WASHINGTON — The National Image, Inc., Meritorious Service Award was presented to two civilian employees from U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and one Coast Guard servicemember from Coast Guard Sector New York at the IMAGE 45th National Training Program Sept. 14 in Albuquerque, N.M.
Mr. Alvin Dalmida, Jr., currently serves as program manager and tactical communication architect in the Office of Enterprise Infrastructure Management, providing financial management discipline and strategic foresight in guiding and shaping the Coast Guard's tactical operations. He supports the service's global missions while working closely with military academies and universities to create career awareness and opportunities to recruit minority students for civilian and military service within the Coast Guard. Dalmida's mentorship of high school students resulted in Coast Guard Academy appointments for each of his students. His volunteer service in the Washington, D.C., metro area and the establishment of a non-profit foundation in the U.S. Virgin Islands dedicated to academic advancement and economic development has opened doors for students and other community members.
Mr. Damien Terry provides inspirational leadership and superior execution of duties as the diversity outreach manager for the Coast Guard. He was instrumental in heightening awareness of the Coast Guard's scholarship program and STEM careers to more than 18,000 students in underserved communities across the nation. He provided career-enhancing professional development and networking opportunities with nationally-recognized affinity organizations to more than 165 Coast Guard women and minority members. Terry single-handedly organized the Office of Personnel Management's 2016 Diversity and Inclusion Collaboration and Innovation Summit, a power workshop that increased diversity and inclusion initiatives across the federal workforce.
Cdr. Nicolette Vaughan is the chief of prevention and incident commander for Sector New York and provides exceptional guidance and emphasis on professional development to her staff of more than 200 military and civilian employees. Vaughan successfully facilitated the selection of two staff members for graduate school opportunities, promoted five well-deserving members and ensured flexible schedules for civilian employees who suffered severe job-related injuries. She demonstrated effective leadership by re-establishing senior management team meetings to increase departmental collaboration and operational coordination. A consummate professional, Vaughan coordinated high-risk missions, including the seizure of cocaine valued at $4 million and the arrest of individuals involved in human smuggling.
More information on Coast Guard civil rights programs can be found at https://www.uscg.mil/civilrights/OutreachPrograms.asp.
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