AFRC presents Civil Engineer Awards to 507th CES members

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Melba Koch
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 507th Civil Engineer Squadron made its mark during the AFRC 2007 Civil Engineer Annual Award selections, winning in six of the categories. 

Senior Master Sgt. Jodie Zollo received the 2007 Chief Master Sergeant Larry R. Daniels Award. Zollo deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base for four months in support of OIF. As senior controller she flawlessly tracked location and status of 184-person team, dispatched/ controlled damage assessment sweeps, prioritized KRAB post-attack
recovery efforts, tasked repair teams and tracked completion. 

Chief Master Sgt. Gary Bourisaw received the 2007 Major General Joseph A Ahearn Enlisted Leadership Award. Bourisaw is a seasoned warrior who deployed 125 days to Kirkuk Regional Air Base. He served as the civil engineer manager for 185 troops from 23 units; molded into single superb Civil Engineer fighting team. He led a 94-person
operations flight and completed 3,000 work orders. He supervised 75 percent of the sewage plant expansion and expertly managed/responsible for more than $30 million in Air Force assets at Kirkuk; all secure and accounted for. 

Wendy Ellyson received the 2007 Outstanding Civil Engineer Manager of the Year Award, in the ARC Civilian Technician Category. Wendy was an outstanding leader who stepped into the gap when 507th CES leadership deployed to Iraq for a four-month AEF tour. She assumed duties of the senior ART, seamlessly integrated both offices into one cohesive functional unit. She also developed a comprehensive squadron training plan, ensuring 300-plus training items and wing objectives were met timely. 

Lt. Col. Ernest Goodman received the Major General L. Dean Fox Award. He served as commander of the AEF deployment in support of OIF, KRAB. Under his leadership, the 506 ECES completed base infrastructure projects that enhanced mission capabilities. He designed/executed $1.5M projects to relocate 506 AEG staff; critical step in transitioning KRAB back to IAF. 

Tech. Sgt. Deric Nixon received the Major General Eugene A. Lupia Award in the Military Technician Category. Nixon also deployed to Kirkuk RAB, serving as NCOIC of the KRAB airfield lighting team; entrusted with $660K in assets. He rewired 13 electrical panels
in the Air Force modular quarters, eliminating a safety hazard for more than 900 KRAB Airmen. He was coined by the Command Chief for after hours KRAB support. 

Mr. Joseph Wade received the Outstanding Civil Engineer Manager of the Year Award in the ARC Civilian Manager Category. He serves as the Wing Commander's right-hand man on all facility matters for the 507th ARW. He diligently directed all renovation and modernization projects for 40 aging and heavily used support facilities.