NSWC PCD Public Affairs Team Wins Thompson-Ravitz Award
Chief of Navy Information (CHINFO) Rear Adm. Dawn Cutler announced the results of the 2013 Thompson-Ravitz (T-R) Awards for Excellence in Navy Public Affairs (PA) Aug. 4.
“These awards recognize the most exceptional performance by in¬dividuals and public affairs teams throughout the Navy and reflect the quality of Navy Public Affairs,” said Cutler. “Regardless of the category, these winners truly distinguished themselves among their peers in 2013.”
“NAVSEA public affairs officers captured an amazing 6 of the 11 awards, a record achievement,” said Vice Adm. Willy Hilarides, NAV¬SEA Commander. “It’s proof positive that our organization has some of the best communicators and strategic thinkers in the Navy and DoD.”
Congratulations to Troy Clarke and NSWC Corona, their fifth straight Thompson-Ravitz, Jacqui Barker, Jeff Prater, and Daniel Broadstreet at NSWC Panama City, Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Is¬land’s Jill Jester, and the 00D team of James Slater, Matt Leonard, Guy Schein, Alan Baribeau, Brie Lang, Brian Leshak, Cindy Snipes, Colleen O’Rourke, Lt. Kurt Larson, Chris Johnson, and Dale Eng for truly out¬standing work.
The awards bear the names of Rear Adm. William Thompson, the first designated public affairs officer selected for flag rank and first PAO to be the Chief of Information (CHINFO), and Rear Admiral Robert Ravitz, a former director of the Naval Reserve public affairs program and special assistant to the CHINFO. These two icons in the public affairs commu¬nity had a major role in establishing the high standards and tradition of professional expertise, leadership and excellence that guide public affairs actions today.
Panama City’s Public Affairs Officer Jeff Prater said this year’s sub¬mission required his team to, “go above and beyond for the sake of expe¬dient coverage.
“After winning the Internal Communications award in 2009 and the Community Outreach in 2010, we specifically tried to win for crisis com¬munication reporting,” said Prater.
Strategic Communications Specialist Jacqui Barker explained that, “It was difficult for us because, fortunately for the command, the vast major¬ity of what we do is carefully thought out and planned. We don’t often operate in a crisis mode and we just don’t have that many opportunities to communicate on a crisis.”
Dan Broadstreet who was the lead reporter for the coverage was pleased and remarked, “We made the most of it, and with a lead like ‘Dragonmasters Search and Rescue,’ our coverage was a strong submis¬sion.”
The team received a personal note from Don McCormack, Technical Director for NSWC/NUWC saying, “Congratulations. Thank you for all you do and how well you do it!”