Combined Federal Campaign
2003 CFC Heroes
Chief Machinist Mate Surface Warfare/Air Warfare Mitchell E. Bonnette
Naval Station Mayport
CFC of Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia
Chief Bonnette was selected for the second consecutive
year as the military Loaned Executive (LE) of the year for his outstanding performance
as an LE during the 2003 CFC. H has been responsible for the training and mentoring
of CFC coordinators and key workers, representing over 80 accounts with almost
15,000 potential donors. In 2003, he oversaw a division that raised $588,000,
which is a 15% increase over 2002 pledges, and increased participation by more
than 300 donors.
Chief Bonnette demonstrated initiative and imagination throughout the 2003
CFC. He led the development of an Excel spreadsheet that provided accurate and
timely reporting on the campaign status of each of his accounts, which will
be adopted as a standard for all divisions in the 2004 CFC of Northeast Florida/Southeast
Georgia. He served on the 2003 Review Eligibility Committee and on the LFCC
Leadership Awards Committee that selected Leadership awards that enabled the
program to achieve spectacular results and rave reviews from donors. He also
organized and implemented CFC volunteer support to the Sea and Sky Spectacular
that allowed 14 military commands and Federal agencies to raise funds for the
CFC at an event that attracts 25,000 people each year.
He and his family endured the loss of a family member at a very early age and
this has contributed significantly to his wanting to be involved in giving back
to those in the community who have critical needs. Chief Bonnette has been very
active in the local community, volunteering in Little Leagues and Pop Warner
Football in support of his three children Andrew, James, and Caitlin.
Suzan Bowman
Tennessee Valley Authority
Smoky Mountain Region CFC
Suzan Bowman served as the co-chair of the TVA for
four consecutive years and then stepped into the roles of loaned executive and
LFCC Chair. Her leadership and strategies have increased contributions year
after year and the Smoky Mountain CFC was recognized at the 2002 awards ceremony
for having the highest average gift amount in the US. These strategies included
ice cream socials with executive sponsorship and attendance, an online e-Bay
style auction for TVA employees, and food and dessert cook-off events to raise
donations. Suzan also had a personal experience as the campaign co-chair.
When TVA amended the national CFC video to include personal stories of employees
who have been helped by CFC charities. Suzan's niece, who survived kidney cancer,
was one of the featured stories. In her role as LFCC Chair in 2003, she added
members to the committee and invited Federal workers to attend TVA's training
for campaign coordinators and keyworkers. This led to increased knowledge of
each other's campaign strategies and provided an efficient use of campaign resources.
She also led the LFCC team members to jointly sponsor a one-day CFC fair for
charities so their work could be showcased among employees in downtown Knoxville,
which included 2000 CFC video spokesperson Terry Morris as a speaker.
Suzan has served as a local and national officer in the National Management
Association for Federally Employed Women. She has also volunteered with the
Charity Councors D'Elegance and Car Show and Alzheimer's Association of Eastern
Tennessee. She has been recognized as one of the Outstanding young Women in
America in 1987 and received the 1988 Volunteer of the Year for the March of
Dimes, Greater Knoxville Chapter, and the 1998 TVA Women of Distinction Award.
Her hobbies include racing a 911 Supercharged Porsche at various tracks in the
US and Canada and she is a national officer in the Porsche Club of America.
She likes to sew and is learning to play the hammered dulcimer.
Captain Tim Cummings, USAF
Nellis Air Force Base
Southern Nevada CFC
Captain Cummings is an Information Systems Flight
Commander in the 99th Communications Squadron based at the Nellis Air Force
Base in Nevada. He has served as the Campaign Coordinator for the uniformed
segment of the Southern Nevada CFC for the past three years. The culmination
of his efforts is reflected in the CFC 2003 results which is the largest over-goal
achievement in local campaign history - 22% over goal. Captain Cummings had
to "hit the road running" because he returned from Operation Iraqi
Freedom less than two weeks before the 2003 CFC kickoff. He almost single-handedly
trained nearly all of the Campaign coordinators and keyworkers from over 100
separate organizations and distributed all of the campaign materials in that
timeframe. He also set up a communications system that gave him direct contact
with all of his widely-located unites in one of the largest CFC areas in the
country. He generated enthusiasm by through uniquely worded emails, faxes, and
telephone messages that generated more positive responses than ever witnessed
in prior campaigns.
