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News | May 23, 2017

Troop Support employees earn medals at Philly-area federal awards ceremony

By Shawn J. Jones

Several Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support employees were recognized for their public service contributions during an award ceremony May 18.

The Philadelphia Federal Executive Board’s annual Excellence in Government Awards ceremony recognizes federal employees in the Philadelphia area who exhibit extraordinary performance.

Twenty-four federal agencies submitted 176 award nominations. Troop Support earned two gold medal awards.

The Medical Surgical Prime Vendor Generation V team earned the Economy in Government Operations Achievement goal medal award. Their efforts to optimize acquisition strategies led to a projected savings of $168 million.

Maryann DiMeo manages the MSPV team and said they deserve the recognition for earning the award.

“They really invested themselves,” DiMeo said. “A lot of their time and personal energy and effort went into this.”

Lorinda Ferraiolo, a contracting officer in the Medical Supply chain, earned the Steadfast Achievement gold medal award that recognizes a federal employee who has performed at the highest standards for more than 20 years.

She started her career as a procurement clerk, but steadily rose through the ranks to become a senior contracting officer, managing a $22 billion pharmaceutical prime vendor contract. Her accomplishments include establishing the prime vendor web page, overseeing deliveries of controlled substances across the globe and implementing innovative transportation solutions.

Her supervisor Ruth Herman said Ferraiolo has made a habit of going beyond what is required of her.

 “Just last night I was on the phone to Japan at 9 p.m., so it’s nice to be acknowledged. It really is,” Ferraiolo said.

Other DLA Troop Support individuals and teams received medals, including:

  • Joan Marie Grace, Medical, bronze medal for Economy in Government Operations
  • Nathalie Marthe Iyabi, Command Support Office’s, bronze medal for Outstanding Administrative Support
  • Cheryl Reynolds, Clothing and Textiles, silver medal for Management Achievement
  • Tom Zassick, Clothing and Textiles, bronze medal for Valor
  • Customer Operations team for unfilled orders, silver medal for Service Excellence.

During the award ceremony, the FEB Partners in Equality also honored individuals who have made significant contributions to diversity and equality in the workforce.

Army Brig. Gen. Charles Hamilton, DLA Troop Support commander, was recognized for his involvement in the employee equal opportunity process that has, according to the ceremony program, “resulted in creating a world-class, diverse workforce that continues to provide for customers at a high level of excellence.”