SECNAV Awards 2009 Secretariat Sailor, Junior Sailor Awards

By Chinara Lucas, Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs

May 17, 2010 - WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) recognized two distinguished Sailors for their sustained, exemplary leadership and performance May 17 in Washington.

SECNAV Ray Mabus presented Information Systems Technician 1st Class Tamika Simmons and Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Derek Roll with the 2009 Office of the SECNAV Sailor of the Year and Junior Sailor of the Year Awards respectively.

The awards "emphasize the great job you've done over the course of the year and over the course of your career," said Mabus.

As the command network administrator and leading petty officer for the Navy Office of Information, Simmons maintained one million dollars worth of information technology equipment at 13 field activities. She increased productivity exponentially by solving more than 500 trouble calls, completing 450 system requests and conducting network training for more than 500 users. Additionally, Simmons implemented career development boards to assist her Sailors in their career management.

Simmons thanked Chief of Information, Rear Adm. Dennis Moynihan, fellow Sailors and mentors for supporting her in achieving the accomplishment of 2009 Office of the SECNAV Sailor of the Year.

Roll is the assistant private dining room supervisor for the SECNAV's Executive Dining Facility. In 2009, Roll flawlessly served more than 350 five-star quality meals to the SECNAV and distinguished guests of the secretary of defense, commandant of the Marine Corps and the chief of naval operations. As volunteer coordinator, he promoted and organized community service opportunities resulting in a divisional total of 85 hours supporting the United Service Organizations (USO) care packages program.

Roll thanked his fellow Sailors in helping him attain the 2009 Office of the SECNAV Junior Sailor of the Year award.

"SECNAV mess staff, it's not just me up here; I'm representing the staff." said Roll.