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AFSOC’s financial managers “cash in” with DoD, SOCOM & Air Force recognition

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Rachelle Smith
  • Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
Air Commandos were awarded 18 service, component and Department of Defense-level financial management awards for their achievements in 2014.

The Air Force Special Operations Command members demonstrated dedication and effectiveness by receiving two Air Force, 13 United States Special Operations Command, and three Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) individual or team awards.

Senior Airman Anthony Dickens, 24th Special Operations Wing, won the Air Force Financial Management Airman of the Year, SOCOM and DoD’s award for Outstanding Contributions in FM in a Combat Zone. Master Sgt. JoAnn Toetz, 27th Special Operations Comptroller Squadron, earned recognition at the DoD financial management awards level for Contribution to Financial Management (Excluding Budget), and the 27th Special Operations Comptroller Squadron Financial Management Analysis team earned DoD’s Contributions in Budget Formulation and Execution team award.

“I’m both proud and humbled that our team members were selected for these awards,” said Annette Beard, director of AFSOC Financial Management and Comptroller. “It’s an honor to work with such an outstanding team.”

Two AFSOC Headquarters staffers’ hard work also paid dividends in the SOCOM competition. Lori Tetla took honors for Contributions to Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness at headquarters and component level. Capt. Andrew Fingall earned recognition for Contributions in Budget Formulation and Execution at headquarters and component level. AFSOC FM won four SOCOM team awards including the Outstanding FM Organization at the component level for the 12th year in a row.

“These awards are the result of a team of professionals who are dedicated and focused on the commander’s priorities and come in with their eye on the ball every day,” said Beard. “We are here to support our Air Commandos--to ensure our units have the funds they need to train, conduct global operations, and keep AFSOC installation services and facilities in first-class shape.”

The 1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron at Hurlburt Field took home three awards including the Air Force’s Major General Alfred K. Flowers Comptroller Organization of the Year award, which is given to recognize outstanding financial management accomplishments and their impact on the unit mission. Maj. James Cunningham, 1 SOCPTS commander, was named the SOCOM Outstanding Comptroller Below Component Level. The 1 SOCPTS also earned the SOCOM Contributions to Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Below Component Team award.

“I could not be any prouder of this incredible squadron,” said Cunningham. “It has truly been an honor being a part of this team.”

The 27 SOCPTS at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. had two individual SOCOM below Component Level winners, Scott Wetzel, for Contributions in Budget Formulation and Execution and Toetz, for Contribution to Financial Management (Excluding Budget). The squadron also won two SOCOM below component team awards for Contributions in Budget Formulation and Execution, as well as Contribution to Financial Management (Excluding Budget).

“This falls right into our second priority of creating an environment for our Airmen and families to thrive,” said Lt. Gen. Brad Heithold, AFSOC commander. “We can’t do anything without money, and our FM team does such a great job executing our programmed resources and acquiring additional resources to ensure we have everything we need for the fight. I could not be more proud of all their hard work and continued success over the years.”