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.
2021 Finalist Jay Barlow, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Jay Barlow, Ph.D. Played an influential national role in monitoring and managing marine mammals by creating new survey methods and technology to protect and save the lives of whales, dolphins and other species.
2021 Finalist Lori Vislocky Emerging Leaders Lori Vislocky Developed and implemented a new system that enables authorities to quickly identify foreigners who pose a threat to national security or public safety before they travel to the United States.
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.
2022 Finalist Mark Williams, Ph.D. Emerging Leaders Mark Williams, Ph.D. Documented how agricultural runoff containing nitrogen and phosphorous used in fertilizers migrate into and pollute waterways, prompting new farming conservation practices to protect the environment.
2022 Finalist Diana Bianchi, M.D. COVID-19 Response Diana Bianchi, M.D. Initiated critical clinical research to understand the medical implications of COVID-19 on underserved populations, including pregnant women, children and people with disabilities.
2021 Finalist Ian Brownlee and the Interagency COVID Repatriation team COVID-19 Response Ian Brownlee and the Interagency COVID Repatriation team Created and managed a State Department-led task force that repatriated more than 100,000 Americans who were stranded in countries all over the world when borders were closed and airports shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.
2021 Finalist Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D. COVID-19 Response Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D. Laid the groundwork for strict scientific regulatory standards used for the rapid development, testing and approval of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines amid a deadly, once-in-a-century pandemic.
2022 Finalist Samantha Sutton Emerging Leaders Samantha Sutton Played an important behind-the-scenes role across three presidential administrations as an adviser on U.S. policy toward Israel and the Palestinians.
2022 Finalist Robert Fenton COVID-19 Response Robert Fenton Orchestrated the creation of 39 mass vaccination centers in early 2021 that in a short time administered lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines to 5.6 million people while also providing federal support to 1,600 smaller vaccination sites throughout the country.
2022 Finalist Gary Disbrow, Ph.D., Robert Johnson, Ph.D., Kimberly Armstrong, Ph.D., Rodney Wallace and team COVID-19 Response Gary Disbrow, Ph.D., Robert Johnson, Ph.D., Kimberly Armstrong, Ph.D., Rodney Wallace and team Led the federal effort to quickly identify and invest billions of dollars in the rapid development and production of COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
2021 Finalist Gregory M. Ruiz, Ph.D. Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Gregory M. Ruiz, Ph.D. Played a major role over three decades highlighting the environmental harm caused by the marine transport of invasive species, resulting in a federal reporting system, enforcement policies and improved shipboard management practices.
2021 Finalist Sherry Hunt, Ph.D. and the Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit Science, Technology and Environment Sherry Hunt, Ph.D. and the Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit Pioneered critically needed design techniques to rehabilitate and strengthen thousands of aging dams across the United States, limiting potential failures that could lead to the loss of life and property.
2022 Finalist Kyle Armstrong, Chris Janczewski, Ryan Landers and the Bitcoin Terror Takedown Team Safety, Security and International Affairs Kyle Armstrong, Chris Janczewski, Ryan Landers and the Bitcoin Terror Takedown Team Dismantled a series of sophisticated online fundraising campaigns run by three separate anti-American international terrorist organizations, seizing millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency.
2022 Finalist Craig McLean Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Craig McLean Played a critical role for decades in the exploration and mapping of the oceans which has provided insights into climate change, helped improve weather forecasting and led to a better understanding of marine life.
2022 Finalist Mark Reed, Valerie Hasberry, James Kaufmann Management Excellence Mark Reed, Valerie Hasberry, James Kaufmann Led the cleanup, restoration and enhanced security of the U.S. Capitol Building and grounds following the violent attack on Jan. 6, 2021, ensuring that the work of Congress could continue and the presidential inauguration could take place two weeks later.
2021 Finalist Kenneth Graham Safety, Security and International Affairs Kenneth Graham Coordinated the national response to the most active hurricane season on record during the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a 100% evacuation rate in the hardest–hit area during Hurricane Laura, the strongest U.S. landfall in 2020 season.
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.
2022 Finalist Brandon Wales Science, Technology and Environment Brandon Wales Protected government and commercial computer networks from highly sophisticated and damaging cyberattacks, safeguarding the COVID-19 vaccine supply chain and reducing the risks of devastating ransomware attacks.
2021 Finalist David L. Boucher, Ph.D., John Lee, Ph.D., Daniel Wolfe, Ph.D. and the Ebola Medical Countermeasures Task Force Science, Technology and Environment David L. Boucher, Ph.D., John Lee, Ph.D., Daniel Wolfe, Ph.D. and the Ebola Medical Countermeasures Task Force Oversaw the research and development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests that have been used to halt the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in Africa and avert the possibility of a pandemic.
