ALCOAST 048/26 - FEB 2026 PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION (PIE) UNIT AND INDIVIDUAL AWARD RECOGNITION

R 091132Z FEB 26   MID320018526998U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 048/26
SSIC 5350
SUBJ: PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION (PIE) UNIT AND INDIVIDUAL AWARD
RECOGNITION
1. The Coast Guard (CG) Partnership in Education (PIE) Program
establishes partnerships in communities across the country between
CG units and schools to enhance the well-being, academic
achievement, and career development of students.
2. In addition to helping develop the civilian and military
workforce of tomorrow, the PIE Program contributes to improving
workforce engagement and morale as well as strengthening community
relations.
3. Command-sponsored, volunteer-driven, and partnership-based
participation in the PIE Program is above and beyond a unit's
mission. Led by volunteer PIE Coordinators who engage approximately
2,000 CG volunteers at over 200 participating CG units across the
country, the Program reflects the Coast Guard's values of honor,
respect, and devotion to duty, as well as devotion to youth,
community, and country.
4. For the 2024 - 2025 school year, the CG is pleased to bestow 2025
PIE Awards to the units and individuals referenced below:
    a. BEST UNIT PARTNERSHIP AWARD (for units with up to 100
personnel): CG BASE BORINQUEN; CDR Thomas G. Kai, Commanding
Officer; LT Julius J. Oden, PIE Coordinator.
    b. BEST UNIT PARTNERSHIP AWARD (for units with more than 100
personnel): CG SECTOR KEY WEST; CAPT Joshua M. Empen, Sector
Commander; YN2 Robert C. Cardosa and YN1 Christian J. Cruz Tavarez,
PIE Coordinators.
    c. BEST COLLABORATIVE UNIT AWARD (for units with up to 100
personnel): CG AIR STATION PORT ANGELES; CDR Kelly L. Higgins,
Commanding Officer; LT Elizabeth C. Miller and LCDR John W. Schultz,
PIE Coordinators.
    d. BEST COLLABORATIVE UNIT AWARD (for units with more than 100
personnel): CG SECTOR HOUSTON-GALVESTON; CAPT Nicole D. Rodriguez,
Sector Commander; ENS Thomas D. Unger, PIE Coordinator.
    e. SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE AWARD: CRYSTAL B. ASTRELLA, PIE
Coordinator, CG Surface Forces Logistics Center; CAPT Andrew T.
Pecora, Commander.
    f. PIE COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR: YN1 TSHAMALA T. HUPPRICH, PIE
Coordinator, CG National Pollution Funds Center; Mr. William Carter,
Director (Acting).
5. To learn more about the accomplishments of the units and
individuals recognized, visit:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/Partnership-in-Education
-Program/

6. I applaud all CG units that participate in the PIE Program, all
CG units and individuals nominated for a PIE award, and
the six award winners. The PIE Awards Nominations Review Panel was
led by CAPT Carrie A. Wolfe, CG-WFSC and included CDR Gretal G.
Kinney, CG Personnel Service Center, and Mr. Colin B Maccines,
CG Accessions Service Center.
7. POC: COMDT (CG-00H), Mr. Edward Stoker, Edward.A.Stoker@uscg.mil,
(206) 836-2856.
8. Mr. Scott Lanum, Director, Civil Rights Directorate (CG-00H),
sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.