Final Air Force winners announced for 2015 GEICO Awards

  • Published
  • By Kat Bailey
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Air Force officials announced that Master Sgt. Michael Champion, 312th Training Squadron, Air Education and Training Command, and Master Sgt. Joi Pearson, Headquarters, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command, have been selected as the final winners of the 2015 Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Awards, which annually recognize enlisted Total Force members from all branches of service for contributions to military or civilian communities.

The three award categories are drug and alcohol abuse prevention, fire safety and fire prevention, and traffic safety and accident prevention. The accident prevention category applies only to vehicle- or motorcycle-related accomplishments.

Champion exhibited expertise as a deployed assistant fire chief, fixing 875 safety fire hazards to protect 15,000 combat personnel, reducing fires by 92 percent and keeping $3.7 billion in critical war assets safe. As a strong advocate of risk management, he led his team in acing a high risk-course review, achieving a 54 percent reduction in total mishaps including, 67 percent of fire ground heat stress-related incidents.

Pearson was awarded her master's degree in community counseling while pursuing a state certification as a licensed professional and certified addiction counselor. She utilized her knowledge to lead 108 driving while intoxicated, relapse prevention, and anger management classes, providing support to clients on and off duty. Within three months, she reduced recidivism, leading to a 90 percent decline in traffic safety and drug and alcohol violations.

Champion and Pearson were recognized in Washington, D.C., at a special awards ceremony held earlier this spring. They also received a plaque to commemorate their accomplishments and a cash honorarium in the amount of $2,500 from the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation.

AFPC is currently seeking nominations for the 2016 GEICO awards. Search for eligibility and application procedures on myPers with the keyword "GEICO". For more information about Air Force personnel programs go to the myPers website. Individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following these instructions on the Air Force Retirees Services website.
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