2024 Director's Management and Administration Awards

The dedicated work of National Park Service employees serving in management and administration plays a vital role in the Park Service's success.

The annual 2024 Director’s Management and Administration Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the advancement and service of management, administration, Information Technology (IT), and Information Management by NPS employees.

The Excellence Awards recognize employees who go beyond day-to-day duties to solve problems or create new opportunities. They do so with creative thinking and action.

This year we recognize efforts that took place in 2022 and 2023.

Excellence in Customer Service Award

The Excellence in Customer Service Award recognizes outstanding performance and dedication. The award goes to those who provide exceptional service to internal NPS customers. It honors individuals who consistently go above and beyond. They address customer needs well, resolve issues, and foster positive relationships.

Team — Excellence in Customer Service Award

Olympic National Park & Pacific West Region

The National Park Service is thrilled to announce that we have awarded the team Excellence in Customer Service Award to the Olympic National Park and Pacific West Region (PWR) teams involved in responding to the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge fire.

In May 2023, faced with a devastating loss, the Olympic NP administration and fee teams, the PWR Major Acquisition Buying Office, and the PWR budget team and more, showed great dedication and innovation. They quickly coordinated emergency services. They also reconfigured critical infrastructure and implemented new operational strategies.

These actions ensured the safety and satisfaction of over 150,000 visitors. They showed unwavering commitment to service, professionalism, and teamwork during a challenging time. They exemplified the highest standards of customer service in the National Park Service.

The team included Aaron Dowe, Alison Lawson, Amy Mattix, Bobby Vaughan, Bruce Rothweiler, Catherine Crandall, Cheryl Higbee, Christopher Fryday, David Fuller, Erin Casey, Evan Murphy, Joshua Henson, Lisa Walls, Megan Akkerman, Michael Beatty, Mickey Chisolm, Parker Lindenberg, Paul Maas, Phaedra Fuller, Quinn Rankin, Rachel Overpeck, Rodney Roberson, Sarah Willoughby, Trina Lapinsky, and Zachary Binx.

Clara McNamara, Budget Analyst, is dedicated to providing excellent customer support to multiple parks in the Northeast Region.

Clara McNamara

Individual — Excellence in Customer Service Award

Clara McNamara

We are delighted to announce Clara McNamara as the winner of the individual Excellence in Customer Service Award.

Clara joined the National Park Service in late 2022. Since then, she has made a big impact. She is a dedicated budget analyst who serves many parks and program managers. She does so with exceptional hard work and warmth. Clara pays meticulous attention to detail and acts proactively. Her actions not only made budget processes more efficient but have also improved the skills of many colleagues. She did this through insightful training sessions and improved standard operating procedures. Clara's unwavering commitment to fostering camaraderie, empathy, and effective communication across teams reflects her outstanding dedication to customer service excellence.

Clara serves many parks and programs in the Northeast Region (NER), including Marsh–Billings–Rockefeller National Historical Park, Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Coltsville National Historical Park, and New England National Scenic Trail.

Excellence in Innovation Award

The Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes significant advancements or pioneering efforts that contribute to the mission and goals of the National Park Service. The award honors innovative solutions, technologies, or practices that enhance management and administration within the NPS.

Team — Excellence in Innovation Award

Ken Andrews & Adam Ross

We are thrilled to announce Ken Andrews and Adam Ross as the team recipient of the Excellence in Innovation Award.

The pair were nominated by Ray McPadden, superintendent of Western Arctic National Parklands. They are recognized for their exceptional collaboration and innovative leadership at the parklands. In June 2023, sea ice damage to fiber optic lines caused a critical communication outage. In response, Ken Andrews spearheaded the implementation of a groundbreaking communication system. The system operates in low Earth orbit. Despite lacking formal IT training, Ken's ingenuity and dedication was an asset. Supported by Adam Ross's expertise from the Alaska regional office, together they restored vital connectivity to the park and its community within weeks.

Their initiative not only quadrupled bandwidth but also ensured reliable, high-quality communication. This will continue to benefit the region for years to come. Ken and Adam's exemplary teamwork and innovation have set a new standard for crisis response and technological advancement within the National Park Service.

