Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer (DON CIO) Robert Foster recognized individuals and teams for transforming the Navy and Marine Corps through information technology during a ceremony at the DON IT East Coast 2017 Conference held May 17, at the Hilton Norfolk the Main in Norfolk, Virginia.

"DON IT professionals do great work every day and innovative ideas come from people at all levels," said Foster. "For over 10 years, the DON CIO has honored the Department's outstanding performers with the DON IM/IT Excellence Awards, and I am pleased that we are able to recognize the achievements of another group of talented and dedicated professionals in 2017."

The awards are presented annually at both the DON IT West Conference and at the DON IT East Conference. The following individuals and teams have been honored in 2017.

DON IM/IT Excellence Awards

The DON IM/IT Excellence Awards recognize IM/IT teams and individuals who have transformed the Navy and Marine Corps through information technology. Winners are selected for their superior leadership skills and innovative use of IM/IT to significantly improve the effectiveness of the organization in delivering its mission.

DON IM/IT Excellence Award Individual Winners

Corey Posey, Host Based Security Team Lead, Marine Corps Defensive Cyber Operations for his significant contributions to the overall defense of the Marine Corps Enterprise Network through the development and implementation of innovative and cost effective security solutions that enabled the Marine Corps to securely adopt new technologies, improve network security capabilities and maintain Service-level compliance with Department of Defense requirements.

DON IM/IT Excellence Award Team Winners

High Speed Piers Suitcase (HSPS), Naval Enterprise Networks (NEN) Program Office (PMW-205) Tactical Networks Program Office (PMW-160) for responding to a critical Fleet capability shortfall. The (HSPS) team developed a technical solution to alleviate the pier side bandwidth shortage faced by Navy ships in port while that provides a capability that can be used during deployment.

533 Cyber Protection Team, Defensive Cyber Operations for improving cyber security across the U.S. 10th Fleet domain. This team's technical prowess, creative problem solving, and hard work were responsible for a record of achievement highlighted by an aggressive incident response aboard USS Paul Hamilton and support of I Marine Expeditionary Force's Large Scale Exercise 2016.

Team R2S Mobile App, CNRF Ready to Serve Mobile Application, for improving mission essential Navy Reserve Force business processes through the innovative development of a mobile application. R2S delivers secure access, information and services for Selected Reservists utilizing a secure browser, Common Access Card and Personal Identification Number. Reservists can securely access Navy email and information systems from a mobile device "anytime, anywhere" via R2S.

OJAG/CNLSC Knowledge Management Team, OJAG/CNLSC Knowledge Management for improving mission effectiveness in the legal community through the application of knowledge management (KM) concepts and practices. The processes, technological solutions, and tools the team developed lead to expanded collaboration and knowledge sharing in every legal practice area.

DON Cyberspace/IT Person of the Year and Rising Star

The DON Cyberspace/IT Person of the Year and Rising Star awards acknowledge individuals GS-13/04/W-1/E-7 and above and GS-12/03/E-6 and below, respectively, who display visionary thinking, innovation and superior leadership skills in delivering IT to support the DON's mission.

DON Cyberspace/IT Person of the Year

Lt. Cdr. Matthew R. Legler, NAVSEA Cybersecurity Initiative is recognized for coordinating with many stakeholders to ensure unity of effort and accomplishing the first Cyber Situational Awareness Alteration on a US Navy ship in just three months when planners estimated that it would take 18.

DON IM/IT Rising Star

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Patrick, Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Support was selected for consistently demonstrating a forward-thinking and innovative approach to IT. Patrick has displayed superlative leadership while serving in a billet calling for a Master Sergeant and enjoys a reputation within the Marine Corps for technical excellence.

DON Information System Security Manager (ISSM)/Information System Security Officer (ISSO) of the Year

The DON Information System Security Manager (ISSM)/Information System Security Officer (ISSO) of the Year award is presented to individuals who have contributed to security efforts that resulted in significant improvements in cybersecurity.

Brian K. Rupp, Information Systems Security Manager, Program Manager, Global Combat Support System - Marine Corps for his exceptional performance of duty while serving as the GCSS-MC Information Systems Security Manager. He ensured proper cyber security efforts were performed in support of three large scale concurrent projects at GCSS-MC.

DON Privacy Program Excellence Award

The Privacy Program Excellence Award is presented to an individual or team that demonstrates commitment to privacy and advancing the effectiveness of a command privacy program.

Hakim Anbiya, Privacy Act Compliance Officer, Privacy Act Program for improving the effectiveness of the privacy program throughout the Navy's Shore Enterprise. His list of achievements includes elimination of dozens of unofficial organizational forms that collected personal information and full compliance by Navy Shore Installations with Federal Information Security Management Act for the past four consecutive fiscal years.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program Excellence Award

The DON Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program Excellence Award is presented to an individual or team that exhibited superior leadership performance and commitment to freedom of information.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), FOIA Program exhibited sustained and superior high performance throughout Fiscal Year 2016 by increasing efficiency, implementing new technology, and demonstrating a strong commitment to freedom of information; resulting in the largest FOIA backlog reduction in the history of NCIS.

John J. Lussier Electromagnetic Spectrum Leadership Award

The John J. Lussier Electromagnetic Spectrum Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate superior achievement in DON Electromagnetic Spectrum management and use.

Dwayne Sumlin, Chief Joint Frequency Management Office United States Forces Japan, Spectrum Management for skillfully managing over fifteen thousand frequency assignments and support of dozens of exercises, you also distinguished yourself by your diplomatic and professional conduct as spokesman for the United States military forces serving in Japan.

Clay Mazyck, Base Frequency Manager, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans for his valuable contribution to the development of the Department of the Navy Streamlined Process for Commercial Broadband Deployment. As a working frequency manager, Mazyck provided practical insight that was crucial to making the streamlined policy workable, and his advocacy won needed support for the policy in the technical community.