Norfolk FBI Announces 2012 Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient

Special Agent in Charge John Boles of the Norfolk Field Office of the FBI announced his selection of Ms. Tressa Denise Johnson, Management Analyst, Human Services Department for the City of Norfolk, as the local recipient of the FBI’s 2012 Director’s Community Leadership Award for her commitment to the youth and communities in Hampton Roads.

Ms. Johnson’s work in the community began over seven years ago when she became an active member of the Virginia Gang Investigators Association. Since 2010, Ms. Johnson has volunteered to work with after-school programs where she provides assistance with homework, facilitates group discussions, and encourages at-risk students to remain drug and crime free.

In May 2011, Ms. Johnson graduated from the FBI’s Citizens’ Academy and became an active member of the Norfolk FBI’s Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association. As such, she successfully wrote a grant proposal on behalf of the Alumni Association to spearhead a workshop sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for a project known as “America Healing: A Racial Equity Initiative.”

The workshop was subsequently sponsored by the Alumni Association in April 2012, with support of the Norfolk FBI, as a way to highlight Norfolk’s Civil Rights Program and:

■Be a catalyst for improving the quality of life within the individual communities through law enforcement related and awareness programs

■Establish the exchange of information between the FBI and the community

■Foster racial relations among communities and individuals

Ms. Johnson continues to develop outreach ideas, seek out grant funding for the Alumni Association, and give presentations with Norfolk FBI staff and local law enforcement on Bullying and Gangs.

Ms. Johnson will be formally presented with an award on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the office of the Norfolk FBI located at 150 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23502.

Members of the press and media are invited to attend.

Nimitz Presents First Lt. Cmdr. Regina P. Mills Leadership Award

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Renee Candelario, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- The Navy distributed the first Lt. Cmdr. Regina Pearl Mills Leadership Award during an award ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) Aug. 9.

 More than 500 Sailors from the Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB) community assembled on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for the ceremony.

The award was presented to Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Saleema N. Massey.

"I'm excited," said Massey. "I didn't expect it. It's a very big thing for me. My heart is still racing. I was really close to Regina. I was here for both her tours on Nimitz and she did my last reenlistment. Having this award means a lot."

During the ceremony, Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Mill's, Regina's husband, addressed the crowd of AB's.

"A few weeks after my wife's death I was contacted by members of the Aviation Boatswain's Mate Association (ABMA) to discuss a way in which we can honor Regina's memory," said Mills. "The decision was made by the ABMA Board of Directors to create this award. I cannot thank the ABMA enough."

Mills added that the purpose of the award is to recognize the outstanding leadership in the AB community.

 Regina's daughter, Cherie Ayer, also attended the ceremony to assist in presenting the award.

"[The ceremony] was really touching for me," said Ayer. "I'm really glad the award went to Massey. She's a great person and she deserves it. I'm glad everyone was able to get together on Nimitz. There's a lot of history on this ship. I'm glad to be here."

Regina reported for her second tour aboard Nimitz in December 2009 to serve as the Navy's first female aircraft handling officer. She is known for her strength, determination and tremendous leadership during her tours, said Mills.

Regina was struck and killed by a vehicle when she stopped to assist others involved in a traffic collision in Gig Harbor, Wash., Jan. 23, 2012.

Nimitz recently arrived at NASNI after successful completion of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012.

Battaglia Accepts Leadership Award on Behalf of All Enlisted U.S. Troops

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – The top U.S. non-commissioned officer shared the spotlight last night with fellow honorees U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Prince Harry and other luminaries as he accepted a prestigious Atlantic Council leadership award on behalf of all enlisted service members.

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, accepted the Distinguished Military Leadership Award at the council’s annual awards dinner. The award recognizes the contributions toward a better world made by enlisted soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, several dozen of whom attended the dinner.

