On October 5, 2023, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) held its first in-person Pathfinders Awards Ceremony since the beginning of the global health crisis. The newly renovated headquarters auditorium was filled with employees, and it was astonishing to see and feel the anticipation in the air. The atmosphere was one of sheer excitement. Personnel flooded into the auditorium, eager to see if their manager or coworker would win one of the most coveted MMAC awards.
The Pathfinder Award supports the MMAC’s four strategic priorities (known as the 4-C’s): cost-effectiveness, collaboration, communication, and culture. These awards are the highest honor that the MMAC provides to its personnel. The program, which is open to all MMAC federal employees, received a total of 23 individual and 23 team nominations.
This year, the nominations were processed using a new, modernized application designed by Ron Morgan of the Quality Systems and Business Resources Staff, (AMC-3). This application, powered by Microsoft Power Apps, Power Automate, and SharePoint Lists, streamlined the entire Pathfinder Awards process, allowing the nominators and review team to electronically collect, verify, and automate the approval of the nominations.
Debbie Uglean, the Pathfinder Awards Program Manager, opened this year’s ceremony by welcoming everyone to the event and introduced Eric Wedel of the FAA Academy, who sang the National Anthem acapella. Eric is a Course Coordinator in the Air Traffic Tower Operations Unit, and this was his first time singing the National Anthem publicly. After Eric’s powerful rendition, Michelle Coppedge, the Aeronautical Center Director, provided a brief biography and introduction of the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Jeffrey Vincent. Mr. Vincent is the Executive Director of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office.
Mr. Vincent, who has served in the FAA for many years and has held several high-level positions, provided a brilliant description of what it means to be a Pathfinder, and offered several anecdotes of his ideas about Pathfinders. After Mr. Vincent’s eloquent speech, Kevin O’Connor took the mic, announcing the first presenter who would begin what everyone was waiting for; the award presentations.
As the first winner took the stage, excited murmurs and comments flowed throughout the auditorium. The comments and applause increased with each winner. It was inspiring to see and hear employees supporting their supervisors and coworkers, and to hear several employees exclaim, "I wasn’t expecting to win!" Having such a supportive workforce reinforces how the Aeronautical Center is one of the Top Workplaces in Oklahoma.
During the closing ceremonies, Michelle Coppedge and Kevin O’Connor took turns expressing their appreciation for the work that went into putting the Pathfinder Award Ceremony together, noting that it was an exceptional event. They thanked everyone for arranging, participating, and attending the event. Kevin reminded employees that following the ceremony, there would be a reception where additional recognition items for the nominees would be distributed.
Congratulations again to everyone who was nominated and who won an award. It is always important to be recognized for a job well done. Everyone’s contributions are valued, and such victories are important. Congratulations to everyone for their hard work and dedication!
If you were nominated for a Pathfinder Award and were unable to attend the ceremony, please contact Debbie Uglean to arrange a time for picking-up your impressive memento.
Presenter: Corey Black, Director of Facility Management, AMP-001
Winner: Tara Woods, Automation Equipment MCL, and ATS Support Team, AJW-L810
Presenter: Dr. Melchor Antuñano, Director, FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, AAM-003
Winner: Shawn Shaw, Weather and Lighting Team, AJW-L730
Presenter: Delinda Fitzgerald, Manager, Operation Support Branch, AIR-910
Individual Winner: Shelly Fuller, Facility Services Division, AMP-100
Team Winner: Transportation Service Team, AJW-L650
Team Members:Chris Anderson, Noveta Battles, Stephen Goodson, Bradley Hauck, Brandon Huntley, Lloyd Kalka, Alfreda Luster, Craig Reeves, John Steen, and Larry Yeley
Presenter: Kim Sheppard, Chief of Staff, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, AMC-003
Individual Winner: Kiera King, Accounts Payable Services Section H
Team Winner: Airports Technical Training Team, AMA
Team Members: Charles Carroll and Ryan Odell
Presenter: Valdrie Buford, Acting Director, FAA Academy
Winner: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Team, AJW
Team Members: Gene Hart, Seth Hasty, Robert Loveland, Jean Meeker, Shawn Tufts, and Eli Velazquez
