Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) leadership named Capt. Nate Schneider a winner of the Outstanding Performance Award during an NAE Air Board video teleconference Jan. 7.

Schneider was recognized for his work as the military director for Naval Air Systems Command Logistics Management Integration Department (NAVAIR 6.6), as co-executive director of the Engineering, Maintenance and Supply Chain Management team, and as a leader of the Future Readiness cross-functional team (FR CFT).

In his role, he was instrumental in improving readiness and achieving cost savings and avoidances, according to the letter of appreciation signed by Vice Adm. Paul Grosklags, Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

"You were critical to improving the readiness posture of all Navy and Marine Corps Type/Model/Series (TMS) aircraft platforms and facilitated great cost savings and avoidance for these platforms through your focused efforts to identify and implement operational and support cost reduction initiatives," Grosklags wrote.

Schneider spearheaded logistics assessment and support initiatives, such as the implementation of the Integrated Logistics Support Management System (ILSMS) tool. ILSMS is a data analysis tool that aggregates 10 years of historical data from 19 disparate data systems into a single source providing readiness, cost, inventory, maintenance, supply and operational flight-hour data in a standardized format to inform fleet operators, program teams and the logistics community.

As a leader of the FR CFT and a voting member of the future readiness initiatives process, Schneider's efforts contributed to Naval Aviation's readiness and affordability in years to come.

"As an integral part of the Future Readiness cross-functional team, your efforts were critical in evaluating numerous cost saving initiatives that accounted for several billions of dollars saved over their lifetime," Grosklags wrote.

According to Schneider, he was honored to receive the NAE award and wanted to recognize his teammates as a vital part of the efforts leading to his recognition.

"I fully believe that this is a major team effort," Schneider said, "and I accept this recognition humbly on behalf of the cross-functional team members and departments that have earned it."

Reflecting on the NAE partnership and its mission to advance current and future readiness at best possible cost, Schneider expressed pride in NAE stakeholders' teamwork and contributions to readiness.

"The NAE construct is an extremely valuable way to accomplish virtually impossible or multifaceted tasks," Schneider said. "In this collaborative environment, we are yielding optimized or expedited results. Specifically the Engineering, Maintenance and Supply Chain Management CFT leaders are breaking down barriers as well as instituting policy while taking decisive action to reduce current Ready Basic Aircraft (RBA) gaps."

The NAE Air Board, composed of leaders partnering to pursue the best interests of Naval Aviation, recognizes typically one Sailor, Marine or civilian employee each month for his or her outstanding enterprise-centric contributions to Naval Aviation. Award winners serve as positive examples of the enterprise approach at work. They routinely illustrate a commitment to the NAE principles of process improvement, a willingness to challenge assumptions, a focus on effectiveness and efficiency and a commitment to the greater good of Naval Aviation.

Naval Aviation leaders have distributed the monthly NAE Outstanding Performance Award since 2008 to promote a culture of cost-wise readiness. For a full listing of monthly award winners since 2008, visit www.nae.navy.mil. For more information, contact the NAE at nae@navy.mil