“It is indeed humbling to represent an enlisted corps of over 1 million men and women, a diverse and powerful composition reaching all walks of life,” Battaglia told a group of almost 900 former and current administration officials, members of Congress, ambassadors and influential business leaders.

He noted the transformation of the enlisted force since its inception 237 years ago into a “multi-dimensional, multi-talented enlisted corps” that brings unprecedented capability and professionalism to the all-volunteer force.

“Our enlisted men and women have patriotically provided enduring freedoms within the borders of our homeland and beyond,” he told the gathering. “We are no longer just simply a defender of society, but rather, a vigorous group which helps sustain the commitment of Americans to everything we value: honor, equal opportunity, resiliency, leadership and integrity.”

Battaglia recognized the contributions the enlisted force has made during the past decade of conflict, noting as examples special operators “who risk much to ensure that our adversaries bring no harm” and National Guard members who provide immediate response to their communities when natural disasters strike.

He also remembered enlisted warriors “who gave the full devotion of duty and now lie in formations within hallowed grounds of our cemeteries,” and acknowledged the unwavering support of military families whose support is vital to the military’s success.

As Sen. Chuck Hagel, president of the Atlantic Council and an enlisted soldier during the Vietnam war, presented the award, Battaglia shared the stage with representatives of each service: Army Staff Sgt. Tanner Welch; Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Serena Anderson; Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Curtis Robinson; Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lisa Tomlinson; and Coast Guard Petty Officer  2nd Class Lisa Pique.

Prince Harry of Great Britain, accepted the Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership Award for work he and his brother, The Duke of Cambridge, conduct for wounded British servicemen and  women and veterans.  He extended his personal congratulations to Battaglia and the U.S. armed forces for their “peerless contribution to the defense of freedom.”

Harry, a captain in the British army, said he witnessed those contributions firsthand while deployed to Afghanistan. “It was a privilege for me to fight alongside members of the United States armed forces,” he told the gathering. “Their professionalism and dedication to the values we share and hold dear are inspirational.”

Speaking with American Forces Press Service after the ceremony, Battaglia said he felt like a lottery-winner, albeit it without the monetary gain, to be able to accept the award on behalf of all enlisted members and NCOs. “Saying it is an absolute honor might be an understatement at this point in time,” he said. “If I had to put some kind of … price on it, I’d have to call it priceless.”

While expressing appreciation for the Atlantic Council’s formal recognition, he said he’s not surprised that the American people continue to stand solidly behind their military.

“Noncommissioned officers and our enlisted force have always measured up,” he said. “And when the stakes got really high after 9/11 and during the past 10 years, they have really carried a big burden on their shoulders and showed their mettle.”

Receipt of the Distinguished Military Leadership Award sends a strong message to the men and women in uniform, he said. “America, our society respects and admires the hard work and sacrifices you and your families do each and every day,” he said.

“So keep up the great work that you are doing,” he continued. “And when it comes time to making decisions – and they are very, very hard decisions that you will make – the right decision is never-wavering the moral, ethical high ground.”

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Thomas Mooney, serving at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in Quantico, Va., said he felt honored to attend the ceremony and experience the outpouring of support firsthand.

“It’s great to see such support from such a large, diverse audience,” agreed Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Hesbol, an aide to Battalgia. “It’s humbling as well,” he said. “As you can see, there’s a lot of pride.”

Also during last night’s ceremony, the U.N. secretary-general received this year’s Distinguished International Leadership Award for his success in mobilizing international leaders around global challenges.

Ban Ki-moon used last night’s ceremony as a platform to lament “a deficit of leadership” from the international community to end the bloodshed in Syria and to announce an increase in U.N. observers there.

The United Nations will deploy its full complement of 300 military observers and 100 civilians to Syria by June, he announced. The U.N. currently has 59 military monitors and about the same number of civilians on the ground.

Leadership Award

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, helps to accept the 2012 Distinguished Military Leadership Award on behalf of the entire active and reserve enlisted force during the annual Atlantic Council Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C., May 7, 2012.

