A Navy Sailor-of-the-Year embodies dedication and leadership both in a professional and personal manner. For one Sailor assigned to Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command dedication to career and leadership and the Navy mission was what set him apart.

Information Technician 1st Class Steven Mahon was recently selected as CNRFC Sailor-of-the-Year for 2017.

"It's a great feeling of accomplishment. I am completely overjoyed to see a year's worth of hard work come together," said Mahon. "I have never been to a command with so much leadership, knowledge and willfulness to better individuals. Every day is a personal and professional learning experience and I am grateful for everything I have been taught."

Mahon, an active-duty Sailor from Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, has been assigned to CNRFC for the past 27 months. He stressed that it's the success of the command's mission that matters most.

"The active and Reserve side play no part to me," said Mahon. "The mission focus we have here is equally as important to anything else the Navy has to offer and I am here to assist others ensuring its success."

Mahon's knowledge and experience leading both military and civilian personnel recently earned him the 2017 Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer award.

"I worked with Mahon as a fellow first class and he was a great person to work with, always there when you need him", said Chief Information Technician Cortney Balhoff, also assigned to CNRFCs Intelligence department. "Mahon holds the department together and makes sure the morale and cohesiveness is there."

Nominations and selection as CNRFC Sailor-of-the-Year is based upon command contributions such as leadership, job performance, and Sailorization. Mahon's nomination package is a reflection of a team effort.

"I definitely would not be where I am without my department. They put in hard work every day and my selection is a direct reflection of them", said Mahon.

In 1972, former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Whittlet established the Sailor of the Year Program recognizing one Sailor who demonstrates both professional and personal dedication and represents the Navy's best of the best. 10 years following the programs establishment, the Sailor-of-the-Year was expanded to include the Navy Reservists.

For more from Commander, Navy Reserve Force, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrf/.