McConnell money managers earn MAJCOM award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A 'Top dollar" leader and a civilian financial guru from the 22nd Comptroller Squadron here earned Air Mobility Command-level financial management awards recently.

Maj. Edward Marshall, Jr., 22nd CPTS commander, was selected as the AMC Maj. Gen. Frank R. Faykes Financial Manager and Comptroller of the Year. Lisa Cuddy, a customer service finance technician and deputy dispersing officer, was selected as Financial Management Civilian of the Year.

Both money managers bring significant value to the wing with responsibilities that directly impact financial matters for base personnel and balance and keep an eye over the base's budget and economic impact. Their contributions don't go unnoticed.

"Lisa has been recognized as having one of the best civilian pay programs in the command where financial experts from other bases seek her guidance for their programs," said Lt. Col. James Wurzer, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Director of Staff. Her outstanding customer service is part of her mentality she encourages through the entire finance squadron."

Many people might realize quickly, without Ms. Cuddy's commitment to customer service, civilians here would have empty pockets and be sourly petulant on payday.

Mrs. Cuddy, who has been at the McConnell squadron for eight years, manages civilian employees' time cards and pay issues for more than 500 employees.

Winning her award for a second year in a row, and having more than 18 years in the finance career field, she prides herself in customer service care, which she said is too often viewed in a negative light.

"I believe in putting the care of my customers and their pay at the top of my priorities," said Mrs. Cuddy. "I enjoy the interaction with employees and believe they have confidence in me that I will do everything in my power to take care of their payroll and timekeeping issues."

Mrs. Cudy also serves the retired military community by processing retiree pay change documents, and she manages debt collections for the Defense Travel System.

Colonel Wurzer is amazed by the major's leadership and said the finance commander will not take credit for his many accomplishments and grants the glory to his finance staff.

"He'll take all the blame and give away all the credit," Colonel Wurzer said. "That shows you what a great leader he is."

The humble major confesses that "he just attends a lot of the meetings," and warrants the satisfaction of his award to the 33 comptroller professionals he commands.

"It's the people that do all of the work and who I have the most pride in," said Major Marshall. "I tell my guys nothing happens in the Department of Defense without resources, and we provide those financial resources. Every commander comes into command wanting to accomplish certain things. To do this, they need resources. That's why our motto is 'We Make Dreams Come True' - we try to make dreams come true for commanders and our customers.

Both Major Marshall and Mrs. Cuddy will advance to an Air Force-level financial management competition.