Philadelphia Federal Executive Board 2004 Excellence in Government Awards

The Federal Executive Boards (FEB) were established in 1961 by a Presidential Directive to improve coordination among federal activities and programs outside of Washington. Approximately 84 percent of all federal employees work outside the national capital area. Decisions affecting the expenditure of billions of dollars are made in the field. Federal programs have their impact largely through the actions of field representatives of departments and agencies. In addition, federal employees outside Washington are the principal contact that the federal government has with the citizens of this country.

The FEB Excellence in Government Awards ceremony recognizes Philadelphia region U.S. federal government employees for their exceptional performance and outstanding contributions to the public and private sectors.

Gold Medal winners - Outstanding Professional Performer – Group

CBP Officers Francis McGowan, Evan Davidow, Jonathan Pito, and Kevin Naber were awarded the gold medal for the work they did shortly after the creation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in March 2003.

During this transition period other changes were taking place in Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia began the construction of a new overseas airport terminal; functional responsibilities were merging under the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection organization; and supervisors needed to train employees about this new organization and its responsibilities. To complicate matters, the city required a very tight deadline for the opening of the new overseas airport terminal. This was certainly a tremendous challenge for McGowan, Davidow, Pito, and Naber who were tasked to pull all airport issues and mission requirements together, while maintaining a focused workforce of immigration officers.

With construction of the new airport terminal completed McGowan, Davidow, Pito and Naber had the responsibility for coordinating the movement of all property, equipment and employees into the newly constructed terminal space while ensuring that the inspections process was not interrupted or affected.

Silver Medal winner - Improved Federal Image – Individual

CBP Officer Antonio Blackwell was awarded the silver medal for his work as a CBP liaison to the City of Philadelphia. He established an outstanding rapport with city officials, with other government agencies and employees during the relocation to the new Philadelphia International Airport Terminal.

During the relocation, CBP Officer Blackwell, was asked to perform various collateral duty assignments. He helped management oversee the relocation of the immigration inspection functions from the old terminal at the Philadelphia International Airport to its new and expanded location at the overseas terminal located at Terminal A West.

Blackwell ensured that the new inspection space was operational by the scheduled date required by the City of Philadelphia and also ensured that all property and equipment was purchased and installed within a limited budget allowance.

All the above was accomplished by Mr. Blackwell without affecting his normal duties as a CBP Officer.

Red Cross

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement. The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross functions independently of the government but works closely with government agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, during major crises.

The El Paso Chapter of the American Red Cross, in the new law enforcement hero category, selected two CBP Border Patrol agents as “2004 Heroes of the Pass.”

Heroes of the Pass is an exclusive awards program designed to recognize the “everyday heroes” in the community who get involved to save the life of another. Some may have used the lifesaving skills they learned in American Red Cross courses.

In February, CBP Border Patrol Agent Ramon Pina was on duty and driving New Mexico’s Highway 9, when he found an elderly man slumped behind the wheel of a car by the side of the highway. Agent Pina noticed a medic alert necklace and bracelet that identified the man as diabetic and called for help. Supervisory Border Patrol Agent George Schoen arrived and recognized a diabetic emergency from the man’s weak pulse and mental status. Schoen gave the man a tube of oral glucose and started administering oxygen while Pina gave directions to the responding ambulance. The man was transported to a hospital for follow-up care.

Women in Law Enforcement Scholarship Program

Women in Law Enforcement (WIFLE) is a non-profit organization that was created in 1982. It was an outgrowth of a committee formed by the Departments of Treasury and Justice. WIFLE’s goal is to achieve gender equity within federal law enforcement through the recruitment, retention, and promotion of qualified women in law enforcement, and to develop an information sharing and support network for all women in law enforcement.

Every year WIFLE presents academic scholarship awards. The scholarships go to talented students who meet the demands of the field of law enforcement, and to foster the professional development of those working in law enforcement. The scholarships are awarded based on the student’s academic potential, achievement, and commitment to serving their local communities.

At the June 23rd WIFLE award ceremony, the keynote speaker was Janet Hale, DHS Under Secretary for Management, who presented one of the academic scholarships to Cecile LaBron, a CBP intern from San Juan, Puerto Rico. In addition to submitting her scholarship application, LaBron had to write a 500-word essay describing the community project she participated in and the impact the project had on the community. The topic of her essay was “Leadership out of love…”

The hard work of CBP Officers McGowan, Davidow, Pito, Naber, and Blackwell ensured that the opening of a new international arrival terminal during CBP’s transition period went smoothly and did not adversely effect the flow of travelers. CBP Border Patrol Agents Schoen and Pina’s quick action saved an elderly gentleman’s life. Cecile LaBron plans to join the men and women of CBP after graduation.

These CBP employees are only a few of the outstanding men and women who are willing to go the extra step—above and beyond the call of duty.

EC