ALCOAST 185/24 - APR 2024 2023 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT

R 251111Z APR 24 MID600117381311U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 185/24
SSIC 1754
SUBJ: 2023 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
RECIPIENT
1. This ALCOAST announces Mrs. Courtney Burgess, ombudsman for
Sector Corpus Christi TX, is the recipient of the 2023 Wanda
Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year Award.
2. Mrs. Burgess is deeply committed to supporting CG members and
their families. She established a strong, positive relationship with
the Air Station Ombudsman, Chaplain, Chief Petty Officer Association
(CPOA), Wardroom, and Spouse's Club. Their collective efforts
resulted in $1,400 of school supplies for children of junior petty
officers, 80 children coming together from the Sector and Air
Station to celebrate Halloween, 23 Coast Guard children across the
Sector area of responsibility (AOR) receiving Christmas Gifts, 147
hospitalized children within the community receiving Christmas
Gifts, and new families being afforded the resources to alleviate
the stress and uncertainty that comes with being new parents.
3. The following District-level recipients and nominees also deserve
special recognition for their particularly noteworthy
accomplishments:
    a. District One, Mrs. Alexandra Rockwell, Sector Field Office
Southwest Harbor, ANT Southwest Harbor, Station Southwest Harbor,
CGC BRIDLE, and ESD Southwest Harbor;
    b. District Five, Mrs. Caroline Schultz, TRACEN Cape May,
CGC ANGELA MCSHAN, CGC ROLLIN FRITCH, CGC LAWRENCE LAWSON, and
ANT Cape May;
    c. District Seven, Mrs. Kathleen Swift-Papas, Sector Key West;
    d. District Nine, Mrs. Amanda Hoover, Sector Northern Great Lakes
(Sault Ste. Marie);
    e. District Eleven, Mrs. Tia Green, Sector Humboldt Bay, Station
Humboldt Bay, Station Noya River, CG ANT Humboldt Bay, and
CGC BARRACUDA (WPB 87301);
    f. District Thirteen, Mrs. Amanda Heck, CGC ALERT; and
    g. District Seventeen, Mrs. Valerie Buckner, CGC ALEX HALEY.
4. The selection panel members were:
    a. MCPO-CGR Timothy Beard;
    b. MCPO Charlie Salls, COMDT (CG-00B);
    c. MCPO Lucas Pullen, PACAREA; and
    d. Mrs. Carol Jones, Ombudsman-at-Large.
5. I applaud all the nominees for their remarkable achievements, and
I extend my appreciation to their Commanding Officers for their
efforts in submitting deserving nominations. I encourage all leaders
to recognize the contributions of their ombudsmen by submitting
nominations for the 2024 Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year
Award next year. The outstanding professionalism demonstrated by the
2023 nominees in fulfilling their duties is truly commendable. Bravo
Zulu for a job well done!
6. COMDT (CG-1K12) Point of contact for the Coast Guard Ombudsman
Program is Ms. Christine Degraw at Christine.M.Degraw@uscg.mil.
7. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety, and
Work-Life (CG-1K), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.