Every year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) hosts an annual awards ceremony recognizing colleagues and distinguished partners for their responsiveness in providing technical support to America’s maritime transportation infrastructure. MARAD delivers essential amenities to the U.S. Flag Fleet and merchant mariners aiding in our country’s economy, as well as providing a key role in our nation’s security. This year, the awards ceremony was held virtually on December 10th.
Catherine A. Stewart of the Maritime Administration was among the first to congratulate the Enterprise Services Center (ESC) Accounts Payable Team for being nominated and selected to receive the 2020 MARAD Dolphin Team Award. "The Dolphin Team Award is granted to an exceptional team outside of MARAD for providing exemplary service. The team is being recognized for their ability to provide critical accounts payable function, and enhance MARAD’s overall finance program," expressed Stewart.
Members of ESC’s Accounts Payable Team (AMK-316) include: Barbara Martos, Financial Specialist; David Winkenwerder, Accountant; and Ricky Woods, Section Manager in the Administrative Payments Branch. The team members demonstrated a high level of expertise in the development of new or improved work methods and procedures that resulted in substantial savings and efficiencies in MARAD’s overall accounts payable program.
The team supplied exemplary services in the areas of obligations, timely payments, analyses, research and summarization of complex accounting and financial transactions reports. They reviewed and de-obligated funds that were no longer needed, allowing it for use on other requirements. The team offered outstanding customer support for MARAD’s accounts payable function. Implementation of the team’s processes supports the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-15-19, "Improving Government Efficiency and Saving Taxpayer Dollars through Electronic Invoicing," which mandates electronic invoicing (eInvoicing) for Federal vendors who are seeking payment for contracted goods and services. In addition, the ESC’s Accounts Payable team has been responsible for onboarding MARAD vendors to iSupplier, a secure internet-based portal being used for all DOT Operating Administrations. The team’s timely engagement and proactive monitoring of transactions and reclassification of accounting data provided MARAD with compliant year-end financial reporting and achieving an unmodified (clean) audit opinion for the 14th consecutive year.
