ALCOAST 317/24 - AUG 2024 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2023 CDR JOHN P. DAILEY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING WITHIN THE C4IT COMMUNITY

R 201123Z AUG 24   MID120001355896U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 317/24
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2023 CDR JOHN P. DAILEY AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING WITHIN THE C4IT COMMUNITY
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 141014Z MAY 24/ALCOAST 217/24
1. I am pleased to announce LCDR Carl Stokes, CG CYBER-NOSC, and
Mr. Robert McDermott, C5ISC-ESD, as the active duty and civilian
recipients of the 2023 CDR John P. Dailey Award.
    a. LCDR Carl Stokes is assigned to the Coast Guard CYBER Command
- Network Operations and Security Center (NOSC). Serving as the
NOSC Branch Chief LCDR Stokes coordinated the once in a decade
transition of more than 1,300 telecommunication circuits to a
new service provider. He coordinated operational monitoring and
deconfliction of the service internet transition from Verizon
to AT&T and led procedural development meetings with the C5ISC
engineering team to onboard staff and establish key milestones
for a multimillion-dollar contract. Going above and beyond, he
also spearheaded the creation of back-end engineering processes
to support collaboration between AT&T, IMS, C5ISC, and CGCYBER
entities that provided visibility into more than 400 Command Center
and field support unit process migrations. LCDR Stokes's leadership
was instrumental in overseeing response efforts to four major
hurricanes and established an improved planning and lessons learned
process that strengthened collaboration with LANTAREA staff and
operational commanders. In addition to his outstanding leadership,
LCDR Stokes has established himself as a trusted mentor for
enlisted members and junior officers alike. He created a
professional development program for junior officers that enabled
site visits to CG operational field units as well as DoD and
Intelligence community sites. This was critical in developing
well-rounded junior officers ready to better serve in leadership
positions across the CG. LCDR Stokes chaired the inaugural CYBER
Academy Panel that interviewed and mentored cadets as part of the
capstone project and Coast Guard Academy's collegiate CYBER team.
He provided support, guidance, and leadership to a member going
through the gender transition process, setting the standard for
a fair and inclusive workplace throughout CGCYBER. LCDR Stokes
has consistently exemplified the Coast Guard Core Values and is
an invaluable leader within the C5I community through his
demonstrated leadership, continued advocacy, and gold-standard
mentorship for junior members.
    b. Mr. Robert McDermott is assigned to the Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center
(C5ISC) - Engineering Services Division (C5ISC-ESD). Serving as
the Sensors and Electronics Branch Deputy he led 47 highly skilled
engineers that provided electrical and system engineering expertise
for over 80 distinct systems that supported operations at every
Coast Guard Command Center, Vessel Traffic Center, and afloat
asset. Mr. McDermott oversaw 102 Coast Guard-wide configuration
changes that brought about new operational capabilities, resolved
systemic obsolescent support issues, and ensured sustained
cybersecurity protection from adversaries. He selflessly volunteered
to assume additional responsibilities as the primary Convening
Authority for all system engineering technical reviews related
to sensors and electronic systems. In this role, he mentored
junior convening authorities, provided strategic direction,
and oversaw 143 technical reviews that ensured new capabilities
had a robust lifecycle support structure in-place. Mr. McDermott
also dedicated himself to the development of junior personnel.
He fostered the development of a robust training plan for C5ISC
engineers that taught fundamental system engineering principles
and best practices, enabling newly reported members to quickly
acclimate to highly technical job responsibilities. Mr. McDermott
championed the development of a comprehensive guide on tools,
resources, hiring avenues, and recruitment incentives that
enhanced a hiring managers ability to recruit college interns
and recent graduates. This was instrumental in combating a
severe workforce deficiency being felt across the C5I community.
He also worked tirelessly to establish a comprehensive internship
program within the C5ISC where he successfully onboarded and
personally mentored 4 interns through training and acclimation
to a military organization. As a direct result of his efforts,
3 of the interns transitioned into full-time government positions.
Mr. McDermott is a consummate professional whose technical
expertise, infectious leadership, and passion for developing
others are invaluable to the C5I community.
2. This award was established in honor of CDR John P. Dailey,
whose distinguished Coast Guard career symbolized the highest
standards of excellence in leadership, professionalism, and
mentorship. The award is presented annually to one military
and one civilian Coast Guard employee. The 2023 winners were
chosen through a review process that included screening and
final selection by a board of senior officers, civilians, and
enlisted leaders.
3. LCDR Stokes and Mr. McDermott continue the tradition of
outstanding leadership and mentoring exemplified by
CDR John P. Dailey. I congratulate and commend them for their
Service to the Nation, Duty to People, and Commitment to
Excellence. I am truly impressed by the superior quality of
leadership and mentorship exhibited by all those nominated for
this prestigious award. We have many dedicated and capable
individuals in our C4IT community.
4. A formal award recognition will be presented at a ceremony
at Coast Guard Headquarters during the 2024 C5I Centralized
Annual Training (C-CAT) hosted by the Assistant Commandant for
C4 & IT in September 2024. Travel expenses for each award
recipient and one guest will be funded by COMDT (CG-6).
5. I also take great pleasure in recognizing the following
nominees for their strong performance and continued leadership
in the C4IT community:
    a. CDR Brian Siemiatkowski, C5ISC
    b. CDR Josh Smith, COMDT (CG-761)
    c. CDR Jeremy Pichette, COMDT (CG-688)
    d. CDR Grant Wyman, USCGA
    e. LCDR Anthony Foss, COMDT (CG-6) EA
    f. LT Stephen Martin, PATFORSWA
    g. CWO Elisa Mercado, CGC HAMILTON
    h. Mr. Willie Davis, COMDT (CG-9333)
6. Questions regarding the CDR John P. Dailey Award may be
directed to LCDR Anthony Foss, Executive Assistant to
COMDT (CG-6) at 202-475-3553 or Anthony.J.Foss2@uscg.mil.
7. RDML Russell E. Dash, Assistant Commandant for Command,
Control, Communications, Computers, and Information Technology
(CG-6), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.