TEC approves four as first quarter awardees

  • Published
  • By Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE --  Four Airmen were recently selected as the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center's outstanding senior noncommissioned officer, NCO, Airman, and civilian for the first quarter of 2018.

Deputy Commander, Maj. John P. Capra announced the awardees in an April 17 staff-wide email, on behalf of the Commander, Col. Kerry R. Lovely.

“It gives me great pride to announce the results,” Capra said. "Please congratulate them for a job well done."

Airman of the Quarter is Senior Airman William Bush, assigned to Campus Operations.

Supervisors reported that Airman Bush served as a lead craftsman on the $5,000 activities center remodeling project.

“Projects like these have a direct impact on staff and guest quality of life and fall directly into the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Initiates and Lines of Efforts,” they noted.

Airman Bush was also called a “linchpin” of the $3.5 million dormitory remodeling project. He helped install $23,000 in furniture, which increased lodging capacity to meet the Air Guard’s needs and missions.

Airman Bush volunteered 20 hours in support of the joint forces food drive, which supported Knoxville-area communities.

NCO of the Quarter is Tech. Sgt. Renee Wiederspan, assigned to the Enlisted Professional Military Education Center.

Supervisors reported that Sergeant Wiederspahn led her EPME flight to successful graduation, during a compressed schedule, and with a government shutdown looming.

“With the completion of this flight, she accomplished a 1,000-hour milestone and earned her Community College of the Air Force Instructor Certification (Level 1) as well as her Military Instructor and Technology Degree," they noted.

Sergeant Wiederspan stepped out of the classroom and into the community as the morale fund president, as well as a Mustang Club member, to support three events.

Senior NCO of the Quarter is Master Sgt. Kelly Collett, assigned to the Professional Continuing Education Division.

Sergeant Collett earned 1st Place by the National Guard Bureau, and 2nd Place by the Air Force, in the 2017 Defense Media Awards competition, for his direction and management of the Bullet Tracker video. He also led the update to the Air Force's total force Human Trafficking ancillary training video.

“By utilizing this video the Air Force saves one hour of time per Airman, per year,” they noted.

Sergeant Collett’s mentorship and guidance to a visiting Pennsylvania Air Guard Airman were paramount in their upgrade training completion and the production of two released videos during a two-week period.

Civilian of the Quarter, Category III, is Mr. Gerry Barnes, assigned to the Professional Continuing Education Divison.

Supervisors reported that Mr. Barnes was the primary manager for five audio/visual-connected facilities around the campus and was responsible for developing policy and directives maintaining control of $2.5 million in assets and equipment.

“He was able to lead the two-man operation to re-engineer the multi-facility camera system, which allowed the first ever live-streaming of the General Officer Support Staff Course from the campus to DoD-networked workstations,” they noted. That allowed 105 additional Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians to review the material and gain required training, with zero travel costs.

Mr. Barnes served with the Big Brothers of America as well as with his local church, which mentored and improved others in the community, and he continues to be an ambassador in Blue, even out of uniform.

Quarterly awardees receive recognition at the following commander's call as well as an award plaque and other accolades.

(Supervisor award packages contributed to this report.)