led 14 instructors in conducting a 35-day command post course and managing $2 million in resources. Her team graduated 405 students and achieved a wash back and elimination rate 19 percent below projections, saving $120,000 in retraining costs. McIntyre is a reservist in the 403rd Wing and a self aid and buddy care instructor. She teaches Sunday school, raised funds for a domestic violence shelter, prepared Thanksgiving baskets for needy families, volunteered at a pregnancy help center and sent eight care packages to deployed members. First sergeant - Master Sgt. Casy Boomershine, 81st LRS. Boomershine supported 11 squadron members dealing with domestic, custody, medical, substance abuse and financial issues. She reduced her unit's physical training testing failures by 98 percent. She spoke to Airman Leadership School and First Term Airman Center classes and organized monthly wing promotion ceremonies. Boomershine led the First Sergeants Council's Project Cheer that raised $10,500 for Airmen in need and annual golf tournament that collected $3,800 for council projects. She led unit volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and a school nature trail project. Key Spouse - Lori Warren, 338th TRS. Warren, who's married to Staff Sgt. Russell Warren, transformed an office into a multipurpose spouse room where eight events were held. She prepared families for Hurricane Isaac, worked on a Thanksgiving event for spouses of deployed members, and led drives to provide books for deployed military and cookies for students who remained at Keesler over the holidays. She volunteered at a local elementary school, collected donations for a local food pantry, led teams for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, American Heart Association's Heart Walk and assisted with Special Olympics. Mathies NCO Academy NCO - Tech. Sgt. Becky Patterson, instructor. Patterson, who earned "excellent" ratings on two no-notice inspections, instructed five flights of 85 students, developing leaders for nine major commands, 26 bases and the Air National Guard. She facilitated graduation ceremonies and several distinguished visitor panels. She spearheaded seven class community service projects totaling 2,700 volunteer hours and raising $13,700 for charity. She participated in wing speed mentoring sessions, served as Air Force Assistance Fund representative and led 154 students in support of Special Olympics. Mathies NCO Academy senior NCO - Master Sgt. Mark Jegel, faculty development superintendent. Jegel was responsible for developing leaders from 58 bases and nine major commands. He led a building redesign and authored the academy's first trainee/trainer contract. He completed the National Defense University senior enlisted joint professional military education, attended 16 professional development seminars and fulfilled security manager training requirements. He serves as Top III recorder, a member of the saber team, organized the holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser for 18 organizations and led two teams for the Seabee Mud Run. Honor guard - Tech. Sgt. Kerry Ann Gaubault, NCO in charge. Gaubault filled the honor guard program manager void during the CUI and was recognized as an "outstanding performer." She reenergized the uniform exchange program by recycling 3,000 service dress items for 57 honor guard members, saving the wing $62,000. She coordinated 147 ceremonies and 658 military funeral honors for the largest area of responsibility in the command. She orchestrated the opening and closing ceremonies for Special Olympics and led a 30-member team that served meals at the Feed My Sheep meal site for underprivileged persons.