David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award and the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards

PENTAGON, UNITED STATES

11.08.2021

Story by Christopher Bisett 

Washington Headquarters Services

The 17th Annual David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award is presented to a career DoD employee who serves in a non-managerial capacity. The recipient reflects exceptional devotion to duty and impact to efficiency, economy, or other improvements to the Department’s operations that are of a significantly broad scope. This year’s recipient is: Ms. Jena M. Starr, nominated by the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. During Ms. Starr’s tenure as an Afghanistan policy specialist, she demonstrated unusual competence, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership, and creativity to implement the past Administration's South Asia Strategy and the current Administration's Afghanistan strategy review, leading to the Administration's decision to end the United States’ direct involvement in the war in Afghanistan by September 2021. Ms. Starr’s discrete advice on the most sensitive Congressional, public affairs, and international issues are highly valued by senior leaders.

Presented in conjunction with the David O. Cooke award, the 66th Annual Distinguished Civilian Service Award (DCSA) is presented to career DoD employees. The nominee’s contributions must reflect exceptional devotion to duty and contributes to efficiency, economy, or other improvements to the Department’s operations that are beyond the scope of their component and in a significant impact to the DoD.

This year’s honorees are: Ms. Julie A. Cashman, nominated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Her investigatory auditing contributions with Defense Contract Audit Agency led to the sentencing of a Chief Executive Officer who had fraudulently taken advantage of Government contracting opportunities. In 2020, Ms. Cashman’s team with the Defense Contract Management Agency Commercial Item Group recommended over $400 million of pre-award cost savings in support of procuring critical products/services across the Department of Defense and provided critical quick-turn contracting support to the Department of Defense’s Operation Warp Speed efforts to combat the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic.

Ms. Laura K. Cooper, nominated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Ms. Cooper was a driving force in implementing the 2018 National Defense Strategy, ultimately leading to a classified strategic guidance statement to the Department from the past Secretary of Defense that fundamentally altered the way the Department approached Russia. She was a thought leader as the current Administration conducted a thorough review of the United States’ policy on Russia, leading to a proportional response holding Russia accountable for its malign actions, but leaving space for bilateral cooperation to build a more stable and predictable relationship consistent with the United States interests. Ms. Cooper was at the forefront of one of the most significant United States Government foreign policy shifts in recent history

Mr. Mark W. DeVries, nominated by the Department of the Air Force. During Mr. DeVries’ tenure, he served honorably as a Supervisory Analyst for two distinct Rapid Capabilities Offices delivering superior warfighting capabilities to both the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force. Additionally, he worked directly with the Secretary of the Air Force staff agencies to secure classified funding for 13 highly classified programs delivering warfighting capabilities to the United States Space Command at the speed of relevance to the Warfighter.

Ms. Deidra A.W. Eberhardt, nominated by the Department of the Air Force. For nearly a decade, Ms. Eberhardt has been the centerpiece for business operations at the Space and Missile Systems Center, ensuring the development, production, fielding, and sustainment of our nation’s most critical space-based capabilities. She was a key leader in both the largest restructuring in the Center’s history and the creation of Space Systems Command within the newly established United States Space Force.

Mr. James E. Kenny, nominated by the Department of the Navy. Mr. Kenny led over 750 engineers and scientists who are responsible for a broad range of technical disciplines. After a Coronavirus Disease 2019 on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Mr. Kenny successfully led the establishment of the Naval Coronavirus Disease Rapid Response Team to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019, allowing our military forces to safely continue their missions during a global pandemic. During an unexpected electrical system problem onboard USS Harry S. Truman, he led the team through the development of a material solution that allowed the ship to urgently get underway, expeditiously and ensure our nation’s security.

Dr. Sheila A. Peel, nominated by the Department of the Army. Dr. Peel serves as a Technical Consultant and Advisor to the White House Coronavirus Disease 2019 Task Force, resulting in doubled the United States Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 test capacity. Her work has informed screening, immunization, and deployment policies related to various infectious agents, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Under Dr. Peel's leadership, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Reference laboratory performed more than 405,000 Human Immunodeficiency Virus tests per annum, including all Human Immunodeficiency Virus screening/or new accessions and at treatment facilities globally. Furthermore, she opened the first World Health Organization Five-Star accredited laboratory in Nigeria, critical to the United States Africa Command Theater Security Plan. Dr. Peel enabled the United States Southern and Central Commands to strengthen infectious disease surveillance with host nation militaries.

Mr. Edward A. Wilkinson, nominated by the Department of the Navy. Mr. Wilkinson's unparalleled dedication to the warfighter enabled combat operational effectiveness of the CH-46E with the highest mission capable rates and conducted the CH-46E retirement enabling the transition to the MV-22 while supporting remaining domestic and international security operations. He led the Specialized and Proven Aircraft Office to assume 18 different Type, Model, and Series aircraft under its cognizance, including Adversary Air F-5 and F-16 aircraft where his leadership increased capability, extended aircraft life well into the 2030s, and saved over $400 million while achieving all-time high readiness rates. Mr. Wilkinson's leadership also resulted in the development of airworthiness standards which are now being used as a basis for Joint Service Contracted Air Services, while also growing Services provided from $700 million to $1.48 million and adding capabilities including Fourth Generation Fighter and Electronic Warfare.

This year’s public ceremony that was originally scheduled for November 10th in the Pentagon Auditorium was cancelled due to ongoing concerns over safety brought on by the current COVID-19 threat. The Department of Defense continues to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions made by these eight honorees that were selected by their respective components to receive two of the highest awards that a DoD career civilian can receive.

• Date Taken: 11.08.2021
• Date Posted: 11.08.2021 13:21
• Story ID: 408903
• Location: PENTAGON, US
• Hometown: ARLINGTON, VA, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US