2021 Finalist Edward Sisco, Ph.D. Emerging Leaders Edward Sisco, Ph.D. Devised a new method for crime laboratories to identify opioids and other drugs more quickly and safely, providing critical information to law enforcement while protecting lab employees from dangerous substances.
2021 Winner Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Ph.D., Barney S. Graham, M.D., Ph.D. Federal Employee of the Year Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Ph.D., Barney S. Graham, M.D., Ph.D. Conducted groundbreaking research that led to the development of highly effective vaccines in record time that are protecting hundreds of millions of people from contracting the deadly coronavirus that swept across the globe in 2020 and 2021.
2021 Finalist Virginia K. Busby, Dianne Garibotto, Camille Privett and the Economic Impact Payment team COVID-19 Response Virginia K. Busby, Dianne Garibotto, Camille Privett and the Economic Impact Payment team Expertly orchestrated the disbursement of hundreds of billions of dollars to tens of millions of people adversely affected by the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
2022 Finalist Joseph Poux Jr. Science, Technology and Environment Joseph Poux Jr. Organized a series of global environmental law enforcement operations targeting marine pollution and hazardous waste dumping that uncovered thousands of violations and led to the prosecution of countless individuals, companies and criminal networks.
2021 Finalist Chong Le Safety, Security and International Affairs Chong Le Oversaw the development of a $1 billion Air Force satellite system that will enable prediction of major weather events and natural disasters, providing military leaders and civilian authorities with information needed to make crucial, life-saving decisions.
2021 Winner Ana B. Hinojosa, Eric Choy and team People's Choice Award Ana B. Hinojosa, Eric Choy and team Directed enforcement actions against companies seeking to import goods produced by forced labor in China and other countries as part of a broader human rights effort to curb modern-day slavery.
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.
2021 Finalist William Hart-Cooper, Ph.D. Emerging Leaders William Hart-Cooper, Ph.D. Created novel formulations for disinfectants and packaging that break down into harmless substances after use, protecting human health and reducing environmental pollution.
2021 Finalist Zack Schwartz and the Census Bureau Trust & Safety team Safety, Security and International Affairs Zack Schwartz and the Census Bureau Trust & Safety team Led the first-of-its-kind government team that worked with technology companies to combat misinformation and disinformation that threatened the integrity of the 2020 census.
2020 Winner Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. Federal Employee of the Year Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. Served as the government’s premier expert and spokesperson on infectious diseases during six presidencies, including taking a prominent role in seeking to protect the public from the highly contagious and deadly new coronavirus that swept through the country and the world in 2020.
2020 Winner Ira Pastan, M.D. Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Ira Pastan, M.D. Discovered a new class of drugs that can successfully treat a rare form of leukemia and hold promise to be effective therapies for pancreatic and lung cancer as well as mesothelioma.
2020 Winner Beth Ripley, M.D., Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Beth Ripley, M.D., Ph.D. Created an interconnected, hospital-based 3D printing network that is assisting health care providers with medical procedures, reducing unnecessary surgeries and helping improve quality of life for veterans.
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 Winner Donna F. Dodson Safety, Security and International Affairs Donna F. Dodson Recognized as one of the nation’s premier cybersecurity experts, having helped develop the first commercially available encryption standards as well as state-of-the-art guidelines for government and industry to prevent, detect and respond to cyberattacks.
2020 Winner Vikram Krishnasamy, M.D. Emerging Leaders Vikram Krishnasamy, M.D. Established a training program and communications network to help local public health officials deal with the opioid epidemic, including coordinating outreach to patients when law enforcement arrested medical professionals for illegal conduct.
2020 Winner Corvelli A. McDaniel, Lorraine Cole, Ph.D. People's Choice Award Corvelli A. McDaniel, Lorraine Cole, Ph.D. Created an innovative program for large commercial financial institutions to provide management and technical assistance to help small and minority-owned banks strengthen their balance sheets and better serve low-income communities.
2020 Finalist Thomas Debass Safety, Security and International Affairs Thomas Debass Created public-private partnerships to advance America’s foreign policy interests while promoting economic growth and entrepreneurship in developing nations across the globe.
2020 Finalist Lina Alathari, Ph.D. Safety, Security and International Affairs Lina Alathari, Ph.D. Developed threat assessment guidelines and worked with law enforcement, educators and local communities to intervene and prevent possible mass shootings in schools, workplaces and public spaces.
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 Monica Ager Jacobsen Emerging Leaders Monica Ager Jacobsen Played a crucial behind-the-scenes role shaping the complex legal and policy issues involved in imposing sanctions against dozens of human rights abusers worldwide.
2020 Finalist Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Donna J. Shaver, Ph.D. Championed the conservation and recovery efforts for the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, helping save the species from extinction by protecting and preserving the nests at Padre Island National Seashore.
