The Partnership for Public Service has announced finalists for the 2013 Service to America Medals that recognize excellence in federal service, in conjunction with last week’s Public Employee Recognition Week.
The awards recognize several categories, including management excellence. Management finalists include Margaret Focarino (and team), commissioner for patents at the Patent and Trademark Office, recognized for leading reforms that improved the speed and quality of patent exams and approvals.
Also recognized are Kevin Geiss, deputy assistant for energy at the Department of the Air Force, for championing safe alternative fuel use in combat and support missions; Harry Haskins (and team), deputy associate administrator for investment at the Small Business Administration, for revitalizing a small business investment program to help entrepreneurs; and, Claire Votaw, director of project services office for the Virginia Department of State, for developing a shared IT network for US embassies and federal agencies operating overseas that saved money and reduced duplication.