The Secretary's Meritorious Service Silver Medal 2016

The Secretary’s Meritorious Service Medal recognizes exceptional individual leadership or service that is distinguished by achievements of marked significance over time to the Department of Homeland Security. This award will recognize a body of work characterized by superior performance related to significant accomplishments, business improvements or notable resourcefulness and diligence that significantly improved the effectiveness of the 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 providing outstanding support to more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies in their efforts to find imperiled children resulting in the rescue of 350 children to date.

Patricia Wolfhope, S&T
Washington, DC

For excellent service and cross-country collaboration that yielded the second largest U.S. counterfeit seizure in history.

Christopher E. Rohde, USSS
U.S. Embassy, Estonia

For exhibiting superior performance that culminated in the delivery of improved operational capabilities, significant cost savings, and innovative approaches to fielding next-generation radiological/nuclear detection.

Commander James Forgy, DNDO
Washington, DC

For superior leadership in partnership building, employee engagement, and mentorship within TSA.

Robert E. Ball, Jr. (Posthumously), TSA
Romulus, MI

For outstanding work on a class action lawsuit resulting in a favorable outcome and legal victory for CBP against allegations of coercion by U.S. Border Patrol Agents.

Carlos O. Cantu, CBP
San Diego

For exceptional accomplishment in providing new manufactured housing for over 300 households on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, in the face of harsh winter weather.

Oglala Sioux Tribal Nation Housing Mission
Washington, DC

Andrew Lucaciu, FEMA
Robert A. Ford, FEMA
Howard T. Endicott, III, FEMA
John M. Carleton, FEMA
Kenneth W. Jackson, FEMA
Victoria R. Childs, FEMA
Angela C. Lohman, FEMA
Johnathan M. Torres, FEMA
Mary Ellen Martinet, FEMA
Jonathan E. Jackson, FEMA
Benjamin J. Dillard, FEMA
Elizabeth A.  Luna, FEMA
Elizabeth I. Essling, FEMA
Joia E. Moore, FEMA
Amanda A. Poland, FEMA
Kristina L. McAlister, FEMA
Sharlene J. Clarke, FEMA
Ricardo J. Carrasquillo, FEMA
Rick C. Morris, FEMA
Munira Mack, FEMA
Matthew Rabkin, FEMA
Abraham Gunn, FEMA
Edward E. Taylor, FEMA
Gary R. Stanley, FEMA
George P. Betz, III, FEMA
Martin E. McNeese, FEMA
Alecia L. Morris, FEMA
Tavares D. Coleman, FEMA
Terri S. Burleson, FEMA
Michael J. Greer, FEMA
Pamela A. Miller, FEMA
Elizabeth A. McDowell, FEMA
Paula Y. Mojica, FEMA
Jason R. Meredith, FEMA
Carlos A. Bonilla, FEMA
Linda K. Vargas, FEMA
Luis Alverio, FEMA
Sondra S. Crist, FEMA
Karen D. Brady, FEMA
Terri S. Burleson, FEMA

For exemplary investigation into the selling of counterfeit Microsoft products resulting in the conviction of seven individuals and seizure of $20.6 million.

Software Slashers Investigation Team
Kansas City, MO

Carlos Suarez, ICE
Scott D. Titus, ICE
Jonathan Polner, ICE
Rosalinda Estrada, ICE
Brian T. Psenak, ICE
Robert C. Patterson, ICE
Christopher Armstrong, ICE
Megan Pollock, ICE
Ryder K. Wells, ICE
Shawn S. Gibson, ICE
Kristin M. Norton, ICE
Melissa A. Shanahan, ICE
Susan Welsh, DOJ
Patrick Daly, DOJ
James C. Bohling, DOJ

For conducting multiple cyber-crime investigations resulting in extradition of two cyber criminals and conviction of the owner of a prominent digital currency used by cybercriminals. 

New York Electronic Crimes Task Force
New York, NY

Scott G. Sarafian, USSS
Timothy R. Benitez, USSS
Kristen A. Bell, USSS
Robert L. Campbell, USSS
James A. Edwards, USSS
William A. Figueroa, USSS
Shaun Gause, USSS
Jenna A. Hall, USSS
Eric J. Humbert, USSS
Tate A. Jarrow, USSS
Kevin M. Kirby, USSS
Alyssa D. Krolick, USSS
Daniel R. Lerro, USSS
Brandon W. McCaw, USSS
Christopher A. McMahon, USSS
Joseph A. Meeks, USSS
Richard R. Pena-Ariet, USSS
Kenneth W. Premo, USSS
Christopher S. Rasor, USSS
John R. Simonello, USSS
Ryan J. Verhoef, USSS
John P. Wozniak, USSS
Tyler J. Yetter, USSS
Christopher R. Marrone, USSS

For successful completion, over two days, of the largest transfer of foreign born inmates (1,772) from the Bureau of Prisons to ICE custody.

ICE Criminal Alien Program
Washington, DC

Thomas Foley, ICE
Norman L. Parrish, ICE
Arthur J. Wilson, Jr., ICE
James R. Grippo, ICE
Peter Fomich, ICE
Timothy F. Purdy, ICE
Clint Haggard, ICE
Robert D. Ellis, ICE
Samuel L. Saxon, ICE
John Dunkelberger, DOJ
Scott Finley, DOJ

For developing a methodology for finding criminal networks engaged in illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing that is now the U.S. Government's standard, and has been adopted by several other countries.

USCG Maritime Intel Fusion Center, Living Marine Resource Team
Alameda, CA

David S. Thurlow, USCG
Lieutenant Bailea J. McMillen, USCG
Jason D. Lange, USCG
Javier A. Beltran, USCG
Nicola R. Welfel, USCG
Michael Hayias, USCG
Derek M. Whittemore, USCG
Monica V. King, USCG
Bryan R. Schoeppner, USCG
John D. Kozloski, USCG
David Pearl, NOAA

For rescuing a civilian who suffered a heart attack on a fishing vessel out at sea.

Royal Polaris Rescue Crew
San Diego

Lieutenant Commander Daniel C. Comunale, USCG
Lieutenant Scott T. Verhage, USCG
Brandon T. Curp, USCG
Jonathan H. Foss, USCG

For safeguarding U.S. government personnel, facilities, and visitors through the implementation of unprecedented nation-wide increased law enforcement visibility.

Operation Blue Surge
Washington, DC

L. Eric Patterson, NPPD
Richard K. Cline, NPPD
Timothy G. Bane, NPPD
Anthony M. Levey, NPPD
Cathy C. Long, NPPD
Mario Morales, NPPD
Clifford T. Hughes, NPPD
David S. Thomas, NPPD
Gilbert N. Russo, NPPD
Dennis P. Hale, NPPD
Mario A. Canton, NPPD
Gabriel R. Russell, NPPD
Maybelle P. Hallman, NPPD
Steven Harris, NPPD

For pushing the Secure Mail Initiative to the forefront of mail technology by bringing the system in line with the U.S. Postal Service’s Electronic Verification System.

Secure Mail Team
Lincoln, NE

Eric J. Hittner, USCIS
Sandra J. Zwiener, USCIS