New Jersey Humanitarian Recognized by FBI as Its 2011 Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient

NEWARK—Since 1990—through the Director’s Community Leadership Awards (DCLA)—the FBI has publicly recognized the achievements of individuals and organizations like these who have gone above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities in the areas of terrorism, cyber, drug, gang, or violence prevention and education. And this year is no exception: this past March, nearly 60 individuals and organizational representatives—all 2011 DLCA recipients—gathered for a ceremony in their honor at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Director Mueller, who presented a specially designed plaque to each recipient, called the honorees “catalysts for change” in their communities and said that each one shared “a willingness to lead....a commitment to improving your neighborhoods...and a desire to make this country safer for your fellow citizens.”

The Newark Division is particularly proud to honor Dr. Joan Rivitz for promoting human and civil rights. In 2003, Dr. Rivitz was appointed the New Jersey commissioner of civil rights and serves as chairperson of the New Jersey Commission on Civil Rights. As a member of the New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention, Dr. Rivitz has worked to end childhood bullying. She serves on the Bergen-Passaic County Board of the American Conference on Diversity and the Board of Education of the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New Jersey.

Dr. Rivitz’s humanitarianism is evident through her dedication to public awareness and education about the Holocaust. She is chairperson of the advisory board of the New Jersey Human Relations Council and is the associate director of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education. Dr. Rivitz served as the co-chairperson of the 58th Annual International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies Conference, which afforded representatives from around the world an opportunity to discuss human rights issues together. Dr. Rivitz has conducted sessions such as “Learning from the Lessons of the Past and Applying These Lessons to the Present Day” and has worked as a committee member of the New Jersey Summit Against Hate.

Dr. Rivitz serves as the coordinator and director of a financial grant made to the FBI National Citizens Academy and awarded to the Newark chapter. The America Healing: A Racial Equity Initiative, which was applied to the city of Newark, was made possible through statewide community outreach. Law enforcement officers, gang members, clergy, non-profit organizations, and community leaders worked together in an unprecedented effort to help Newark’s youth resist gang activity.

Dr. Rivitz’s name is inscribed on The Wall of Tolerance in Alabama in recognition of her efforts to take a personal and public stand against hate, injustice, and intolerance.

SAC Michael Ward remarked, “Dr. Rivitz’s contributions to New Jersey cannot be overstated. She has dedicated herself to civil rights issues, not only through words, but also through person investment and action. Above and beyond those contributions, Dr. Rivitz is also an active member of the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni and helps provide guidance and consult in the Newark Division’s Community Outreach Program.”

Dr. Rivitz currently serves as the Regional Vice President of the National FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBICAAA) and a Board of Trustees member of the New Jersey Chapter of the FBICAAA. The FBI Newark Division Citizens Academy is currently in its ninth year and is scheduled to graduate its newest members on May 2, 2012 in Newark.

To see coverage of the ceremony and Director Mueller’s remarks, please visit http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/march/dcla_031612/dcla_031612.

2011 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

The Memphis Division is pleased to honor Mr. Greg Lemon for his work as a member of the Nashville chapter of InfraGard. Mr. Lemon graduated from the FBI’s Citizens Academy in 2009 and immediately joined InfraGard, where he works to strengthen the partnership between InfraGard and the state of Tennessee’s Office of Homeland Security.

Mr. Lemon is vice president of the Nashville chapter of InfraGard. Despite his busy schedule and responsibilities as an adjunct professor of accounting at Middle Tennessee State University, he has worked tirelessly to support the outreach efforts of InfraGard.

In 2010, Mr. Lemon helped coordinate a tribute at the state capital honoring emergency first responders. The following year, Mr. Lemon organized a similar event to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11. In October 2010, he worked with FBI Memphis to organize a cyber security banking event. Approximately 75 bank executives met with cyber agents from the Memphis Division, who provided tips on how to prevent computer intrusion.