ALCOAST 248/19 - JUL 2019, 2019 CAPTAIN EDWARD R. WILLIAMS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY RECIPIENT

R 301434 JUL 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-12//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N01640//
ALCOAST 248/19
COMDTNOTE 1640
SUBJ:  2019 CAPTAIN EDWARD R. WILLIAMS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY RECIPIENT
1. I am pleased to announce that Lieutenant Commander Roberto Concepcion, currently
assigned to the CG's Armed Deployable Specialized Forces (CG-7213), is
the recipient of the 2019 Captain Edward R. Williams Award for Excellence in
Diversity. The award will be presented on 7 August 2019 during the National Naval
Officers Association's Annual (NNOA) Leadership, Professional Development and Training
Symposium in San Diego, CA.
2. The Captain Edward R. Williams Award for Excellence in Diversity was established to
recognize a Coast Guard Officer or Chief Warrant Officer (active or reserve) who has
been most supportive of initiatives to achieve, value, and promote diversity in the
Coast Guard.
3. LCDR Concepcion currently serves as the MSST/K9 Program Manager. As a champion of
diversity, he mentored 20 prospective College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI)
and CG officer applicants. He facilitated tours of Sector San Juan and provided counsel
for application packages and interviews leading to two top talented candidates being selected
from Recruiting Office San Juan. LCDR Concepcion provided significant input into Coast Guard
minority recruiting efforts and policies. Leveraging his prior Coast Guard Recruiting Command
(CGRC) experience, he provided best practices for recruiting initiatives supporting Officer
Programs, including the CSPI program. To attract diverse talent to the Coast Guard,
LCDR Concepcion participated with several youth programs that focus on training and
mentoring young men between 6th and 12thgrade on leadership, personal development,
academic achievement, and college/career preparation. He provided critical feedback into
the Memorandum of Understanding utilized by 16 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)
Executive Champion Action Teams that allow Coast Guard Ambassadors to effectively recruit at
MSIs. This work will be leveraged as the Coast Guard opens Recruiting Office Jackson, Mississippi,
in the summer of 2019, enabling greater exposure of the CSPI Program in this area. As an
advocate for inclusion, LCDR Concepcion drafted policy letters supporting a more inclusive
Coast Guard workforce. LCDR Concepcion’s leadership in multiple affinity groups promoted diversity
and inclusion in the Coast Guard. He identified the Coast Guard's first African American Marine
Engineer Diving Officer and ensured this officer was recognized by the Coast Guard historian’s
office and COMDT (CG-092) as a diversity milestone. LCDR Concepcion’s desire to create
a more diverse and inclusive Coast Guard, and his passion in mentoring others while enhancing
recruitment and retention efforts, made him the premier candidate for this recognition.
4. I extend my hearty congratulations to all of the nominees for the 2019 Captain Edward R.
Williams Award for Excellence in Diversity. Each nominee demonstrated leadership and
commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in building the 21st Century Coast Guard
workforce:
   A. CAPT Lexia Littlejohn
   B. CDR Gregory Duncan
   C. LCDR Rhianna Macon
   D. LCDR Hoon Park
   E. LCDR Lindsey Seniuk
   F. LT Cesar Ruelas
   G. LT Victoria Shreffler
   H. LT Kristi Sloane
5. The POC from COMDT (CG-127) is CWO Jadell Brown at Jadell.S.Brown@uscg.mil, 202-475-5247.
6. Ms. Michelle R. Godfrey, Director of Civilian Human Resources, Diversity, and
Leadership, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.