Ten individuals and teams from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) have been honored with the Department of the Navy (DoN) Sean J. Stackley Acquisition Excellence Awards (AEA). The awards celebrate significant contributions in fostering competition and innovation across acquisition processes for Navy and Marine Corps programs.
Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, NAVAIR Commander, commended the awardees, emphasizing their dedication to improving service capabilities that support the warfighters. “We start with the fleet—always. We level up performance by thinking differently and collaborating across disciplines/organizations and forging partnerships,” Chebi stated.
The ceremony recognizing the awardees is set for November 7 at the Pentagon. The honorees cover various categories from program management to logistics, showcasing a wide spectrum of expertise and achievement within the Naval acquisition community.
Award Winners
- Program Manager of the Year – ACAT I: Col. Vasilios E. Pappas of the U.S. Marine Corps Light/Attack Helicopter Programs Office was recognized for his leadership within the Program Executive Office Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission.
- Product Support Manager of the Year – ACAT I: Jordan M. Schmalz from the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office received accolades for his role within the same executive office.
- Product Support Manager of the Year – ACAT II & Below: Jason B. Sprayberry of the Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems Program Office was honored for his contributions to the PEO Tactical Aircraft Programs.
- Acquisition Professional of the Year – Business-Cost Estimating: Lisa M. Heuser from the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Office was recognized for her precision and effectiveness in cost estimating.
- Acquisition Professional of the Year – Life Cycle Logistics: Nicholas P. Kessel was awarded for his logistical oversight in the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program.
- Acquisition Professional of the Year – Program Management: Anastasia D. Mack, VH-92A Deputy Program Manager from the Presidential Helicopters Program Office, received the honor.
- Acquisition Professional of the Year – Test & Evaluation: Lindsay C. Underwood, VH-92A Government Flight Test Director, was recognized for her contributions in the field of test and evaluation.
The awards also recognized team efforts including the PMA-274 Team receiving the Dr. Al Somoroff Acquisition Award and the Project Link Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Team from the Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges Program Office winning the Ron Kiss Maritime Technology Transition Award.
Completing the list of awardees, the Common Aviation Support Equipment Program Office was given the Sarkis Tatigian Award, underscoring the broad spectrum of expertise and dedication within the NAVAIR community.
