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20th MXG honors professionals of 2006

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SUMTER, S.C. --  The Sumter Exhibition Center was packed with more than 1,000 maintainers April 13 as the 20th Maintenance Group recognized its 2006 Maintenance Professionals of the Year.

"Tonight, we get to recognize the best of the best," said Col. Michael Vidal, 20th MXG commander. 

The banquet highlights the contributions of all 20th MXG members and recognizes the most outstanding Airmen within the group.

The banquet featured guest speaker Richard Paul Evans who wrote the No. 1 best-seller, "The Christmas Box." Mr. Evans lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended the event to show his support for the military.

"We are really thankful that Mr. Evans could be with us tonight," Colonel Vidal said. "I heard him speak at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and he shared a different perspective about life and we are blessed he could be with us."

"I'm so happy to be here," Mr. Evans said at the beginning of his speech. "The military has a place in my heart. I'm so grateful for what you all do and am grateful for the dreams you make possible for so many."

During the speech, Mr. Evans shared some of his life changing events and life lessons as well as talked about the power and meaning of forgiveness.

After the speech, the Maintenance Professional of the Year winners were announced.

The General Lew Allen Jr. Trophy winners are: 
-- Major William Ray, 20th Maintenance Operations Squadron 
-- Master Sgt. Brian Baldwin, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit

The Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award winners are: 
-- Staff Sgt. Thanh Nguyen, 20th MOS 
-- Airman 1st Class Jessica Keeney, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 
-- Tech. Sgt. Arthur Ford, 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron 
-- Tech. Sgt. Michael Catlett, 20th EMS
-- Master Sgt. Nicolas Iorga, 20th EMS
-- Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Pankuch, 20th Component Maintenance Squadron
-- Capt. Neal Van Houten, 20th EMS
-- Capt. Anthony Fleming, 20th AMXS
-- Mr. Joe Pellish, 20th MOS

The 2006 Maintenance Professional of the Year winners are: 
-- Outstanding training manager category, Tech. Sgt. Sharon Wilson, 20th MOS
-- Outstanding instructor category, Tech. Sgt. Paul Vatrano, 20th MOS
-- Outstanding maintenance manager category, Senior Airman Curtis Loos, 20th MOS
-- Outstanding support person category, Tech. Sgt. Gerald Perry, 20th EMS
-- Outstanding off-equipment specialist category, Staff Sgt. Kent Greenwood, 20th CMS -- Outstanding on-equipment specialist category, Staff Sgt. William Biermann, 77th AMU
-- Outstanding off-equipment section category, non-destructive inspection section, 20th EMS
-- Outstanding on-equipment section category, weapons section, 55th AMU
-- Outstanding flight category, propulsion flight, 20th CMS
-- Outstanding weapons load crew category, Staff Sgt. Miguel Duarte, and Senior Airmen Steven Dash and Jacob Tolman, 79th AMU
-- Senior noncommissioned officer category, Senior Master Sgt. Luis Brito, 20th EMS
-- Outstanding company grade officer category, Capt. Anthony Fleming, 20th AMXS

The Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes Award winners are: 
-- Crew chief of the year category, Staff Sgt. Andrew Kemna, 79th AMU
-- Airman category, Senior Airman Jason Richards, 20th AMXS
-- Noncommissioned officer category, Staff Sgt. Javin Guile, 20th AMXS
-- Outstanding support squadron category, 20th CMS
-- Outstanding AMU category, 55th AMU