166th Comptroller Flight Superintendent recognized by Gov. Carney

Photo By Staff Sgt. John Michaels | DOVER, Del.- Master Sgt. Lori Friess superintendent, 166th Comptroller Flight, Delaware Air National Guard, stands with Delaware Gov. John Carney on Jan. 18, 2018. Friess was recognized during the Delaware Governor’s State of the State address at Legislative Hall as an exceptional member of the Delaware National Guard. She deployed to Ahed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, from January –August 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, where she served as the paying agent for the 407th Air Expeditionary Group. Friess received the Paying Agent of the Rotation Award, which is awarded to the top paying agent of an area of responsibility (AOR) during a specific rotation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John Michaels/ Released)  

NEW CASTLE, DE, UNITED STATES

01.19.2018

Story by Tech. Sgt. Gwendolyn Blakley 

166th Airlift Wing

NEW CASTLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Del. - Master Sgt. Lori Friess, superintendent, 166th Comptroller Flight, Delaware Air National Guard, takes a moment to answer a few questions for 166th Public Affairs videographer- photographer John Michaels on Jan. 19. At the Delaware Governor’s State of the State address Jan. 18, Gov. John Carney recognized 166th Comptroller Flight superintendent Master Sgt. Lori Friess as an exceptional member of the Delaware National Guard.

Friess was recognized at the event at Legislative Hall in Dover, along with 1st Lt. Michael Kerr of the 1049th Transportation Company, Delaware Army National Guard.

Friess has had a distinguished year. She deployed to Ahed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, from January –August 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, where she served as the paying agent for the 407th Air Expeditionary Group and the non-commissioned officer in charge for the finance office, doing everything from paying bills and making vendor purchases to working with coalition forces to complete cross-service agreements.

She also did a special mission as a designated paying agent for Operation Eagle Resolve. While deployed she maintained a 1.5 million dollar bank account for the base; balanced over 3 thousand transactions; and dispersed 112 thousand dollars in vendor payments that funded 36 high- priority projects.

For her efforts, Friess received the Paying Agent of the Rotation Award, which is awarded to the top paying agent of an area of responsibility (AOR) during a specific rotation. During her rotation there were eight other paying agents.

“I feel great about being recognized. We had the smallest office in the AOR, but was told by our inspector that we made the greatest footprint,” said Friess. “I was confident in myself and my team, and I could not have won this award without them.”

Her advice to other finance Airmen looking to make a big impact? Know your job well.

“Take the money seriously. You are in charge of a lot of money while you’re there. Take care of your customers; you are working with a lot of vendors. Do the best job that you can.”

Lt. Col. Steven Willey, commander, 166th Comptroller Flight, is proud of the leadership that Friess displays at her home unit and how she led her team overseas.

"Master Sgt. Friess is one of those individuals that is a leader no matter where she goes. Her leadership is exceptional here in the 166th Comptroller Flight and while deployed in the AOR,” he said. “She is extremely knowledgeable within the finance career field, and is very deserving of this recognition."

This tour of duty was Friess’ first deployment of her career, though she has been making a positive impact as an Airman for 26 years and a member of the Delaware Air National Guard for 14 of those years.

• Date Taken: 01.19.2018
• Date Posted: 01.19.2018 17:24
• Story ID: 262640
• Location: NEW CASTLE, DE, US