2024 Winner Amira Choueiki Boland Management Excellence Amira Choueiki Boland Pioneered policies to improve government services and the customer experience in areas ranging from newborn care and disaster assistance to renewing passports online.
2024 Finalist Darnita S. Trower, Wanda J. Brown, Gerald D. Johnson and the Paperless Processing Initiative Team Management Excellence Darnita S. Trower, Wanda J. Brown, Gerald D. Johnson and the Paperless Processing Initiative Team Developed a new system that will enable taxpayers to electronically submit all correspondence and non-tax forms to the IRS for the 2024 filing season, laying the groundwork for future advancements in paperless processing.
2024 Finalist Christopher Johnston, Rachel Han, Ryan Thurlwell and the VA Mobile App Team Management Excellence Christopher Johnston, Rachel Han, Ryan Thurlwell and the VA Mobile App Team Developed an app that enables veterans to use their mobile phones or tablets to view and cancel health care appointments, manage claims, upload documentation, obtain vaccine records, message their doctor, locate Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and more.
2024 Finalist Elizabeth (Biza) Repko Management Excellence Elizabeth (Biza) Repko Led critical research projects that exposed gaps in vehicle safety features, and uncovered shortcomings in the reliability of the U.S. rail and highway systems.
2024 Finalist Mike Schmidt and the CHIPS Program Team Management Excellence Mike Schmidt and the CHIPS Program Team Implemented a multibillion-dollar program to supercharge the U.S. semiconductor industry that will increase domestic production of chips that are vital to our everyday life and strengthen American manufacturing and national security.
2023 Winner Paul Nissenbaum, Gloria M. Shepherd, Maria S. Lefevre and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Implementation Team Management Excellence Paul Nissenbaum, Gloria M. Shepherd, Maria S. Lefevre and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Implementation Team Helped craft and implement the $1 trillion infrastructure law that will modernize the nation’s highways, bridges, shipping ports, railroads and airports.
2023 Winner Sarah O’Donnell, Allison Hutchings, Megan Meacham and the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Team People's Choice Award Sarah O’Donnell, Allison Hutchings, Megan Meacham and the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Team Created a major initiative that provides grants for prevention, treatment and recovery services to help millions of people suffering from opioid use in rural communities across the country.
2021 Winner Michelle Daniels, Charles D. Eldridge, Ryan E. Jones and the Office of Public and Indian Housing Foster Youth to Independence team Management Excellence Michelle Daniels, Charles D. Eldridge, Ryan E. Jones and the Office of Public and Indian Housing Foster Youth to Independence team Created an innovative program offering housing assistance and social services to young people aging out of foster care to prevent them from becoming homeless and to provide an opportunity for self-sufficiency.
2021 Finalist Mary Frances Matthews Management Excellence Mary Frances Matthews Reduced the lengthy backlog of disability appeals for veterans by 87% in two years, providing long-awaited decisions on benefits to thousands of individuals.
2021 Finalist Gary Washington Management Excellence Gary Washington Led a technology transformation at the Department of Agriculture, dramatically increasing efficiency, productivity and security, and improving service to the public.
2022 Winner Gregory Robinson Federal Employee of the Year Gregory Robinson Oversaw the successful launch of NASA’s revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope after years of delays and billions of dollars in cost overruns, setting the stage for spectacular discoveries about the origins of the universe.
2022 Finalist Yolanda López Management Excellence Yolanda López Guided Voice of America through a tumultuous period of political upheaval, restoring the integrity and independence of its news operations while providing strong support for the workforce.
2021 Finalist Stephen G. Jurczyk Management Excellence Stephen G. Jurczyk Oversaw the landing of a rover on Mars, two successful U.S. astronaut flights to the International Space Station and the planning to put the first woman and first person of color on the moon while leading NASA through the pandemic.
