Five Coast Guard employees have been selected as the Human Resources Management Achievement Award recipients. This year’s selection of winners represents the exceptional customer service, innovative thinking, and improved methods in human resource and talent management.
Each year, the HRM Achievement Award provides an opportunity to recognize individuals and teams who support the effort to recruit and retain a competent and agile Coast Guard workforce. A team of civilian and military panelists judged 60 total application packages received earlier this year.
Officers (Commissioned Officer/Chief Warrant Officer)
Winner: Lt. Toby Sutton from the Pay and Personnel Center.
Sutton served as the architect of an improved human resources service model that emphasizes direct delivery of administrative support via redistribution of yeoman billets from servicing personnel offices to field units.
“The award is really a true reflection of my team who were motivated behind every project initiated and had a desire to make our service members and their families not have to worry about their pay and personnel administration, but rather focus on other areas of their life that are important to them,” said Sutton. “HRM is solely about people, and the project teams I was fortunate enough to work with understood the importance of that principle. For me, that's the spirit of what makes this award honor so memorable.”
Sutton designed and led the Pay and Personnel Center's Business Analysis Team, which investigated deficiencies in military human resources and pay processes and systems, developed innovations that improved delivery of military pay, and reduced costs and over-payments by $4.7 million annually.
Civilian Employees (General Schedule/Federal Wage Schedule)
Winner: Sarah Overmeyer from Training Center (TRACEN) Yorktown, Virginia.
As the transportation officer at TRACEN Yorktown Overmeyer provided exceptional care, customer service, and support to departing Coast Guard personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) members. Her focus on organizational needs was highlighted during the recent worldwide pandemic and HRM pilot.
“I am humbled and honored to receive the HRM award, but the real winner is the network of household goods (HHG) offices and yeoman that support me daily,” said Overmeyer. “The best part of this award was when I was recognized for being ‘vocal when processes were not meeting standards.’ And if anyone knows me, it’s a true statement on many levels. My number one goal is to be an advocate for my customers and reduce the stress moving.”
Non-appropriated fund (NAF) employees 
Winner: Christine Coventry from Community Services Command (CSC)
As a Human Resource Generalist for the Coast Guard Exchange System, Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation and Child Development Centers, Coventry was instrumental in the digital transformation of analog forms using the DocuSign secure documents platform.
“I’ve always strived to do my best throughout my six and a half years with the CSC and couldn’t have done what I’ve done without the support of the command, HR managers, and the rest of the HR team to assist me,” said Coventry. “Our goal over the last several years was to get our new-hire paperwork into digital form, so that we could streamline and make the hiring process faster. The roll-out of DocuSign was the first step in getting that completed, and I definitely couldn’t have done what I did with that platform, without the support of the rest of the team.”
Enlisted Personnel
Winner: Chief Petty Officer Mark DuBois, a yeoman from Coast Guard Pay and Personnel Center (PPC).
DuBois served as the Quality and Training Team Lead at the Pay & Personnel Center. He was responsible for final accuracy verification of all debts of $1,000 or more Coast Guard-wide.
“I’m very humbled, thankful, and appreciative by this award,” said DuBois. “I was actually rendered speechless learning of it. The award recognition is wonderful and reflects the amazing team here at PPC, not just myself. I could not have done it without them.”
“Chief DuBois’ attention to detail and expertise were essential to reviewing overpayment cases totaling $5.4M and achieving a remarkable 99.9% accuracy rate, both of which contributed to 49,000 Coast Guard members receiving timely and accurate payroll,” said his supervisor, Brian Spina.
Teams
Winner: The Director of Operational Logistics (DOL) Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Assist Team.
The DOL PCS Assist Team led a national effort in response to the COVID-19 contingency. Under daunting time constraints, complicated by rapidly changing techniques, procedures, and policies, the team meticulously planned and executed the first ever 24/7 transfer assistance help-line, answering more than 3,200 complex policy inquiries during the pandemic. 
“I am both honored and humbled to accept the HRM Achievement Award on behalf of the 2020 PCS Assist Team,” said Capt. Benjamin L. Davis, deputy director of Operational Logistics. “DOL was at the forefront of the Coast Guard’s response, procuring Personal Protective Equipment and mobilizing reservists on Title 10 orders to augment the workforce.”
Reservists were the linchpin to the 2020 PCS season, staffing PCS Assist Teams to ensure that Coast Guard personnel and families safely arrived at their new units with minimal disruption. The PCS Assist Team enhanced service readiness by improving support for the Mission Ready Total Workforce.
“This award affirms that the work of the DOL is not only innovative, but necessary to ensure our workforce and their families receive mission support services at the speed of need,” said Capt. Davis. “I am proud of our Operational Logistics community and the members of our 2020 PCS Assist Team.”
Bravo Zulu to all award recipients. Their work reflects all the great teamwork and something to continue to build upon in supporting our people every day.
To learn more about HRM Awards email Chief Warrant Officer Michael V. Carpenter or by phone (202) 475-5021.
Reference:
- 2020 USCG Human Resource Management (HRM) Achievement ALCOAST 097/21