ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Rebecca Nappi, a U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command public affairs specialist with G9/Strategic Communications, recently was recognized as the first place winner of the Kathy Canham-Ross Award of Distinction.
This award is part of the Army-wide Major General Keith L. Ware Communication Awards Competition.
Nappi serves as a community relations liaison for APG Senior Commander and CECOM Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Robert Edmonson, interfacing between APG and surrounding local, state and federal leaders, organizations and industry partners.
According to her award write-up, Nappi instrumentally expanded APG’s footprint within the community and facilitated opportunities to connect during the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts included creating a community relations strategic plan of engagements for Edmonson, who took command in August 2021, and connecting with the local National Football League community relations for Soldier and military child opportunities.
For the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, she planned and executed an hybrid in-person and virtual Patriot Day ceremony with the assistance of the G9 team. The program featured pre-recorded personal stories from APG personnel and a Gold Star Mother.
"It's been an honor to lead CECOM and APG's community relations program, but this has been a complete team effort,” Nappi said. “No piece of this puzzle could have been completed without the tremendous efforts of the CECOM G9 team as a whole and our partner public affairs staff throughout the installation."
CECOM Chief of Staff Col. Joshua Trimble praised Nappi and the G9 team.
“This outstanding and forward-thinking team and Ms. Nappi’s community relations efforts deserve to be recognized for the innovation and hard work they have displayed to build and connect our installation with the surrounding region and its leaders,” he said. “We have seen a positive change in the way our community and its leaders see APG and I know this will only continue to improve due to their efforts.”
About the Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Communications Awards Competition
The Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Communications Awards Competition recognizes Soldiers and Department of the Army civilian employees for excellence in achieving the objectives of the Army Public Affairs Program. On behalf of the Secretary of the Army, the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs conducts the competition annually in order to recognize, cultivate and inspire excellence within the Army public affairs community.
The KLW Competition aligns as closely as possible with the annual Defense Media Awards, establishes competition criteria and provides the Army with guidance for recognizing the most notable work of its public affairs professionals. The competition includes the Army’s Community Relations Awards program and Sgt. Maj. Dawn Kilpatrick Memorial AUSA Scholarship.
The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, CECOM, delivers integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need. CECOM is a major subordinate command to the U.S. Army Materiel Command, and is headquartered on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
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