2023 Finalist Blane Workie, Robert Gorman, Jessica Ilich and the Aviation Consumer Protection Team Management Excellence Blane Workie, Robert Gorman, Jessica Ilich and the Aviation Consumer Protection Team Led an aggressive campaign to ensure airlines refund travelers for canceled or significantly delayed flights and require coverage of other related costs when circumstances are within the airline’s control, and held airlines accountable with a record $8.35 million in fines and more than $1 billion in passenger refunds.
2023 Finalist Dr. John Palmieri, Richard McKeon, James Wright, and the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office Management Excellence Dr. John Palmieri, Richard McKeon, James Wright, and the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office Established a new 988 national three-digit suicide prevention and drug crisis telephone, text and chat lifeline service, helping greater numbers of people receive assistance than an older 10-digit phone line, while providing quicker, more professional support.
2023 Finalist Lisa Gifaldi, Shelly Pierce, Andrea Gold-O’Connor and the SNAP Online Purchasing Team Management Excellence Lisa Gifaldi, Shelly Pierce, Andrea Gold-O’Connor and the SNAP Online Purchasing Team Developed a system that for the first time allowed millions of low-income urban and rural residents lacking access to supermarkets and healthy food choices to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to purchase food online.
2022 Finalist Antonio Rios Management Excellence Antonio Rios Instituted an innovative system that has reduced opioid addiction among federal employees receiving workers’ compensation benefits, while also streamlining and speeding up the process for filing claims.
2022 Winner Barbara C. Morton Management Excellence Barbara C. Morton Built trust and a customer-oriented culture among veterans and their families seeking services and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs by listening and responding to their needs.
2021 Finalist Mary D. Gibert Management Excellence Mary D. Gibert Successfully coordinated the federal assistance effort for the 2020–21 presidential transition in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and a disputed election.
2020 Winner Neil C. Evans, M.D., Kathleen L. Frisbee, Ph.D., Kevin Galpin, M.D. Management Excellence Neil C. Evans, M.D., Kathleen L. Frisbee, Ph.D., Kevin Galpin, M.D. Developed vital telehealth options, mobile apps and digital services for veterans to receive health care virtually, while removing barriers to implementation through policy, regulatory and administrative changes.
2020 Finalist J. Christopher Mihm Management Excellence J. Christopher Mihm Provided Congress and the executive branch with nonpartisan, fact-based information and recommendations to curb tens of billions of dollars in fraud, waste and abuse, and improve federal agency performance.
2020 Finalist David E. Gray Management Excellence David E. Gray Expertly managed the government’s transition of the National Airspace System from ground-based radar to satellite tracking of aircraft, making flying safer and more efficient.
2020 Finalist Matthew C. Eanes Management Excellence Matthew C. Eanes Helped lead the government’s efforts to shrink the enormous backlog of federal background investigations and designed the most comprehensive reform of the process in 60 years.
