FORT PICKETT, Va. — The Virginia Army National Guard Construction and Facility Management Office recently received both the regional and national Fred Aron Award for Excellence in Facilities Programs for Fiscal Year 20 from the National Guard Bureau. The Fred Aron award is presented to states or territories to recognize their work based on construction, resource management, strategic plans and education, facilities management, energy management and real estate.
“Given the pandemic, the surge in funding, and an already complex mission set, this recognition is a testament to the extraordinary folks in Virginia Facilities Management, the Department of Public Works, and the State Military Reservation that make up the facilities team and the tireless folks in VAFA and the United States Property and Fiscal Office shops that support the facilities Cooperative Agreement,” said Charlton Dunn, Virginia National Guard construction and facilities management officer.
Particularly impressive is the fact the office executed more than $72 million of funding in FY20, which is significantly more than the prior year funding of $46.5 million, a 54% increase, and the last three-year average of $44.7 million, according to Dunn.
“This significant increase in workload, without equivalent growth in staff, was successfully executed despite the onset of the COVID pandemic, remote work, facility COVID-response plans and funding,” he said.
The Fred Aron Award rates the performance of the 54 states and territories in eight areas selected by the branch and the division chiefs. The award is named for the longest serving past installations division chief, who served in that position as both military and civilian for 21 years from 1971-1992. The accuracy, effectiveness and timeliness of submissions are considered for many of these scores. For others, prudent execution of Federal funding in program execution is considered. Scores are reported by the subject-matter experts across the directorate based on performance in FY20.
The regional awards are given to the highest performing state in each of the seven regions in eight areas selected by the branches, the division chiefs, and the G9 chief. The accuracy, effectiveness and timeliness of submissions are considered for many of these scores. For others, prudent execution of Federal funding in program execution is considered. Scores are reported by the subject-matter experts across the Division based on performance in FY20.