SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Patricia M. Young, an Air Force Senior Executive serving as deputy to the commander, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, has been named a Meritorious Executive in the Presidential Rank Awards for 2008.

President George W. Bush announced recipients of the prestigious awards October 6.
Each year since the establishment of the Senior Executive Service in 1978, the President has conferred the ranks of Distinguished Executive and Meritorious Executive on a select group of career members of the SES who have provided exceptional service to the American people over an extended period of time.

The Meritorious Executive rank is awarded to leaders for sustained accomplishments. Only 5 percent of SES career members may receive this award, a silver pin, and a framed certificate signed by the President.

Her dedication during a time of transition for SDDC and its employees was instrumental in Young's recognition by the President.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition," Young said. "The accomplishments of the past few years would not have been possible without the confidence of my leadership and the hard work of our military and civilian workforce."

As deputy to the SDDC commander, Young is responsible for facilitating continuous improvement and innovation in the development of distribution policies, plans and programs supporting their global mission. These responsibilities impact joint service force deployment and logistics operations.

Young entered federal service in 1985 through the Palace Acquire Career Program with the Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Before being assigned to SDDC, Young was assigned to U.S. Transportation Command from 1993-2005. She joined SDDC as deputy to the commander in 2005.

SDDC provides global surface deployment and distribution services to meet the nation's objectives. SDDC deploys and sustains more than 90 percent of the Department of Defense's equipment and supplies by leveraging the capability of commercial industry and other military services.

For more information on the Presidential Rank Award, visit the Office of Personnel Management website at http://www.opm.gov/ses/performance/presrankawards.asp.