ALCGPSC 147/24 - SELECTION OF THE 2024 ANNUAL MWR AWARDS

ALCGPSC 147/24

SUBJ: SELECTION OF THE 2024 ANNUAL MWR AWARDS

A. ALCGPSC 078/24

1. In accordance with reference (a), I am pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 MWR Awards. Thank you to all units for participating in the Annual MWR Awards and recognizing the contributions of MWR to support the readiness, retention, and resiliency of the Coast Guard family.

2. MWR Professional of the Year.

a. Senior MWR Professional of the Year: Jeffrey Wapner, BASE Portsmouth. Mr. Wapner, the D5 Regional MWR Director, drove new organizational initiatives that surpassed MWR strategic goals, positively impacting the program across the D5 area. He orchestrated 10 in-person events, three intramural sporting seasons, and a multi-month fitness challenge, in addition to programs tailored for single Sentinels in barracks. His commitment to customer service facilitated 103 Shipmate Fund Requests totaling $412K and oversight of 64 Capital Improvement Fund project submissions valued at $2.85M. He also expedited 24 units' Coast Guard Foundation Grants valued at $67K.

b. Junior MWR Professional of the Year: Jennifer Simeonoff, BASE Kodiak. Ms. Simeonoff serves as the Youth Activities Director at BASE Kodiak. Her vision and dedication were pivotal to expand family and youth programs. She successfully rebuilt the Teen Center and Youth Sports programs post-COVID, thereby creating safe environments for activities. Her leadership provided exceptional service to over 10,500 patrons, enhancing the mission readiness and resiliency of the Coast Guard workforce. Notably, she is the only Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) Tier 1 Trainer in the Coast Guard, having completed over 40 hours of training and partnered with BGCA to secure grant opportunities. Her efforts led BASE Kodiak to become the first Coast Guard facility to receive a grant from the ZAC Foundation, hosting a water safety camp for over 100 youth.

c. Junior MWR Professional of the Year Runner-up: CS1 Richard Stockman, Base Portsmouth.

d. Senior MWR Professional of the Year Runner-up: William Hogge, TRACEN Yorktown.

3. MWR and Morale Programs of the Year.

a. Large MWR Program of the Year
1. First Place: TRACEN YORKTOWN
2. Runner Up: TRACEN CAPE MAY

b. Medium MWR Program of the Year
1. First Place: BASE PORTSMOUTH
2. Runner Up: NO APPLICANT

c. Small MWR Program of the Year
1. First Place: CG AIRSTA CLEARWATER
2. Runner Up: CG SECTOR SAINT PETERSBURG

d. Large Morale Program of the Year
1. First Place: CG C5ISC
2. Runner Up: CGC ALEX HALEY

e. Medium Morale Program of the Year
1. First Place: CGC WALNUT
2. Runner Up: CGC JUNIPER

f. Small Morale Program of the Year
1. First Place: CGC OLIVER HENRY
2. Runner Up: CGC SMILAX

4. Each receiving command will receive recognition for presentation at a suitable award ceremony. NAF Cash awards will be provided to each first-place winner and Runner-ups in each category IAW reference (a). Further guidance will be provided to units upon funds transfer.

5. The MWR awards board consisted of the following members:
Matt Perciak, CSC, MWR Program Manager
CDR Tracey Torba, LOG-3, Base Operations
CWO Gregory Shannon, Base LA/LB, D11 Regional MWR Director
CWO Sean Dotson, CSC, MWR Financial Services Manager
CMC Phillip Waldron, Personnel Service Center, CMC

6. Proceedings of the Annual MWR Awards board, including deliberations and criteria for selection, cannot be disclosed to any person who was not a member of the board. If there are any questions regarding the board process, contact Stephen Bishop, CSC, MWR Deputy Program Manager, at 757-842-4929.

7. RDML Z. Merchant, Commander, Personnel Service Center (CG-PSC), sends.

8. Internet release authorized.