FORT BELVOIR, Virginia – The Army named three of its civilians as Army Inspector General Civilians of the Year for fiscal year 2018.
David Kauffman, Rhonda Phillips, and Ronald Johnson each took top honors in their respective categories. The IG announced the selections recently at its Army World Wide Inspector General Conference here. Lt. Gen Leslie C. Smith, the 66th inspector general of the Army, presented the Civilian Service Commendation Medal and a plaque commemorating the event to each honoree.
Officials received nomination packages from competitors worldwide who represented each of the Army components and several commands.
“Their superlative performance during the period of Oct. 1, 2017, through Sept. 30, 2018, clearly set them apart as the outstanding inspectors general in their respective categories of competition,” said Donna Wood, the Career Program 55 manager with the Army Inspector General Agency.
Kauffman, an assistant inspector general assigned to Joint Forces Headquarters – Pennsylvania National Guard, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, took top honors in category 1, for GS-9 to GS-11 employees. Kauffman is a Pennsylvania guard military retiree and has served the guard as a civilian since September 2007.
Phillips, assigned to the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Central, Fort Knox, Kentucky, won category 2 for GS-12 and GS-13 employees. Phillips is an Army retiree and has served 1st TSC as a civilian since May 2013.
Johnson, the deputy inspector general with U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was honored as the winner of category 3, for GS-14 and GS-15 employees. Johnson has served in his current position since July 2011 and is also an Army Reserve retiree.
Wood said, “They were selected in their respective categories for their technical expertise, leadership skills, and contributions, which significantly improved Army readiness during fiscal year 2018.”
