SAN ANTONIO – Across the federal government, agencies have changed practices, methods and locations of training due to health restrictions over the past few years. Professional training is critical for those involved in military readiness, operations and safety for our troops, civilians and communities. One U.S. Army Environmental Command employee was recognized by the Alamo Federal Executive Board for developing a flexible training initiative for the environmental workforce through a virtual hybrid approach.
Through a virtual awards presentation on Weds., May 4, 2022, Cyd Paugh, USAEC workforce development/training specialist, was recognized as the Gold Winner in the Administrative Support category for the 2021 Excellence in Government Annual Awards.
“From my heart, I take seriously the training programs I've been entrusted to support,” said Cyd Paugh, USAEC Workforce Development/Training Specialist. “I am thrilled to witness the good they do to support the mission and being a part of that big picture is a terrific feeling.”
Paugh was recognized for her planning and coordination of 90 environmental training events during COVID-19 with institutions that included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the School of Professional Engineers, Texas A&M University, and the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association.
“Ms. Paugh’s out of the boxing thinking, pushing the precipice of technology with the use of computer tools such as MS Teams, Adobe Pro, cameras, and TV monitors, combined with her positive attitude, reinvigorated the environmental training program resulting in over 1,530 students trained in CY21,” said Bill FitzPatrick, USAEC operations branch chief. “Her innovation, tenacity, and dedication has created a dynamic environmental training program that enables the Army to sustain its environmental expertise while keeping the student and the instructor safe in today’s COVID-19 Health Protection Condition protocols.”
Paugh was quick to thank the command and community who supported her while developing and implementing this new initiative.
“Being recognized by the Alamo Federal Executive Board was an unexpected honor and completely filled me with pride and overwhelming joy,” said Paugh. “I am very proud to work for this command. Such things don’t occur in a silo, but only in conjunction with an expansive community of other like-minded professionals that I have the very good fortune to work and collaborate with.”
Also awarded during the virtual ceremony was Ruby Crysler, USAEC environmental services manager – Northeast and Europe division, Bronze Winner for the Professional category.
The Alamo Federal Executive Board was established in 1991 and is comprised of the senior official of each department or agency located in counties and one city metropolitan area, (San Antonio, Corpus Christi.) There are 130 federal agencies representing over 35,000 civilian, military, postal, and law enforcement employees.
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