HEADQUARTERS, NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Enabling customer success was a major attribute of 19 business financial managers (BFMs) nominated for the seventh annual AIR-7.8 Headquarters Award for Excellence in Financial Management Service.

Established in 2011 and celebrated Oct. 12, the award acknowledges 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 service and promoting quality of work life.

“Our BFMs understand when the team wins, they win. The team's success is their success,” said Todd Washington, director, Program and Business Analysis Department, during the ceremony at the River’s Edge Catering and Conference Center at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

“The nominees were also willing to innovate and adapt, characteristics that helped them standout. As we rapidly move to digital business operations, these nominees will be leaders in getting us there,” said Washington.

On hand to present the awards was Greg Yellman, deputy assistant commander for Corporate Ops and Total Force, who was a plank owner in the establishment of the Business Financial Management Community in 2000.

“This award hits a soft spot in my heart to see that the organization continues to receive the valuable contributions of our BFM employees. Our BFMs are vital to operations and the ultimate delivery of products to the warfighter,” Yellman said.

Each of the 11 nominees in the BFM category and eight in the lead BFM category were recognized with a walk-up song and album cover as they accepted their award from Yellman.

Patricia Graves, lead BFM for the Strike Planning and Execution Systems Program Office (PMA-281), garnered the award in the Lead BFM category.

Graves was recognized by her program for her communication skills, efficiency and proactive approach, particularly when it comes to advising program managers and tracking the funding to ensure the budgets and the program objective memorandum (POM) process supports the program’s needs in the future.

“Communication is key because, as BFMs, we have our own language and the words we use are important,” Graves said. “But just as important as the words is our ability to listen.” When asked a question, Graves said she applies her knowledge of the program and asks additional questions for clarification before providing guidance.

She has found that the majority of funding issues are based on misunderstanding the meaning of financial terms. “If your program knows you are willing to listen and help, they will come to you more frequently for guidance and direction,” Graves said.

Graves attributes her team’s efficiency with working hard and having fun. “Since we are at work more waking hours than we are with our families, it’s important to appreciate your team’s hard work and dedication by promoting fun at work,” she said. She takes advantage of weekly team meetings and teambuilding events offsite to build relationships and celebrate successes.

Working hard and mentoring others was also an attribute of Linda Downs, BFM for the Common Support Equipment Program Office (PMA-260), and winner in the BFM category. Downs was recognized, in part, for her positive attitude, and training and mentoring of new BFMs and integrated program team members as well as formulation and execution of program budgets.

Downs attributes her positive, can-do attitude to her father, who told her and her siblings to “work hard to hold on to a good job, and when you start a project always finish it,” she said.

That attitude motivated her to complete the first BFM Community internship program focused on training existing administrative staff to become BFMs.

“Mr. Greg Yellman was the first role model in my BFM career,” Downs said. “Since I was the first to take on the intern position I did not want to let him down. He worked daily with me to make sure I had the training I needed and the resources to get the job done.”

Her advice to others is to keep working until the project is complete. “Our mission is to support the fleet, and the personal satisfaction comes when you see the products we have worked hard to procure are delivered to the warfighter.”

Group photo: Front row from left are Janet Cratty, BFM for the Air Combat Electronics Program; Lauren Garrity, BFM with the VH-92A Presidential Helo Program; Laura Soule, lead BFM for the Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems Program Office; Jamie Seiss, BFM for Joint Primary Training System; Kathryn Lotierzo, lead BFM for the V-22 Program Office; Cmdr. Scott Logan, deputy BFM for Airborne Strategic Command, Control & Communications; Patricia Graves, lead BFM for the Strike Planning and Execution Systems Program Office and winner of the lead BFM category; Justin Adriani, BFM with Tomahawk Program; Linda Downs, BFM for Common Support Equipment Program and winner in the BFM category; Judy Kellam, PRL Execution Lead for Logistics & Industrial Operations; Diane Briscoe, deputy director of NAVAIR Program & Business Analysis and BFM of the Year award winner; and Candy Chesser, SES director, Logistics Management Integration Department.
Back Row: Greg Yellman, deputy assistant commander for Corporate Ops and Total Force; Buck Buchanan, SES, PEO(U&W). deputy program executive officer for Strike Weapons; Tami Cobaugh, lead BFM for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Program Office; Todd Washington, director, Program and Business Analysis Department; Shannon Davis, senior BFM for F-35 Logistics and Sustainment Program; Kathy Brown, BFM for the R&A Team; Jennifer Reeves, program/budget coordination lead BFM for the R&A Team; Jacob Cullison, BFM for MH-60R Foreign Military Sales Program; Diane Zrimsek, BFM for the T-45 Goshawk Program: Marty Reynolds, BFM for Strike Planning and Execution Systems; Cathy Knapp, Aviation Logistics BFM for Logistics & Industrial Operations; and Robert Kimble, SES PEO(U&W) deputy PEO for Unmanned Aviation. Not pictured is Michele Holt, lead BFM for the Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment Program Office.