ALCOAST 149/20 - APR 2020 2020 FEDERAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN COUNCIL (FAPAC) UNIFORMED SERVICES AWARD WINNERS

R 230732 APR 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 149/20
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: 2020 FEDERAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN COUNCIL (FAPAC) UNIFORMED SERVICES AWARD WINNERS
1. I am honored to announce and congratulate Lieutenant Commander Rhianna Macon, Coast
Guard Personnel Service Center; Lieutenant John Santorum, Office of International and
Domestic Port Security; and Chief Petty Officer Jacinto Sabangan, Air Station Kodiak,
as the Service's recipients of the 2020 Federal Asian Pacific American Council Uniformed
Services Award.
2. As the Senior Response Ashore Assignment Officer, LCDR Macon manages over 1,000
Response Ashore operational and staff billets. She ensures that units have the level
of staff resources needed for successful mission execution while balancing competing
service needs, unit requirements, and officer career goals. LCDR Macon furthered the
Academy’s strategic goal to cultivate an inclusive environment as a coordinator for
the Coast Guard Academy (CGA) Minority Outreach Team. This initiative resulted in the
graduation and commissioning of 34 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) officers
in 2019, the highest number in CGA history.
3. LT Santorum is cited for his work as a volunteer CGA Admissions Partner and Student
Mentor, and College Student Pre-Commissioning Ambassador. Additionally, he serves as
the President of the FAPAC – USCG Chapter. Spearheading the FAPAC mentorship program
for Asian Pacific American Council cadets from the Class of 2019, he solidified a
collaborative relationship between the two organizations and developed an important
support system for new officers. He creates and maintains a positive workplace environment
by assisting others, creating and promoting unit morale events, and demonstrating an
exceptional level of concern for his team's well-being.
4. Chief Sabangan’s passion for mentorship and innovation elevates himself and the
workforce. In an effort to help junior petty officers advance, he organized a Servicewide
Examination study group, which helped over 60 members achieve professional development
milestones. He was also responsible for orchestrating three separate division morale
events, increasing esprit de corps across the entire division. Chief Sabangan volunteers
as a mentor in the community, serving as a coach for the Kodiak High School Football Team,
which is largely composed of AAPI players. His unparalleled work ethic, strong values,
and personnel leadership have had a significant impact on the players and their community.
5. I commend LCDR Macon, LT Santorum, and Chief Sabangan for their outstanding contributions,
achievements, and exemplary service. In light of public health guidance requiring social
distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, FAPAC will recognize the award winners during AAPI
Heritage Month in May through featured videos and information on their website as well as
in their newsletter and on other media platforms.
6. Civil Rights awards programs help maximize the Coast Guard's overall mission effectiveness
through recognition of members' accomplishments and contributions to civil rights and
equal opportunity in minority communities and Partnership in Education (PIE) programs.
Learn more about the USCG civil rights vision, mission, awards programs, and CG PIE
at: https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/.
7. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.