BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services announced today the 2014 award winners for the A1 community.
Three of the winners are from the Air Reserve Personnel Center:
Lt. Col. Michael Ortiz – Personnel Reserve Component Field Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Andrew Williams – Personnel Reserve Component Company Grade Officer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Amy Szpak – Force Support Reserve Component Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
As the chief technology officer, Ortiz designed, tested, and launched a virtual development team project expected to save 1.2 million dollars per year in TDY costs. Self-taught in software code for smart phone and tablet applications, he utilized his talents to exploit evolving technology for the entire Air Force A1 community. As a result, he was selected to assess 22 information technology systems at ARPC which supports nearly 1 million total force Airmen. Ortiz is actively pursuing a Master in Business Administration, is a member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Toast Master, and takes on-line courses in project management through the Project Management Institute. During his spare time, he volunteers his time for the Leukemia and Lymphoma in Denver.
As the chief of the personnel readiness branch, Williams executed 24 total force Individual Ready Reserve musters involving more than 9,000 members, making it the largest and best program to date. He forged an innovative partnership with recruiters resulting in 17 IRR members accessing back into the Ready Reserve, saving the Air Force more than 950 thousand dollars in training costs. Williams won ARPC’s CGO of the Year for 2013 and won CGO of the Quarter twice in 2014. He completed training as a board recorder for the Secretary of the Air Force’s officer promotion boards and facilitated a posttraumatic stress break-out session during ARPC’s Wingman Day. During his spare time, he taught classes to about 20 cadets during Colorado University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Career Day and taught a class to local 5th graders on today’s military service. He was also a member of the Joint Service Honor Flight that welcomed home 35 World War II and Korean veterans returning to Denver after a trip from Washington, D.C.
As a retirements specialist, Szpak meticulously worked retired pay audits for more than 275 members which resulted in on-time retired pay for these members. She also completed more than 400 transfers to the retired Reserve, surpassing deadlines and ensuring all members were honored for their service. As a team leader, she was responsible for over 2,200 Total Force Service Center phone calls, resulting in 100 percent customer satisfaction. She was the go-to person to resolve hot incidents and was recognized by the ARPC commander for unsurpassed customer service skills. Dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, Szpak became certified as a physical training leader and in cardio pulmonary resuscitation. She also completed a personal training program with the International Sports Sciences Academy. During her spare time, she is the secretary for both the ARPC Booster Club and the Junior Enlisted Advisory Council and performs honor guard duty for numerous ceremonies.
"Each category was very competitive, and the winners are to be commended for their outstanding contributions and continued commitment to excellence in serving Airmen and their families," Lt. Gen. Samuel D. Cox stated in the announcement.