WASHINGTON, D.C.— In an awards ceremony on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 at the Department of the Interior, several National Park Service (NPS) employees were among those honored by Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton. The 62nd Department of the Interior (DOI) Honor Awards Convocation was held in the Sidney Yates Auditorium at DOI. Awards were presented to DOI employees, volunteers, and partners who have shown courage in danger and dedication in service and who have made an exceptional effort in public conservation as well as behind-the scenes- contributions. A number of the awards recognized those who have made conservation contributions through the 4C’s – communication, consultation and cooperation in the service of conservation. Additional awards were presented for exemplary service to increase diversity throughout DOI.

“We could not be prouder of these exceptional individuals honored with these awards”, said National Park Service Director, Fran Mainella. “These are all special people who have gone the extra mile in their effort to serve.”

The list of National Park Service honorees is as follows:

Distinguished Service Award: is the highest honorary recognition an employee can receive within DOI. It is granted for an outstanding contribution to science, outstanding skill or ability in the performance of duty, outstanding contribution made during an eminent career in the Department or any other exceptional contribution to the public service. Recipients receive a special certificate and citation signed by the Secretary along with an engraved gold Distinguished Service Medal and a gold lapel pin.

Catherine A. Damon – Midwest Region
Gary W. Easton – Midwest Region, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
J. Lynn Smith – Washington Office
William C. Walters – Washington Office
 

Meritorious Service Awards: are the second highest honorary recognition granted to employees in DOI. It is presented for an important contribution to science or management, a notable career, superior service in administration or in the execution of duties, or initiative in devising new and improved work methods and procedures. A special certificate and citation signed by the Secretary, as well as an engraved silver Meritorious Service medal and silver lapel pin are presented to recipients by their Bureau or Office head. These NPS recipients who have been honored since the last Departmental Honor Awards Convocation are listed.

John F. Alston
Robert L. Arnberger – Alaska Region
Alford J. Banta – Intermountain Region: Canyonlands National Park
Edward B. Caudillo
Thomas A. Cherry III
John T. Crowley – Intermountain Region
Gary Cummins – National Capital Region: Harpers Ferry Center
Dale Ditmanson – Southeast Region: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Keith B. Dunbar – Pacific West Region
Mark E. Forbes – Pacific West Region
Roger E. Giddings – Southeast Region
Pete Hart – Intermountain Region
D. Paul Henry – Washington Office
Delores Highnote – Washington Office
Noby N. Ikeda – Pacific West Region: Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Marvin O. Jensen – Intermountain Region
A. Duran Jones – Washington Office
Suzanne Lewis – Intermountain Region: Yellowstone National Park
Sue E. Masica – Washington Office
Douglas Morris – Northeast Region
Cynthia L. Orlando – Pacific West Region: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Jack Pattie – Midwest Region: Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
John A Sacklin – Intermountain Region: Yellowstone National Park
Florence I. Six – Midwest Region
Boyd L. Sponaugle – Northeast Region
Michael D. Snyder – Intermountain Region
Karen Taylor-Goodrich – Washington Office
Thomas D. Thiessen – Midwest Region
Pamela Underhill – National Capital Region: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Rickie L. Wagner
Gregg W. Yarrow – Intermountain Region
Jay F. Wells
 

The Secretary’s Four C’s Award: is granted to a DOI employee, or a group or team of employees who demonstrate exceptional contributions, methods and efforts to promote the Secretary’s initiatives. An individual or group/team nominated for this award must demonstrate excellent communicative relationships with all stakeholders involved in decisions that concern our nation’s natural resources, creating win-win situations for stakeholders, as well as for the environment. A special certificate and citation signed by the Secretary are presented to the recipients.

Joint Ventures: Partners in Stewardship Conference: Core Planning Team
Peggy O’Dell, Co-Chairman- accepting – Midwest Region, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Brian O’Neill, Co-Chairman – Pacific West Region: Golden Gate National Recreation Area
 

4C’s, Partnerships and Collaborative Action Team
Brian O’Neill, Co-Chairman – Pacific West Region: Golden Gate National Recreation Area
 

Park Flight Migratory Bird Program Team
Carol Beidleman, Program Coordinator – accepting
Gary Johnston – Washington Office
David Krewson – Washington Office
Jonathan Putnam – Washington Office
 

Valor Award: is presented to DOI employees who have demonstrated unusual courage involving a high degree of personal risk in the face of danger. The act of heroism is not required to be related to official duties or to have occurred at the official duty station. Recipients receive a special certificate and citation signed by the Secretary and an engraved gold Valor award medal.

Dan Burgette – Intermountain Region: Grand Teton National Park
Christopher J. Burke – Intermountain Region
William Collup – Pacific West Region: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Steven Elenburg – Pacific West Region: Joshua Tree National Park
Michael Fedorko III – Alaska Region: Katmai National Park & Preserve
James M. Gavin – Alaska Region
Dan Fangen-Gritis – Pacific West Region
Chris Harder – Intermountain Region: Grand Teton National Park
Craig Holm – Intermountain Region: Grand Teton National Park
Richard J. Larrabee – Southeast Region
Leo Larson – Intermountain Region: Grand Teton National Park
Talmadge Magno – Pacific West Region
John McConnell – Intermountain Region: Grand Teton National Park
George Montopoli – Intermountain Region: Grand Teton National Park
Gregory P. Muller – Alaska Region
Michael J. Sanger - Intermountain Region
Jim Springer – Intermountain region: Grand Teton National Park
Martin Vidak – Intermountain Region: Grand Teton National Park
 

Conservation Service:is granted to individuals or groups who are not employed by the Department, but who have performed outstanding and direct service to DOI. It is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a private citizen or group by the Secretary. A special; certificate and citation signed by the Secretary are presented to the recipients.

Werner Braun – Pacific West Region

Task Force Operation Indian Rocks
Todd Swain – Special Agent, National Park Service
 

Citizen’s Award for Bravery: is granted to private citizens for heroic acts or unusual bravery in the face of danger. Recipients have risked their lives to save the life of a Departmental employee or the life of any other person while on property owned by or entrusted to the DOI. A special certificate and citation signed by the Secretary are presented to the recipients.

Tim Bromelkamp – National Capital Region
John R. Dowling – Intermountain Region
Kevin Dowling – Intermountain Region
Fred Esparza – Pacific West Region
Vann Johnston – Intermountain Region
Gil Rocha – National Capital Region
Kevin Douglas Scheirer – Northeast Region
Karen Welden – Pacific West Region
 

Secretary’s Diversity Award: recognizes and honors individual employee or groups of employees who have demonstrated exemplary service and /or have made significant contributions with the DOI in its efforts to substantially increase diversity at all levels.

Thomas Ferranti – Award for Management Achievement – Alaska Region

Healthier Feds Award: recognizes those bureaus with the highest percentage of their employees completing the HealthierFeds Physical Activity Challenge, and the bureau’s points of contact for their dedication and significant contributions.

Tom Ross – Washington Office

Presidential Rank Award: is the highest performance honor awarded to a Federal civilian employee. The Presidential Rank Awards were established in 1978 to recognize career Senior Executive Service members who performed exceptionally at the executive level for an extended period of time.

Dr. Michael A. Soukup (2003) – Washington Office

2004 Unsung Hero Award: recognizes DOI employees who have made valuable behind-the scene contributions to the Department. Bureaus and offices recognize their Unsung Heroes throughout the year and forward up to five nominations to the Department annually for consideration for the Bureau/Office’s Departmental recipient.

Jane Anderson – Fee Program – Washington Office