99th Contracting squadron captures three Air Combat Command-level awards Published March 5, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Two members and a team from the 99th Contracting Squadron have been selected top in Air Combat Command in their functional area. The winners were selected as the Outstanding Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, the Outstanding Company Grade Officer of the Year and the Contracting Team of the Year. "I am proud of our Airmen," said Lt. Col. Kurt Bergo, the 99th Contracting Squadron commander. "Innovation, dedication and team work are the mantras of the our squadron and our Airmen reflect this daily" Staff Sgt. Matthew Zavala, winner of the Outstanding NCO of the Year award, oversaw several mission requirements which include the $750,000 Emergency Operations Center renovation, multiple USAF Warfare Center requirements, all while rebuilding the squadron's UDM program. "I'm very fortunate in many ways," Sergeant Zavala said. "I have a loving wife at home that tells me every day that she appreciates me and is extremely proud of me and leadership that not only gives me career opportunities that will make me better, but believes that I will succeed and an outstanding team backing me up each and every day. Without them I wouldn't be the contracting specialist I am today." Captain Karin Werner will be awarded the Outstanding Company Grade Officer of the Year award. She simultaneously held three vital leadership roles on separate flight teams also managing a 40 percent manned flight. Among her many accomplishments, she led the squadron to a record breaking $176 million end-of-fiscal-year; completing 800 transactions valued at more than $30 million. The Government-Wide Purchase Card team will receive an award for their recognition as ACC's top contracting team. This team was responsible for $35 million in purchases supporting 600 cardholders. They also returned over $296,000 in rebates in fiscal year 2008 alone; which was a $37,000 increase from the previous year. "The accomplishments of our award winners are a direct reflection of our incredible team at the 99th CONS," said Senior Master Sgt. Bradley Smith, the 99th CONS superintendant and first sergeant. "They, along with the rest of our squadron, transcend their capabilities everyday to support Nellis' mission. Their dedication is unmatched and these awards are proof of that." The winners will receive their award in a ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Va. March 25. The Air Force level functional awards will be released the same week as the ceremony.
