Dynamic duo receive finance awards

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kristin Mack
  • 301st Fighter Wing
The 301st Fighter Wing finance office proved they have one of the Air Force Reserve Command's finest financial programs after taking two of the nine categories during AFRC's 2007 financial awards program. 

Mr. Gerald P. Dale, 301st FW quality assurance manager was selected Financial Management Quality Assurance Manager of the Year. Mr. Salvador Talamo, a 301st military pay technician, took in the coveted AFRC Financial Service Civilian of the Year for 2007. 

Both awardees have completed superior accomplishments and dedicated service to earn these awards. Only positive praise came from co-workers and superiors alike regarding the accomplishments of these two individuals. 

"Professionals like you make the rest of us looks so good," were the words Col. Kevin Pottinger, 301st FW commander used concerning Mr. Dale's nomination. 

"Mr. Dale's upbeat attitude and professionalism was key to his success which led to this nomination," said Mr. Leroy Babin, 301st FW comptroller. 

He came to the 301st FM office about six years ago through a palace acquire civilian program. As Mr. Dale's three-year term was coming to an end, the former quality assurance technician left, creating an opening in the finance section. He applied, got the position and has been described by co-workers as an asset to the finance office ever since. 

"He has a very tough job as an auditor," said Mr. Babin. "He manages to train and service people and keep them smiling in the end." 

Some of his major accomplishments, as noted on Mr. Dale's award package include: 

*An important instrument in the 99.9 percent execution of a 67 million dollar budget -- both as FM asset and resource advisor -- was right there to help execute 1.7 million dollars of Unfunded Request funds during the fiscal year's last 48 hours 

*Developed a tracking device for discrepancies found on time cards, which generated a streamline audit process 

*He was recognized by the 610th Security Forces Squadron for his staff assistance visit, which earned them an excellent rating in the Unit Compliance Inspection. 

This was the first formal award for Mr. Dale. Mr. Babin first informed Gerald of this award and was had Colonel Pottinger present him a wing commander's coin. 

"I was pretty shocked and pleased at the same time," said Mr. Dale. "AFRC is pretty competitive with all of the bases out there." 

Mr. Babin said Gerald stood out because of his versatility. "He is always willing to help members with anything they need; travel cards, resource advisor -- he is a jack-of-all-trades." 

His future plans include the continuation on this successful path. He would like to move into the budget office or the comptroller position eventually. 

"I would like to broaden my horizons and try different jobs -- I don't want to limit myself," said Mr. Dale. 

His counterpart, Mr. Salvador J. Talamo, also had a successful year as the 301st Fighter Wing military pay technician. He received a lot of positive feedback from his superiors and customer's alike. 

"Mr. Talamo worked late to finish with a customer before he left for school in the evening," said Mr. Babin. "He also did the job of three people for three-fourths of the year because of two vacancies we had." 

His most notable accomplishments, as stated by the award committee, include:
*Positive feedback from many of his customers praising him for the quick and efficient manner in which he resolved their military pay issues. This resulted in the deployed troops high morale, allowing the members to concentrate on their mission and not their pay issues. 

*He also processed 12,000 Reserve pay transactions with a 99 percent accuracy rate 

*Efficiently trained Reservists while backfilling for the AEF 

*And was a key player in the 926th FW New Orleans' transition and other base closures as the results of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission. 

"This is a great example of total force," said Lt. Col. Bobbie Munsell, 301st Fighter Wing military comptroller. "We've always been able to hire good people and do what headquarters wants us to do. That's why we're able to keep the manning spots we have." 

The 301st Fighter Wing finance office takes care of their people. Aside from the yearly awards through AFRC, they also have their own recognition program. They nominate someone every quarter and give them a plaque and money incentives explained Mr. Babin. 

In conclusion, he commented that everyone in the office works very hard and deserves to win. He could have easily nominated them all. 

"This is the largest Reserve finance office in AFRC and we are proud to be one of the best," said Mr. Babin.
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