ALCOAST 212/21 - JUN 2021 2020 JOHN J. JASKOT GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (GAO) OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT

R 081353Z JUN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 212/21
SSIC 1738
SUBJ: 2020 JOHN J. JASKOT GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (GAO)
OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 281317Z APR 21/ALCOAST 163/21
1. The Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs (CG-0921)
is pleased to announce and congratulate Mrs. Feba Thomas, Atlantic
Area GAO, is the awardee of the 2020 “John J. Jaskot Governmental
Affairs Officer of the Year Award.” This prestigious annual award
recognizes Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian, and Auxiliary
members who have excelled in executing GAO responsibilities during
the previous calendar year.
2. Per REF (A), the award is named in honor of CDR John J. (J.J.)
Jaskot (1954-2020). CDR Jaskot graduated from the Coast Guard
Academy in 1976 and proudly served on active duty for 20 years with
service afloat, as a maritime attorney, two tours in Congressional
Affairs, as well as a deployment to the Middle East during the
Persian Gulf War, earning the Combat Action Ribbon. CDR Jaskot’s
final tour was as the Coast Guard’s Liaison to the U.S. Senate,
where he set the standard for representing the Coast Guard to the
U.S. Congress. After his retirement in 1996, he remained active in
the Congressional Affairs Alumni network serving as a good friend
and mentor to countless personnel assigned to Coast Guard
Congressional Affairs.
3. Mrs. Thomas has over 21 years of service to the Coast Guard
Governmental Affairs community and continually exceeds expectations
and standards to advance the Coast Guard’s strategic initiatives
and goals. Her dedication to enhance Coast Guard relationships and
partnerships with local, regional, and national partners and
Congressional and governmental stakeholders is unmatched. Among her
many accomplishments in 2020, Mrs. Thomas maximized virtual and
modified in-person engagement opportunities including the 2020
Atlantic Area change of command, multiple cutter changes of command,
major cutter changes in homeports, and a National Security Cutter
commissioning. She developed the first-ever 90-day strategic
communications plan which resulted in 63 engagement and out-reach
efforts to introduce the new Area Commander to key stakeholders,
fostering immediate collaboration to help advance Coast Guard
mission objectives. She spearheaded development of an engagement
tracking system that captured over 500 engagements, allowing
greater coordination and deconflicting of senior leadership
engagements, as well as data collection and post-engagement
analysis to maximize resource allocation. In the most active
hurricane season on record, Mrs. Thomas coordinated hurricane-
related briefs and engagements between the Atlantic Area Commander
and more than 40 Governors, Senators, Representatives, and other
officials. Her diligence and outstanding, ceaseless efforts to
convey the value of the Coast Guard to Congressional and
governmental entities at all levels make her highly deserving
of this award.
4. COMDT (CG-0921) received several high-quality nomination
packages and commends all those who took the time to acknowledge
and nominate the excellent GAOs we have throughout the Coast Guard.
The other nominees for the 2020 award are:
   a. CDR Reyna McGrail, D8.
   b. LCDR Scott Carr, PAC AREA.
   c. LTJG Liesl Olson, Sector San Diego.
   d. CWO Timothy Tamargo, Training Center Cape May.
5. POC: Questions regarding the John J. Jaskot Governmental Affairs
Officer of the Year Award may be directed to Michele Zauche,
COMDT (CG-0921), at: Michele.R.Zauche@uscg.mil.
6. RDML M. W. Raymond, Acting, Director for Governmental and Public
Affairs (CG-092), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.