Ryan Simons, Business and Administration Training Manager with Stephen T. Mather Training Center, is a champion of accessibility through his innovative work

Ryan Simons

Individual — Excellence in Innovation Award

Ryan Simons

We are excited to announce Ryan Simons as the recipient of the individual Excellence in Innovation Award.

Ryan received a nomination for his exceptional contributions to the National Park Service (NPS). He applied visionary leadership in his use of cutting-edge technology and accessible design to learning and development initiatives. This has greatly advanced the organization's capabilities. His clever use of AI-powered software and 508-compliant tools has boosted efficiency. It has also made learning inclusive and engaging for NPS employees across various offices. Ryan is dedicated to service, humility, and making a transformative impact. He embodies the innovative spirit of the NPS.

Excellence in Efficiency Award

The Excellence in Efficiency Award recognizes exceptional efforts in improving operational effectiveness, resource management, and organizational efficiency within the National Park Service. It honors initiatives or practices that streamline processes, reduce costs, enhance productivity, and optimize the use of resources to achieve strategic objectives.

Ginger Irvine, a Concessions Management Specialist with the Alaska Regional Office, has significantly streamlined operations across multiple parks in Alaska.

Ginger Irvine

Individual — Excellence in Efficiency Award

Ginger Irvine

We are delighted to announce Ginger Irvine as an individual recipient of the Excellence in Efficiency Award.

She is being recognized for her great work on the National Park Service's Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Program. Ginger has shown innovative leadership in developing an online reporting system. The system has significantly streamlined operations across multiple parks in Alaska. Ginger's initiative:

• fixed tech compatibility issues
• set reporting standards
• enabled automatic billing through pay.gov
• improved efficiency and accuracy in data management

Ginger is a dedicated team player. Her commitment to continuous improvement exemplifies the highest standards for efficiency in the NPS.

Individual — Excellence in Efficiency Award

Michele Torok

We are pleased to announce Michele Torok as one of the individual winners of the Excellence in Efficiency Award.

Michele won for her great leadership and dedication as an Administrative Officer (AO) at Saguaro National Park. Since 2007, Michele has pioneered a sustainable, shared services administrative structure. It supports four parks in southern Arizona and sets a benchmark for efficiency in the National Park Service. Her innovative approach has optimized resources. It includes the development of a shared services agreement among multiple parks. This has enhanced operational effectiveness. Michele's strong commitment and deep operational knowledge have created a thriving model. It benefits all parks involved.

Exceptional IT Service Award

The Exceptional IT Service Award recognizes exemplary work, innovative thinking, and dedication in the performance of information technology (IT) service. It focuses on a specific act that is exceptional and moves the IT environment forward.

Carlos Trivino, IT Specialist with Information Resources Management Directorate, is dedicated to providing excellent customer support to everyone in the National Park Service.

Shannon Trivino

Carlos Trivino

The Superintendent of Vicksburg National Military Park nominated Carlos Trivino, an IT Specialist in the headquarters Information Resources Directorate.

We recognize the great support Carlos has given and still provides to Vicksburg National Military Park and Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Carlos dedicates himself to supporting small parks and played a key role in critical IT projects at both parks. His work embodies the qualities that make NPS IT excellent. Carlos led the projects, which greatly improved operational efficiency and connectivity at both parks. Carlos has an unwavering commitment to customer service. Thanks to his dedication to solving issues quickly and effectively, he has earned the admiration and gratitude of colleagues and park staff alike.

Advancement of IT and Information Management Award

The Advancement of IT and Information Management Award recognizes outstanding service that contributes to the overall advancement of IT or information management.

John Loggins, IT Specialist, identified and implemented a solution that increased park connection speeds at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

Eduarda Loggins

John Loggins

John Loggins is an IT Specialist at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. His leadership team nominated him for his exceptional innovation and determination. He discovered and blended multiple technologies to greatly increase connectivity there. Like many remote NPS units, network connectivity is challenging, if not impossible, to find due to limited industry infrastructure and tough terrain. John did targeted research and testing while remaining dedicated to customer service. He identified and implemented a solution that increased park connection speeds from 1.5 Mbs to 73 Mbs! His colleagues are thrilled. This increase in connectivity raised productivity across the Park and Preserve. It allows them to share files in minutes instead of hours and to collaborate on video calls with no interruptions.