In the past three years, Captain Cummings spent nearly all of his available
off-duty time pursuing ways to make the campaign the best it could be and his
success is evident. The uniformed military employees' goal of $225,000 was easily
surpassed by pledges of over $274,000. The LFCC Co-Chairs accredits the campaign's
success to Captain Cummings' attitude, demeanor, and creativity.
Diane Grant
United States Postal Service
CFC of Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia
Diane Grant served as a CFC Loaned Executive for the
2003 campaign and has been recognized in her local community as the 2003 CFC
Loaned Executive of the Year. This was due to her efforts to increase pledges
by almost $80,000 (131% over 2002 pledges), increase participation from 41%
to 55%, added 366 new Postal Service donors, and raised the average gift by
almost $10 to $151.
She laid the foundation for her success by scheduling training for each of
the 40 plus Activity Coordinators/Keyworkers at a single location. She also
coordinated with senior Postal Service leadership in the Jacksonville area to
attend campaign training. This consolidated training of coordinators, keyworkers,
and senior Postal leadership created a positive environment for the 2003 campaign
and will be adopted by other agencies in the local campaign in 2004.
Ms. Grant has been active in her church ministry for more than 12 years by
participating in outreach programs for the homeless and for abused and battered
spouses. She also has regularly visited low-income family communities and offered
hope, help, and assistance to those in need.
Staff Sargent Catherin Lammon
50th Operations Group
CFC of the Pikes Peak Region
Staff Sergeant Lammon is a noncommissioned officer
with Group Information Management at the 50th Operations Group in the CFC of
the Pikes Peak Region. She managed the campaign by being enthusiastic and highly
interactive while imparting the importance of the CFC from her heart and her
own experiences. She selflessly dedicated her time and energy to help the 50th
Operations Group raise 102% of its contribution goal, with an 80% participation
rate. Returning to active duty after 12 years in the US Air Force Reserve, she
truly understands what caring is all about. Earlier this year she received the
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for volunteering over 726 hours
of community service.
Returning to active duty after 12 years in the United States Air Force, Catherin
truly understands what caring is all about. In her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky
she visits a local nursing home spending time with residents singing, playing
games, and talking about the "good old days". She also represents
the US Air Force while volunteering as a Youth Mentor to an 11 year-old autistic
girl. Catherin donated over 300 hours mentoring this child enhancing her learning
skills, self-confidence, and self-esteem. In addition to these, she has volunteered
her time and energy on three major home rebuilding projects, painting the basements
for elderly and disabled citizens, and serving meals at the Marion House soup
kitchen. Staff Sergeant Lammon is clearly dedicated to her country, community
and the well being of others - demonstrating why she is a CFC Hero.
Robert Lyons
Social Security Administration
CFC of the Massachusetts Bay Area
Bob Lyons worked for the IRS in 1969 when he began
the fundraising campaign at their Massachusetts headquarters, which he reports
had a participation rate of more than 90%. He held that position until 1972
when he was on a work detail in Greensboro, North Carolina, becoming involved
in their CFC. When he returned to Boston in 1982 he chaired the Health &
Human Services campaign which became the first agency to hit the $1 million
mark.
Mr. Lyons' twelve year tenure on the LFCC helped the campaign surpass the $2
million mark. Tireless in his support, he could be counted on to attend and
report campaign activities at LFCC meeting and Greater Boston FEB meetings for
more than a decade. An advocate of CFC cost containment, he planted the seeds
for mergers with neighboring campaigns that will take effect with the 2004 campaign.
A prostate cancer survivor, Bob is well acquainted with the work of the CFC
in regard to funding agencies that provided needed services to the community.
His interests also include supporting critical programs for the homeless and
elderly and can be seen at countless charity fundraisers throughout the year.
In addition to the LFCC and FEB, he has served as president of the Massachusetts
Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, and the Founding
President of the New England Chapter of the Senior Executives Association. He
has been a visiting lecturer at the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University
and has served on the Tax Advisory Board at Bentley College in Massachusetts.
Obviously fulfilled, Bob retired from federal service in January 2004.
Sherry McGowan
United States Postal Service Raleigh Processing & Distribution Center
Research Triangle Area CFC
During her 15 ½ year tenure as a Postal Service employee, Ms.
McGowan has served a total of 8 years as a key worker, 6 years as a coordinator,
6 years as an LFCC Member, and one year as a loaned executive.
