Academy contracting officer wins DOD-level award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Hammes
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  A contracting officer at the 10th Contracting Squadron here was awarded the 2014 Defense Acquisition Workforce Award for Contracting in an Expeditionary Environment Category during a ceremony at the Pentagon Dec. 9.

Department of Defense leaders recognized Matthew McLean for his mission support to U.S. Central Command while managing security and logistic contracts during a year-long civilian deployment to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

"I was fortunate to have worked for some excellent leaders and with great team members while deployed and here at the 10th CONS," he said. "Their example motivated me to work hard."

McLean cited James Berns, director of the 10th CONS, for inspiring him to go above and beyond.

"He deployed to Iraq several years ago, and his example got me thinking about going to Afghanistan to serve for a year," McLean said. "I'm also fortunate to have worked for some excellent team leads and supervisors in my seven years here. They pushed me to work hard and taught me a lot about contracting. Their efforts prepared me well for my deployment."

Berns said he feels McLean is very deserving of this award.

"When we think of warriors we don't often think of our civilian Airmen," he said. "But Matt McLean breaks this stereotype.  He is a warrior and a patriot, and I admire his courage and his family's sacrifice during his one year deployment."

More than 150,000 civilian and military members were recognized at the ceremony.

This is McLean's first DOD-level award.