The Secretary's Meritorious Service Silver Medal 2015

The Secretary’s Meritorious Service Silver Medal recognizes exceptional leadership or service distinguished by achievements over time to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This award recognizes superior performance through remarkable accomplishments, business improvements, or notable resourcefulness and diligence that significantly improved the effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in one or more program areas.

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

For exceptional effort in transforming the Toronto Port through innovative leadership, resulting in improved services and increased employee morale.

Donald Anderson, CBP

For collaborating with international partners to bring to justice to multiple foreign criminals.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Repatriation Team

Ryan T. Howe, ICE
David R. Potvin, ICE
Jorge Tenarodriguez, ICE
Michael A. Rigsby, ICE

For outstanding innovation and collaboration to better secure sensitive information across the Department.

Cyber Hygiene Working Group

Laura Auletta, MGMT
Shaundra Duggans, MGMT
Candace Lightfoot, MGMT
Ellen Murray, MGMT
Tamara Lilly, MGMT
Scott Ackiss, MGMT
Corey Lastinger, OGC
Kellie Riley, PRVCY
Kathleen L. Claffie, CBP
John Simms, NPPD

For furthering the U.S. Customs and Border Protection mission through exemplary conduct, extraordinary professionalism, and strong commitment to interagency collaboration and cooperation.

Jeffrey M. Sajdak, CBP

For exemplary conduct, extraordinary contributions, and professionalism demonstrating a strong commitment to interagency collaboration and cooperation.

Andy B. Gentry, CBP

For superior achievement and leadership in innovation and technology to enhance immigration screenings and case management.

Albert Davis, USCIS

For exemplary service, commitment, and outstanding performance in establishing a Limited English Proficiency Program for diverse communities across the Nation.

Rebekah Tosado, CRCL

For collaboration, innovation, and outstanding service in creating solutions to help improve the Department’s analytic capabilities.

Analytic Innovation Cell Team

Clark Smith, OIA
Richard Stephenson, Jr., OIA
Jennifer Oar, OIA
Christopher MacDonald, OIA
Jordan Renga, OIA
Benjamin Stefano, OIA
Brandon Krueger, OIA
Eric Talbot, OIA
Kevin Peters, OIA
Skyler Dickinson, TSA
Sean M. Hebert, TSA
Jorge Comas, CBP
Bradford Parker

For innovative problem solving and decisive management of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Visa Security Program resulting in a whole-of-government approach to the U.S. visa adjudication process.

Visa Security Program

Salvador Briseno, ICE
Christopher Walker, ICE
Catherine Y. Miller, ICE
Grant M. Lucas, ICE
Adam F. Sultana, ICE
Sonny Kilmer, ICE
James A. MacDowell, ICE
Matthew W. Spelsberg, ICE
Phillip V. Portiera, ICE
Anthony J. Villacorta, ICE
Franco L. Pollini, ICE
Timothy T. Christensen, ICE
Gustavo Valerio, ICE
Leonard T. Bethards, ICE
Jo L. Manthos, ICE
Debra A. Williams, ICE

For successfully investigating, prosecuting, and removing a high-profile Salvadoran national from the United States.

General Vides Casanova Litigation Team

Lisa M. Koven, ICE
Mona M. Ragheb, ICE
Dr. Ann M. Schneider, ICE
David A. Landau, ICE
Kevin E. Stanley, ICE
James E. M. Craig, ICE
Mark B. Martinez, ICE

For dedication and outstanding contributions to the Departmental Audit Liaison and High Risk Integration Team resulting in the Department’s recognition as one of the “most improved” departments across the Federal government.

Departmental GAO-OIG Liaison and Management Directorate Integration Team

Jim H. Crumpacker, MGMT
Christopher Brothers, MGMT
Peggy Mayfield, MGMT
Diane Baker, MGMT
Kari Beitel, MGMT
Lindsay Clarke, MGMT
Matthew Seaman, MGMT
Adam Tabaka, MGMT
Kenneth J. Buck, Ph.D., MGMT
Michelle Benecke, MGMT
Ann-Marie N. Watt, MGMT
David Schmitt

For superior public service and outstanding innovative leadership in negotiating the U.S. – Canada Land, Rail, Marine and Air Preclearance Agreement.

U.S. – Canada Land, Rail, Maritime and Air Preclearance Agreement Team

Deborah W. Meyers, PLCY
Jillian St. John, PLCY
Keith Devereaux, PLCY
John Havranek, OGC
Randall Kaplan, OGC
Dylan J. DeFrancisci, CBP
Kurry M. Pastilong, CBP
Elizabeth B. Schmelzinger, CBP
J. Ryan Hutton, CBP
Michele James, CBP
Kristin L. Dubelier, CBP
Tamara A. Pauls, CBP
Shiraz Panthaky, ICE

For outstanding and commendable service in conducting screening and vetting analysis, enhancing contributions to national transportation security. 

Joseph Malmay, TSA

For developing innovative technologies to enhance perimeter security at the White House.

Project H. Team

Luis A. Marrero, USSS
Steven L. Wallen, USSS
Patricia M. Multu, USSS
John H. Bray, USSS

For outstanding leadership, remarkable innovation, and collaboration to help secure the southwest border.

Operational Leadership Team – Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center (California)

Commander Timothy R. Lavier, USCG
Lawrence G. Donovan, USCG
Lieutenant Hillary R. Adams, USCG
Janie I. Edgerton, USCG
Ted B. Gangsei, USCG
Robert S. Graham, USCG
Commander Anna K. Hopkins, USCG
David M. King, USCG
Thomas J. Mackell, USCG
Lieutenant Commander Tobias Reid, USCG
Anne E. Salazar, USCG
John S. Wilkins, USCG
Mark P. Winding, USCG
Ronald Cranfill, USCG

For leadership in providing new technologies and analytic techniques supporting the transition to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Big Data Environment.

Apex Border Enforcement Analytics Program Team

Stephen J. Dennis, S&T
Shane M. Cullen, S&T
Christopher T. Featherston, S&T