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The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service 2016

The Secretary’s Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions.

This year's winners are listed below, along with a description of their contributions and achievements:

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Susan M. Bokor.
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Susan M. Bokor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For organizational skills and ability to negotiate and achieve superior results.

Susan M. Bokor, ICE
El Paso, TX

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Margie O. Egliskis
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Margie O. Egliskis, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For exceptional performance in recovering bond payments that have reached a value of $1 million this fiscal year.

Margie O. Egliskis, ICE
Phoenix, AZ

For exceptional performance and outstanding support in the areas of finance and administration.

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Petty Officer 2nd Class Liesl C. Olson.
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Petty Officer 2nd Class Liesl C. Olson, U.S. Coast Guard, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For exceptional prowess leading to innovations and improvement in medical administrative processes.

Liesl C. Olson, USCG
Petaluma, CA

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Kristie Sandefur
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Kristie Sandefur, U.S. Secret Service, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For providing outstanding customer service and implementation of the Evidence Training Program for USSS.

Kristie Sandefur, USSS
Washington, DC

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Catherine A. Wright
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Catherine A. Wright, Transportation Security Administration, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For continued dedication to supporting the health and wellness of the TSA workforce at Dulles International Airport.

Catherine A. Wright, TSA
Dulles, VA

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Diana L. Hildebrand
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Diana L. Hildebrand, Transportation Security Administration, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For outstanding commitment and proficiency in administering numerous programs while facing staffing shortages.

Diana L. Hildebrand, TSA
San Diego, CA

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Nathaniel B. Crudup
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Nathaniel B. Crudup, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For exemplary leadership as the Field Service Center Manager for all USCIS Chicago District offices, Application Support Centers, and Chicago Lockbox.

Nathaniel B. Crudup, CIS
Chicago, IL

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Jerome Bishop
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to Jerome Bishop, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For exemplary performance in innovating a new intake procedure, and for management of Congressional inquiries that led to an 89 percent reduction in casework awaiting clearance.

Jerome Bishop, CBP
Washington, DC

For outstanding performance during a period of unit realignment.

Curtis D. Clemont, CBP
Rochester, NY

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Credit Card Implementation Team
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas presented the Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Credit Card Implementation Team Carl F. Prosack, Linda Norford, Elizabeth C. Zemlan, Sheri F. Sheehan, Lynn Wilson, and Azhena Abraham, during the Secretary's Award Ceremony held Oct. 26, 2016. The Secretary's Award for Exemplary Service recognizes exemplary individual service by Department of Homeland Security employees serving in administrative, technical, clerical and general support positions. Official DHS photo by Barry Bahler. (DHS Photo by Barry Bahler/Released)

For implementing a new process for USCIS Lockbox to accept credit card payments, easing the method for Lawful Permanent Residents to complete Form N-400 Application for Naturalization.

Credit Card Implementation Team
Washington, DC

Carl F. Prosack, CIS
Linda Norford, CIS
Elizabeth C. Zemlan, CIS
Sheri F. Sheehan, CIS
Lynn Wilson, CIS
Azhena Abraham, CIS

Last Updated: 08/04/2021
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