2020 Finalist Andrew Laurence, Ph.D., Shannon Ferguson, Ph.D. Emerging Leaders Andrew Laurence, Ph.D., Shannon Ferguson, Ph.D. Provided critical information to help law enforcement solve hundreds of drug smuggling cases and other crimes by analyzing microscopic pollen grains to determine where drugs were produced, and the routes taken, as well as the travel histories of crime victims.
2020 Finalist Chihoon Shin Emerging Leaders Chihoon Shin Recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on helicopter safety, having investigated numerous crashes and made important recommendations to prevent future mishaps and save lives.
2020 Finalist Christopher M. Janczewski, Zia M. Faruqui, Kimberly A. Reece and the W2V Team Safety, Security and International Affairs Christopher M. Janczewski, Zia M. Faruqui, Kimberly A. Reece and the W2V Team Led an international criminal investigation of the largest dark web child pornography site that accepted cryptocurrency to cloak more than one million video downloads, resulting in the arrest of the operator, more than 330 users and the rescue of 25 exploited children.
2020 Finalist Elizabeth J. Warner, Ph.D. Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Elizabeth J. Warner, Ph.D. Engaged in groundbreaking, evidence-based research for two decades that has led to the adoption of new K-12 teacher training and recruiting practices, improving instruction for students in disadvantaged communities and throughout the nation.
2020 Finalist Nancy J. Sullivan, Ph.D. Science, Technology and Environment Nancy J. Sullivan, Ph.D. Developed a highly effective medication for the deadly Ebola virus now awaiting federal approval, providing the ability to treat patients with this highly contagious disease that has ravaged African countries.
2020 Finalist John M. Melle, María L. Pagán and team Safety, Security and International Affairs John M. Melle, María L. Pagán and team Coordinated complex negotiations with Mexico and Canada, resulting in a $1.3 trillion trade agreement overwhelmingly approved by Congress that touches almost every aspect of the U.S. economy.
2020 Finalist John F. Tisdale, M.D., Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D. and the Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics team Science, Technology and Environment John F. Tisdale, M.D., Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D. and the Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics team Pioneered innovative research that could lead to a cure for sickle cell disease, an illness that affects more than 20 million people worldwide.
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.
2020 Finalist Thomas W. Prevoznik, Joseph Beemsterboer, Gary Cantrell and the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force team Safety, Security and International Affairs Thomas W. Prevoznik, Joseph Beemsterboer, Gary Cantrell and the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force team Investigated and arrested 73 health care professionals and other individuals in six states for the unlawful distribution of 40 million medically unnecessary pain pills, helping address the deadly nationwide opioid epidemic.
2020 Finalist Mark Andrew Braza and the Aircraft Carrier Refueling Complex Overhaul Cost Reduction Team Emerging Leaders Mark Andrew Braza and the Aircraft Carrier Refueling Complex Overhaul Cost Reduction Team Led the planning and contracting for the multibillion-dollar overhaul of the USS John C. Stennis, saving tens of millions of dollars and ensuring the nuclear aircraft carrier will play a critical national security role for the next 25 years.
2020 Finalist Peter A. Briss, M.D. and the 2019 Lung Injury Response team Science, Technology and Environment Peter A. Briss, M.D. and the 2019 Lung Injury Response team Identified the chemical compound in vaping products that caused life-threatening lung injuries among young adults, communicating the danger to public health and saving lives.
2020 Finalist Claire L. Parkinson, Ph.D. Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Claire L. Parkinson, Ph.D. Conducted cutting-edge scientific research over four decades documenting changes in the ice covers in the Arctic and Antarctic oceans and how they have played a significant role in climate change and adversely affected animal life.
2020 Finalist Cecilia M. Coates Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Cecilia M. Coates Created and runs a state-of-the-art global supply chain management system that provides $10 billion worth of goods and services every year to diplomats and other federal employees serving the United States overseas.
2020 Finalist Jon Michael Seward Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Jon Michael Seward Successfully brought lawsuits for nearly 30 years against banks to ensure that tens of thousands of people living in underserved and minority communities could gain access to credit.
2019 Winner Victoria Brahm Federal Employee of the Year Victoria Brahm Restored the quality and safety of a broken health care center for veterans that had become notorious for unsafe medical practices, excessive opioid use and a toxic work environment
2019 Winner Ann McKee, M.D. Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Ann McKee, M.D. Revolutionized scientific research and our understanding of the long-term effects of concussions, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, in veterans and athletes
2019 Winner Ryan Shelby, Ph.D. Safety, Security and International Affairs Ryan Shelby, Ph.D. Provided vital training and resources to help people in Haiti rebuild thousands of homes and roofs ripped apart by a Category 4 hurricane, making the structures safer and stronger to withstand future disasters
