In February, the Department of War (DoW) celebrated its most dedicated and innovative travel professionals at the Excellence in Practice Awards ceremony as part of the annual GovTravels symposium. The awards recognize individuals and teams whose exceptional efforts have enhanced operational readiness, improved financial accountability, and supported the Department’s global mission. This year's winners have set new standards for excellence, delivering remarkable results that strengthen the entire force. The Department extends its sincere congratulations and gratitude to all the winners. Read more about their accomplishments below.
Champion Award: Mrs. Kimberly Hipp
This year’s Champion Award was presented to Mrs. Kimberly Hipp for her exceptional leadership as a Lead Defense Travel Administrator. Selected from a competitive field of over 3,100 administrators, Mrs. Hipp distinguished herself through her unwavering support for 25,000 travelers, processing 500 outstanding vouchers to significantly improve unit readiness and financial accountability.
Her most notable achievement was the validation of over $900,000 in traveler debt and the implementation of a new, highly effective training program. These efforts combined to return an incredible $1.8 million to the U.S. government, showcasing her profound impact on travel compliance and operational efficiency.
Premier Award: Ms. Sherry Lanham
From a pool of over 2,000 Agency Program Coordinators, Ms. Sherry Lanham earned the Premier Award for her exemplary management of the Government Travel Charge Card program. Supporting the globally dispersed U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, Ms. Lanham implemented creative solutions and innovative training that were instrumental in preventing costly delinquencies and eliminating payment disruptions for service members.
Her proactive work ensured that Marines could maintain critical mission focus without the burden of financial distractions, setting a new benchmark for fiscal responsibility and its direct link to operational readiness.
Paramount Award: Ms. Jennifer Washington
Among a field of over 1,750 Compliance Tool Administrators, Ms. Jennifer Washington was presented with this year’s Paramount Award for her exceptional contributions to accountability. Achieving a perfect 100% correction rate on travel claims, she successfully recovered over $88,000 in improper payments.
Furthermore, her targeted training initiatives reached 250 employees and slashed repeat violations by 22%. The reports she developed became the gold standard for leadership decisions and audit preparations. Ms. Washington’s work has significantly enhanced accountability and safeguarded government resources, embodying the very spirit of the award.
Elite Award: Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Travel Support Office
This year’s Elite Award, honoring top local support from a field of nearly 2,300 teams, was presented to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Travel Support Office. Represented by Ms. Theresa Mormile and Ms. Cecilie Belleville, this team was recognized for developing game-changing tools that save time and reduce costs.
Their innovations have since been adopted as best practices by other commands. Through a systematic approach to communication and proactive customer service, the team has significantly reduced common travel errors and processing delays. By ensuring travelers receive immediate and effective support, they enable personnel to remain focused on their core mission, setting a new standard for excellence.
Icon Award: Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
The prestigious Icon Award, recognizing the highest level of travel guidance among the Unified Combatant Commands, was presented to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The team, represented by Mr. Noel Buenaobra, Ms. Elvira Francis, Mr. Nicholas DeWeaver, Mr. Tai Adams, and Mr. Dwayne Miller, developed comprehensive resources to streamline highly complex travel scenarios.
Their work includes a DTS Quick Reference guide and specialized MEDEVAC processing guides that have eliminated confusion around international requirements. This proactive training and clear communication have prevented costly errors and improved audit readiness, ensuring that complex operations maintain full compliance while supporting the sacred mission of bringing our nation's heroes home.
Look out for the next nomination period, celebrating FY26 accomplishments, opening in late summer 2026.