21 Airmen receive 2008 Presidential Rank Award

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Gina Vaccaro
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
 Twenty-One Air Force senior executives and senior professionals received the 2008 Presidential Rank Award for sustained achievement in government service. President Bush announced the recipients at the Pentagon Sep. 30, 2008. The Air Force will honor the award recipients at a ceremony in April.

"Air Force leadership is proud to be so well represented," said Ms. Cheryl Medlin, the former Air Force PRA coordinator at the Pentagon. "These Airmen have made a significant contribution to positively impact the government on a sustained basis. This award is a testament to their leadership and dedication."

The 2008 Air Force recipients of the Distinguished Presidential Rank award are:

-- Kenneth K. Dumm
-- Dr. Donald B. Paul
-- Barbara A. Westgate
-- Patricia J. Zarodkiewicz

The 2008 Air Force recipients of the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive/Senior Professional are:

-- David C. Bond
-- Charles G. Carpenter
-- Alok Das
-- Robert Edward Dawes
-- Joseph de Penne Rouge
-- Robert E. Duignan
-- David H. Eskins
-- Martha J. Evans
-- Dr. Barry L. Farmer
-- Jay H. Jordan
-- Martin M. Mazick
-- Joseph M. McDade, Jr.
-- Patsy J. Reeves
-- Joe Sciabica
-- Dr. Larry B. Simpson
-- Barbara Jo White-Olson
-- Patricia M. Young

The awards, administered by the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of the Secretary of Defense, are presented annually and are open to all government agencies. Each agency can nominate up to 9 percent of the career senior executive service employees and senior professionals. The president of the United States reviews the recommendations and picks the award winners.

Only 5 percent of the SES and equivalents, which make up approximately .03 percent of the total civilian federal workforce, may be awarded the Meritorious-level rank award. Only 1 percent may be awarded the Distinguished-level award.

Recipients in both categories receive a framed certificate signed by the president, a lapel pin, and a lump-sum bonus of either 35 percent or 20 percent of their basic pay, respectively. The PRA has the largest pay bonus associated with an award for the federal government.

"The Presidential Rank Awards are the most prestigious awards that are given at the senior executive and equivalent level," Air Force PRA coordinator at the Pentagon, Peruena Johnson, said. "They recognize and celebrate our very best career executives and professionals."

The Air Force will hold an official award presentation ceremony followed by a formal reception April 17, 2009 to honor the 21 award winners. The ceremony will be conducted at the Women in Service to America Memorial in Washington D.C., and will be hosted by the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff.

"The reception is not only a celebration for the award recipients, it is a way to honor the loved ones who have been there to encourage, support, and sacrifice so [the award recipients] could go above and beyond," said Ms. Johnson.

For more information about the Presidential Rank Awards, a full list of this year's winners, or information on how to nominate an employee, visit the OPM web site, http://www.opm.gov/.