Comptroller squadron reigns in USAFE awards

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Justin Weaver
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Three individuals from the 31st Comptroller Squadron were selected to compete at the Air Force-level for various USAFE-level awards they won recently.

Maj. Derren Burrell was selected as the USAFE Maj. Gen. Frank R. Faykes Financial Manager and Comptroller of the Year; Capt. Mitch Leahy was named the USAFE Financial Management Officer of the Year and Monica Levi received the Robert D. Stuart Award for Excellence in Financial Management.

"Major Burrell and his comptroller team have done exceptional work and it shows in their selection for these awards," said Col. Michael Gantt, 31st Fighter Wing vice commander.

Major Burrell, the 31st CPTS and 31st FW Staff Agencies commander, partnered with commanders base-wide to earn more than $75,000 in rebates for the Government Travel Card program. He joined efforts with the mission support group commander to eliminate 21 leases: gaining $12.6 million in savings over the next four years. He also helped open the first new bank in more than 20 years.

"Without a great team of individuals, I wouldn't be able to do anything," said Major Burrell. "It's all about trying to take care of my people and they take care of both the mission and me."

Captain Leahy, 31st CPTS Financial Analysis Flight Commander, led USAFE with the lowest interest-penalty payments in the command - a 65 percent decrease from fiscal year 2007. He was also selected twice as the 31st CPTS and 31st FW WSA Company Grade Officer of the quarter. In his off-duty time, he completed nine professional education credits and earned a 3.8 GPA on several Master's program courses.

"Captain Leahy is one of the strongest leaders I have ever met," said Maj. Burrell. "He easily corrals his folks behind him with his technical and leadership skills."

For Captain Leahy, it's the people he works with who he credits for his success.

"It's all about taking care of the people who work for you, if you provide them with the tools and support they need to get the job done, then unit success is a given," he said. "This award is a direct result of the outstanding work they do."

Ms. Levi, 31st CPTS budget analyst, has dedicated more than 16 years to the finance office. She manages 75 percent of the wing budget and was key to the overall success of the $610 million Aviano 2000 Program - the largest construction program in DoD. She also volunteered in two local hospitals and routinely served as a translator for squadron Airmen.

"The key is that I like my job," said Ms. Levi. "I have a great team working with me and good support from my management."

Ms. Levi credits her mother and father for her success.

"My father and my mother were a big part of this," she said. "They worked on base for over 30 years, and transmitted a positive example for me."

Major Burrell said he finds it reassuring to have someone who has the continuity and dependability he can rely on.

"Monica has the greatest attitude," he said. "Because of her continuity and expertise, she's our go to person in the office whenever we have a question."

The Air Force level CPTS awards will be announced mid-January.