(Washington D.C.) Today, the Secret Service is proud to announce that two employees are recipients of the "One DHS" Partnership Award. In a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognized 109 employees with the "One DHS" Partnership Award, which acknowledges an individual or group that substantially contributed to the priorities of the Management Directorate and has demonstrated excellent teamwork and achievement side-by-side with DHS management.
Avis Parker is a Supervisory Human Resource Specialist assigned to the Talent and Employee Acquisition Management Division. She was a member of a large team consisting of staff from 15 DHS components who designed, planned, and hosted the first DHS-wide event specifically focused on recruiting and hiring veterans. The event was attended by approximately 2500 candidates. Over 662 interviews were conducted and as a direct result of the collaborative efforts of this partnership, DHS issued 252 tentative job offers to candidates that progressed to the next phase in the hiring process.
John Pessia is an Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge (ATSAIC) assigned to the James J. Rowley Training Center. ATSAIC Pessia participated in a DHS team which identified the shared difficulty of DHS components finding adequate ranges for firearm qualifications required to maintain a proficient, armed work force. This resulting initiative promoted a more efficient method for DHS law enforcement personnel to receive firearm certification training across the country by establishing a singular DHS contract for the purchase and delivery of self-contained Modular Firing Ranges (MFR). These MFRs can be scaled in size and capability to accommodate DHS law enforcement personnel in numerous locations across the country who are required to complete mandatory firearms training requirements.
The acknowledgement of these employees is a testament to the Secret Service and DHS commitment to building and maintaining strong partnerships, not only with other law enforcement agencies and the private sector, but also within the diversified components of DHS.