2019 Winner Robert Cabana and the Kennedy Space Center Senior Management Team Management Excellence Robert Cabana and the Kennedy Space Center Senior Management Team Transformed the historic Kennedy Space Center into a globally distinguished, multiuser launch site for government and commercial space exploration, helping preserve our country’s leadership in this important field
2019 Finalist Osama El-Lissy Management Excellence Osama El-Lissy Created a highly effective plan that led the United States to become the first and only country to eradicate the pink bollworm, saving cotton growers tens of millions of dollars annually
2019 Finalist Shannon Sartin and Team Management Excellence Shannon Sartin and Team Led the development of digital tools to make it easier for Medicare patients to access their electronic health records and for doctors to receive payment for the quality, not the quantity, of the care they provide
2019 Finalist Paul Shute, Christopher Aragao and David Enright Management Excellence Paul Shute, Christopher Aragao and David Enright Dramatically cut the time and manpower needed to make decisions on service-related mental health claims for veterans, helping tens of thousands of individuals each year receive their benefits faster
2018 Winner Marcella Jacobs and the VA Digital Service Team Management Excellence Marcella Jacobs and the VA Digital Service Team Created online digital tools for veterans to more easily access benefits and services, delivering a high-quality and seamless user experience
2018 Finalist Guy Demeter Management Excellence Guy Demeter Developed wide-ranging data management systems that enable FBI analysts to investigate criminal activity and identify threats more quickly
2018 Finalist Ariel Gold Management Excellence Ariel Gold Improved data-sharing to accelerate the adoption of new technologies that increase transportation safety and efficiency, including self-driving cars and vehicles that communicate with one another
2018 Finalist Andy Neal and the NFIP Reinsurance Program Team Management Excellence Andy Neal and the NFIP Reinsurance Program Team Persuaded private reinsurers for the first time to assume some flood damage liability, saving the National Flood Insurance Program $1 billion in claims in 2017
2017 Winner Courtney Lias, Stayce Beck and the FDA Artificial Pancreas Team Management Excellence Courtney Lias, Stayce Beck and the FDA Artificial Pancreas Team Paved the way for the first artificial pancreas device to receive FDA approval faster than expected, helping transform the lives of Americans with Type 1 diabetes
2017 Finalist Brenda B. Smith and the Single Window Team Management Excellence Brenda B. Smith and the Single Window Team Led the development and implementation of a single, electronic portal for exporters and importers to submit information on shipments that cross U.S. borders, saving government and businesses time and money
2017 Finalist Thomas R. Davis and the Rental Assistance Demonstration Team Management Excellence Thomas R. Davis and the Rental Assistance Demonstration Team Generated $3.9 billion in private investments that have been used to rebuild or renovate public housing to make it safe and affordable for tens of thousands of low-income individuals and families across the U.S.
2017 Finalist Elizabeth Angerman and the Unified Shared Services Team Management Excellence Elizabeth Angerman and the Unified Shared Services Team Created standards and methods for federal agencies to consolidate common administrative functions more easily, allowing government leaders to focus more of their time and resources on mission-related responsibilities
2017 Finalist John Pilotte and Heather Grimsley Management Excellence John Pilotte and Heather Grimsley Improved patient care and saved $1.3 billion through a new health care delivery system that compensates doctors and hospitals for the quality of medical outcomes as opposed to the quantity of patient services
2016 Finalist Patricia Dehmer Management Excellence Patricia Dehmer Transformed and expanded the Energy Department’s state-of-the-art research laboratories to meet our nation’s long-term energy needs, leading to breakthroughs in superconductivity, nanotechnology, X-ray imaging and more.
2016 Finalist Kimya Lee and the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Team Management Excellence Kimya Lee and the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Team Turned a government-wide survey into an effective tool for managers to better understand employee views of the workplace, providing critical data for leaders to improve employee engagement, satisfaction and performance.
2016 Winner William Gregory Burel Management Excellence William Gregory Burel Expertly manages the $7 billion national stockpile of emergency medicines and medical supplies, and has spearheaded 10 major and 30 other responses, from an influenza pandemic to the Ebola crisis.
2015 Finalist Steven W. Zander Management Excellence Steven W. Zander Developed innovative partnerships between Air Force bases and neighboring cities to save money on essential community services, from recreation activities to snow removal.
2015 Finalist Edward J. Ramotowski and the Consular Affairs Team Management Excellence Edward J. Ramotowski and the Consular Affairs Team Increased the number of foreign visitors to the U.S., boosted economic activity and created jobs by improving visa processing capacity and reducing interview wait times at embassies worldwide.
2015 Winner Edward C. Hugler Management Excellence Edward C. Hugler As the Labor Department’s “Mr. Fix-It,”solved numerous critical management challenges, including saving the agency’s financial management system after its service provider went bankrupt.
2015 Finalist Susan S. Kelly and the DOD Transition to Veterans Program Office Management Excellence Susan S. Kelly and the DOD Transition to Veterans Program Office Transformed and enhanced how the federal government annually prepares more than 200,000 service members for their transition to civilian life.
