Ritva Koukku-Ronde (left), Finnish ambassador to the United States, pins Finnish Aviation Technician's Wings on Linda Boyd, Finland business financial manager for F/A-18 and EA-18 Program Office (PMA-265), during a ceremony April 22 at the Finnish Embassy in Washington, D.C. According to documentation, Boyd was presented with the gold wings because of her successful management of Finnish Foreign Military Sales contracts for PMA-265 and the planning and monitoring of the use of financial resources. She is the seventh non-Finnish person to receive the award. (U.S. Navy photo)
PMA-265 Finland financial manager soars on wings of gold
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- An F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA 265) business financial manager (BFM) recently joined an elite fraternity when she was awarded a set of gold aviation wings for her accomplishments in the program’s international sales efforts.
Linda Boyd, a PMA-265 Finland International Program BFM, became the seventh foreign recipient of Finland’s Aircraft Maintenance Technician’s Brevet Honoris Causa Award during a ceremony April 22 at the Finnish Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Boyd, was presented the award, comparable to receiving an honorary university doctorate, for being a key enabler to the success of Finland’s F/A-18 purchase according to the award citation.
“Receiving this award is an outstanding accomplishment,” said Capt. Frank Morley, PMA-265 program manager. “We are very proud of Linda as well our two other program office employees … who also received this award.”
PMA 265’s International Business program manager Randy Powell and New Business product manager Ken Harris also received the award.
“Boyd has been an excellent business partner,” said Bill McDonald, PMA-265’s Finland program manager. “She has been with the project since nearly the beginning. Her positive attitude and active approach to all matters helped the chief program officers of the U.S. Navy and the Finnish air force manage this multi-faceted F/A-18 purchase.”
Boyd’s involvement with Finland’s F/A-18 purchase began in 1996 and, since that time, her responsibilities expanded to cover preparation and management of all Finland’s major development programs.
“Linda Boyd is fully conversant with the program management concepts of the Finnish Air Force, and she has consistently worked to the advantage of our air service,” said Lt. Col Kim Juhala, Finnish Air Force.
“I am truly honored to receive such a prestigious award,” Boyd said. “It has always been a pleasure to work with the Finnish Air Force and the group of professionals associated with them.”
Boyd has almost 30 years of federal service, 17 of which have been with the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office, serving international business.