While the Postal Service represents about 33% of the Research Triangle CFC
population, Postal contributions prior to 2003 had remained consistent, but
were not growing. Seeing an opportunity, Sherry recommended to the USPS District
Manager that a Loaned Executive be assigned to the campaign. She took the responsibility
of training CFC coordinators and keyworkers representing 122 post offices and
developed a travel schedule that allowed her to personally visit each office
to give presentations and deliver materials. She personally gave CFC presentations
to 910 employees, which sometimes required 15 to 18 hour days across three work
shifts. At her own expense, Sherry donated refreshments and small door prizes
to generate interest in the CFC.
As a result of these efforts, postal participating increased by over 133% and
postal contributions increased by an impressive 148% in 2003. In the Chapel
Hill Post Office alone contributions were up by over 1,350%. Sherry has proven
that when employees are given information and the opportunity to contribution,
they will do so. She feels that she has opened the doors to resolve many obstacles
and eagerly anticipates being able to take advantage of the improvement opportunity
that continues to exist for an even more successful CFC in 2004.
Patricia Nelson
San Bernardino Postal Processing and Distribution Center
San Bernardino Area CFC
Patricia Nelson is an employee at the San Bernardino
Processing and Distribution Center and serves as the local area campaign coordinator
throughout the area. She has been involved in the CFC for each of her 20 years
as a Federal employee, including five years as a keyworker, three years as a
loaned executive, and area coordinator for the past six years. In 2003, alone,
Patricia was responsible for more than $217,000 in pledges from only 1,089 employees.
She implemented a proactive, honest, and responsible process in CFC canvassing
that has enabled her facility to make huge donations to CFC.
Patricia has been a presenter at OPM's regional workshops, sharing her knowledge
and experience with other campaign personnel. She also donates many hours of
her own time to the CFC campaign as well as many local charities, such as the
Frazee Center, Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino, and Option House. She
collects donations, utilizes her private vehicle to distribute, raise money
and food donations during Christmas, and mentors others to do the same. She
volunteered her time when the Fires of 2003 destroyed communities in the San
Bernardino area by working at a Red Cross shelter to help sort and distribute
mail to the local victims who lost their homes and property. She also gives
her time to a local elderly women, helping her with shopping, food, and other
essential quality of life issues. At the Plant where she works she takes her
own time to raise funds for local fellow employees that have great need or are
victims of the fires. She regularly receives call from fellow employees that
need assistance and always responds with help and information.
In the words of her LFCC, "Patricia is a human being that has compassion,
integrity, and the guts to take action even when it is not popular to help others.
Patricia Nelson is always a hero but now she is a CFC hero."
Duncan Nims
Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Regional Office
Southwestern Idaho CFC
Duncan Nims has almost 27 years of Federal service
and has been working at the Bureau of Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Regional
Office in Boise since 1999. He has served as the LFCC Chairperson in 2002 and
2003 and was previously a vice-chair of the committee. He has given generously
of his time and talent to champion the training of campaign coordinators and
has breathed new life into the training materials and the presentation to insure
that keyworkers are inspired and motivated to make the campaign a success. In
addition, he has made visits to agency heads to lay the groundwork for increased
participation and solicit management support, spearheaded a high visibility
campaign kickoff at a local minor league baseball game and highlighted the generosity
of the local Federal workforce by appearing on a local television talk show
to since the accolades of government employees.
Under Duncan's leadership, the Southwestern Idaho campaign set an all-time
record in 2003 with a 5% increase over previous pledges. In the two years he
has served as LFCC Chair, the campaign has raised more than $827,000 which is
an impressive accomplishment in light of the tough local economic environment.
Duncan walks the talk with his community involvement. He is a member of the
mentoring Lunch Buddy program at Horizon Elementary School and provides a class
on bicycle safety during the schools' Career, Culture, and Hobby Day. This year
he also coordinated the Bureau of Reclamation's Ground Hog Job Shadow day program
where high school students spend the day with Reclamation employees who represent
a variety of disciplines. In addition, he regularly participated in the annual
"Rake Up Boise" event that matches volunteers with local citizens
needing assistance with fall lawn care. Duncan also coaches youth baseball for
the West Boise Little League, serves meals at the local soup kitchen through
his church, provides support for local charity cycling events and officiates
high school basketball. In 2003 he was recognized by the local chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind as a special friend for his support of the
annual "Ride for Independence" bicycle ride which raises awareness
about blindness and much needed funds for local programs.
CFC Main