2015 Finalist Kevin L. Hannes and the FEMA Operation Precious Cargo Team Management Excellence Kevin L. Hannes and the FEMA Operation Precious Cargo Team Coordinated emergency assistance when tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors from Central America crossed the Southwest border, providing them food, shelter and medical care, and helping unite the children with family members.
2016 Finalist Burke Healey and the Avian Influenza Emergency Response Team Management Excellence Burke Healey and the Avian Influenza Emergency Response Team Halted the spread of the largest animal disease outbreak in U.S. history, an avian influenza virus that threatened human health, the poultry industry and the jobs of 1.8 million people.
2014 Finalist Ronald E. Walters Management Excellence Ronald E. Walters Honored our country’s veterans by delivering the pinnacle of care and service at their final resting place, while increasing availability and access to burial sites throughout the country.
2014 Finalist Marion Mollegen McFadden and the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force Management Excellence Marion Mollegen McFadden and the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force In the months following Hurricane Sandy, coordinated efforts of numerous federal agencies to help rebuild stronger and safer communities.
2014 Finalist Sonny Hashmi Management Excellence Sonny Hashmi Led the General Services Administration’s “Cloud Initiative,” improving employee effectiveness, reducing agency costs and creating a model for other federal agencies to follow.
2014 Winner Alan J. Lindenmoyer Management Excellence Alan J. Lindenmoyer Transformed NASA’s space travel programs, helping the U.S. continue important space research while reducing taxpayer costs and stimulating the commercial space industry.
2013 Finalist Harry Haskins and the Team Management Excellence Harry Haskins and the Team Revitalized a faltering small business investment program, putting billions of dollars in the hands of entrepreneurs who have created thousands of jobs since 2009.
2013 Winner Kevin T. Geiss Management Excellence Kevin T. Geiss Championed the safe use of alternative fuels to ensure energy independence for combat and support missions around the globe and reduced U.S. Air Force fuel and energy consumption, saving more than $1 billion in 2012 alone.
2013 Finalist Claire Votaw Management Excellence Claire Votaw Developed a shared IT network for American embassies and federal agencies operating overseas, saving money and reducing duplication.
2013 Finalist Margaret Focarino and the Team Management Excellence Margaret Focarino and the Team Led bold reforms that dramatically improved the speed and quality of patent examinations and approvals, helping incentivize new technologies and spur economic growth.
2012 Winner Elliot B. Branch Management Excellence Elliot B. Branch Through savvy acquisition and procurement, ensures our warfighters have the right equipment when they need it, at the best possible value for the American taxpayer.
2012 Finalist Arleas Upton Kea Management Excellence Arleas Upton Kea Simultaneously managed the critical tasks of doubling the FDIC’s workforce to respond to the nation’s financial crisis and overseeing a culture change initiative at the agency.
2012 Finalist Alice Muellerweiss Management Excellence Alice Muellerweiss Established a new unified approach to training and career development to help Department of Veterans Affairs’ employees nationwide more effectively meet the needs of the men and women who have served our country.
2012 Finalist Danette Campbell Management Excellence Danette Campbell Designed and leads the government’s most successful teleworking program that has saved millions of dollars, increased productivity and boosted employee job satisfaction and commitment.
2012 Finalist Joseph Kennedy, Ray Decker and Hakeem Basheerud-Deen Management Excellence Joseph Kennedy, Ray Decker and Hakeem Basheerud-Deen Successfully increased the number of veterans hired by the federal government by matching their skills with government careers.
2011 Finalist Michael B. Smith Management Excellence Michael B. Smith Saved U.S. taxpayers more than $750 million over three years by bringing together the buying power of 22 agencies and offices within the Department of Homeland Security.
2011 Finalist Ann Marie Oliva Management Excellence Ann Marie Oliva Created data systems that shortened the time it takes to award homeless grants, reduced administrative costs by 90 percent and provided information to better evaluate homeless programs.