SER News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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.