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Southeast Region Civil Air Patrol Recognizes 2023 Annual Award Winners
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – The Southeast Region of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) has announced its 2023 Annual Award recipients, celebrating outstanding contributions across its six Wings: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands.
Southeast Region Commander, Col. Jeffery Garrett, praised the dedication and professionalism of the region’s members in his remarks:
“The Southeast Region has some of the most dedicated and professional volunteers in CAP. To be nominated for one of these annual awards among the 9,600 members of the Region is a testament to your hard work and excellent volunteer service. To be chosen as one of these award winners is truly an outstanding honor that speaks to your individual service as well as to the overall service of your Wings. I am absolutely humbled to serve alongside such amazing members of the Southeast Region. Well done, well deserved, and congratulations to you all! Thank you for your service to your Wings, the Region, and to the Civil Air Patrol.”
2023 Southeast Region Annual Award Winners
Senior Member and Cadet of the Year
Col. Glenn Atwell Southeast Region Cadet of the Year: C/Capt. Kaitlyn Renee Brown, TNWG
Senior Member of the Year: Lt. Col. Felix R. Davila, Sr., PRWG
Aerospace Education Awards
Maj. Gen. Jeanne M. Holm Aerospace Education Officer of the Year: Capt. Korey A. King, TNWG
Frank G. Brewer CAP Memorial Aerospace Award (Category I - Cadet): C/1st Lt. Rory Ian Thomason, TNWG
Frank G. Brewer CAP Memorial Aerospace Award (Category II - Senior Member): Maj. Kimberly T. Mevers, ALWG
Frank G. Brewer CAP Memorial Aerospace Award (Category III - Non-CAP Member): Pro Flight Gear LLC, TNWG
Frank G. Brewer CAP Memorial Aerospace Award (Category IV - Lifetime Achievement): Col. Richard Greenwood, SER
Cadet Programs Awards
AFSA Cadet NCO of the Year: C/CMSgt. Jonathan Drake, ALWG
John V. "Jack" Sorenson Cadet Programs Officer of the Year: Lt. Col. Rafael Martinez Perez, PRWG
Operations Awards
Col. Dion E. DeCamp Ground Team of the Year: Moca High School Cadet Squadron, PRWG
Col. Edwin Lewis Incident Staff Member of the Year: Capt. Scott D. Larsen, MSWG
Lt. Col. T. Keith Riddle Aircrew Member of the Year: Capt. Richard M. McLoughlin, GAWG
Col. David Cantor Operations Staff Officer of the Year: Maj. Edward B. Barnes, ALWG
Order of the Daedalians Flight Instructor of the Year: Capt. Marinko Svecak, FLWG
Mission Support Awards
Character Development Officer of the Year: Maj. Anthony S. Evangelista, GAWG
Squadron Chaplain of the Year: Lt. Col. Kenneth J. Pollock, MSWG
Wing Director of Finance of the Year: Col. James A. Harris, ALWG
Col. Lester E. Hopper CAP Wing Historian of the Year: Lt. Col. Geoffrey M. Chandler, GAWG
Inspector General of the Year: Col. Michael A. Oakman, ALWG
George Texido Legislative Officer of the Year: Col. Joseph M. Owens, ALWG
Professional Development Officer of the Year: Maj. Samuel J. Mercado, PRWG
Col. Robert V. “Bud” Payton Public Affairs Officer of the Year: Lt. Col. Beth T. Crane, FLWG
Property Manager Officer of the Year: Lt. Col. Talmadge Butler, ALWG
Communicator of the Year: Capt. George A. Yarchak, ALWG
Col. John Tilton Safety Officer of the Year: Capt. Amy J. Bright, GAWG
Squadron of Distinction: Music City Composite Squadron, TNWG
Legal Officer of the Year: Maj. Orvis A. Shiyou, MSWG
Health Service Officer of the Year: 1st Lt. Steven B. Dozier, ALWG
Congratulations to these awardees for their exceptional contributions to CAP’s mission of serving communities, saving lives, and shaping the future through aviation, emergency services, and cadet programs.
For more information, visit gocivilairpatrol.com or contact Southeast Region Public Affairs.
Col.-select Michael Willis has been named the next Commander of Civil Air Patrol’s Georgia Wing, after serving in diverse CAP leadership roles for a combined total of 30 years. A United States Air Force veteran, Willis has also enjoyed a highly successful career as a technology manager for a major insurance company.
