More than 200 people recognized NAVAIR’s top business financial managers (BFMs) for their customer service and process improvement efforts during the fourth annual AIR-7.8 Headquarters Award for Excellence in Financial Management Service presentation Sept. 17.

Sharon Gellerson, director, Program and Business Analysis Department, established the award in 2011 to acknowledge those BFMs who focus on customer and program needs to find new methods of meeting or exceeding customer and program expectations. The award also acknowledges an individual’s efforts in improving customer services and promoting quality of work life.

“You’ve all made a significant difference in supporting NAVAIR and AIR-7.8’s mission and we are honored to have you as our colleagues,” Gellerson said during the ceremony 17 at the River’s Edge Catering and Conference Center at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

“You should be proud of your contributions, and we thank you for your commitment and dedication to excellence in financial management service,” Gellerson said.

The seven nominated in the BFM category and 12 in the lead BFM category, share other attributes: they are mentors and role models contributing to program execution and fleet support. Effective communication skills are essential to their success.

“Communication and flexibility are keys to efficiency in our fast-paced, dynamic environment,” said Cindy Burke, assistant PEO for Business and Financial Management, PEO(A) and recipient of the excellence award in the lead BFM category.

“However, communication and flexibility have been absolutely critical the last few years to meet the many challenges (some unprecedented) resulting from the constrained fiscal environment that appears to be our new nor,” Burke said. “The financial community continues to meet these challenges by communicating, staying focused on the customer, being flexible, and keeping our sense of humor.”

Tammy Kortbein, AIR-6.0 BFM and senior analyst for the Aviation Depot Maintenance Engine account, and winner in the BFM category, echoed the importance of communication. “Communication directly impacts how successful we are in obtaining our objectives,” Kortbein said. “In my position, one key factor is ensuring all stakeholders are speaking with one voice up the chain of command. Inconsistencies in numbers/data directly increases risk to our funding levels. With the austere funding environment we are entering, this is more critical than ever.”