The Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) announced their selection of the civilian of the year (COY) March 16.
Gerald "Gerry" Swann, foreign military assistance specialist and cost analyst was chosen as NETSAFA's first COY in the command's history.
"This Navy command, NETSAFA, is very good at rewarding its employees," said Swann. "I'm fortunate to have had the opportunity to start a career here and to have worked so many years with such a great team."
Swann has worked at NETSAFA since 1992 and has served in his current position for seven and a half years. During his 22-year tenure at NETSAFA, he graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Electrical Engineering in 2008, and also received his Master's Degree in Computer Science in 2010. One of his hobbies is studying mathematical algorithms. No stranger to command awards, he was the recipient of the Navy's Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2013.
According to Janie Glover, NETSAFA deputy director, Swann is a hard worker both on-the-job and during his off-time.
"It is wonderful to be able to recognize someone that has performed unbelievable tasks throughout 2014 that benefited every department in this command," said Glover. "Gerry is a great asset to NETSAFA and is well deserving of recognition as our first COY."
Jan Isosaari, Billing and Costing Division supervisor, nominated Swann for the award, and says he is a problem solver; when presented with a problem he looks for an expeditious solution.
"He is revered by his peers in the Costing Division and at NETSAFA," said Isosaari. "Gerry always has time for his teammates and willingly provides patient instruction and guidance in various databases and Excel operations."
According to the award nomination, Swann used his extensive knowledge of computers to streamline processes in the costing division of NETSAFA's Finance Department. Specifically, he developed cradle-to-grave automated software tools that started with the creation of the Activity Costing Worksheet (ACW), which was briefed and approved for use by all maritime partners (Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard). He further refined the ACW to create an ACW specific to Commander Fleet Forces Command (CFFC) requirements and incorporated recommendations and requirements requested by CFFC to include flight and associated simulator costs for international pilots, which provided a new method of pricing for CFFC.
NETSAFA Finance Department Head Frank Cabigting appreciates Swann's unique skill-set.
"The combination of intricate mathematical skills coupled with extensive computer hardware and software knowledge has made him a valued asset, not just to our Finance Department, but to NETSAFA as a whole," said Cabigting.
NETSAFA is the U.S. Navy's agent for international education and training and coordinates training support to international governments and international organizations. As a field activity of the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the command serves as a focal point for all security assistance training program issues, coordination and advice within the U.S. Navy.
For more information about NETSAFA, visit https://www.netsafa.navy.mil.
Additional information on the Naval Education and Training Command can be found on the NETC website: https://www.netc.navy.mil.
For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.
