Export-Import Bank of the United States Chair Reta Jo Lewis Recognizes Staff at First Chair’s Award Ceremony; Unveils New EXIM Hall of Honor
WASHINGTON, DC – In conjunction with Public Service Recognition Week, Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis recently held EXIM’s first in-person Chair’s Award Ceremony and unveiled a new “Hall of Honor” to recognize employees’ commitment to public service and dedication to fulfilling EXIM’s mission.
“It is truly an exciting time to be at EXIM and I congratulate all of the award recipients,” said Chair Lewis. “From launching our Make More in America initiative, to trips to Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean touting EXIM services, our talented and diverse teams are working together and supporting our mandates and the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and this incredible EXIM team as we continue to build on this progress and fulfill our important mission of supporting U.S. exports and jobs for the American people.”
The new EXIM Hall of Honor is located near the main conference room on the 11th floor at EXIM’s headquarters and features photos and plaques of EXIM employees who have earned the following awards, which were selected from nominations submitted by peers and supervisors:
Distinguished Leadership Award: This is the highest honor bestowed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States to a career staff member whose distinctive performance and exemplary leadership demonstrates the highest standards of and dedication to public service. This award is given in recognition of especially meritorious contributions, unique accomplishments, and extraordinary service to EXIM and the nation that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement long after the achievement. Mr. James Cruse, head of the Office of Policy Analysis and International Relations at EXIM, was selected as the first recipient of this top honor for his dedication and lasting contributions to EXIM. Mr. Cruse has served with distinction for more than 50 years in various roles, including stints as Interim President and Chair and Acting First Vice President and Vice Chair at EXIM. His extraordinary accomplishments include helping the agency’s boards of directors evolve the Bank's strategic mission of supporting U.S. exports and jobs, and he has designed countless programs and policies to expand EXIM’s core mission of contributing to U.S. employment. He has spent years prioritizing and ensuring EXIM’s competitiveness as an export credit agency and established himself as a leader in international export credit negotiations. Importantly, Mr. Cruse has served as a teacher and mentor to countless EXIM staff, providing expert counsel, historical context, and guidance to help colleagues grow in their careers in export finance and beyond.
Good Stewardship Award: This award is given in recognition of a specific and noteworthy contribution to EXIM. Recipients include: Jonathan Brady, Dalyn Allen, Kulley Bancroft, Lee Stewart, Sara Mason, Larry Williams, Laronda Brewer, Roberto Williams, Polina Williams, Stephen Parsons, David Baughan, William Thomas, Deborah Feggins, Paxton Stephan
Meritorious Service Award: This award is given in recognition of superior and substantial achievements and significantly advance EXIM’s mission. Recipients include: Ray Philpot, Marina Braginskaya, Eugene Uhm, Kenneth Click, Gary Allo, Naveed Iqbal, Elizabeth Thomas, Caroline Jouy, Jane Lemons, Gabriella Fedele, Alyson Young, Selma Hamilton, LaTaunya Darden, Ravi Singh, Erin Staton, Patricia Wolf, Walter Hill, Anita Turi-Wright, Isabel Galdiz, Reid Zimmerman, Daniel Dyke
The Hall of Honor Award: This award is to honor dedicated career staff who have exceeded five years of EXIM federal service and have made significant contributions to the agency. Recipients include: Larry Williams, LaTaunya Darden, Stephen Parsons, Naveed Iqbal, Gary Allo, Natascha Joyner
EXIM Time in Service Award: This award is given to career staff who have achieved 25 or more years of service to EXIM. Recipients include: Douglas M. Frye, Kyle Jackson, Charles Goohs, Carlos Vidal, Ashok Pasricha, Jean A. Fitzgibbon, Wilma Reyes, Katherine Arendt, Roger Cohen, Tamara Maxwell, Janette Iker, John Lynn, Craig O'Connor, Mauricio Milian, Paul Duncan, Augusto “Guy” Acuna, Mark Barton, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Michael Pratt, Isabel Galdiz, Lyshawn Jackson, Mildred D. Long, Joseph Mahoney, Verna Workman, Pamela Guyton, Walter M. Kosciow, Wendy Boothe, Mohammad Aslam, Tad Yamada, Tara Pender, Kalesha Y. Malloy, Donna L. Schneider, Deborah Gleaton, Deborah Feggins, Edward Ciampa, Kenneth Tinsley, Susan W. Furr, Elizabeth (Libby) Ayers, Judy J. McClain, Jim Cruse
Chair Lewis also extended thanks and congratulations to the awards ceremony organizing committee, led by Loan Nguyen, Chief Projects Officer: Adam Frost, Liz Ryan, Hermanski Jackson, Jonathan Hale, Shanette Jenkins, Stefanie Johnson, Alan Foust, Selma Hamilton, Niki Shepperd, Susan Houser, Isabel Galdiz, Tony Perez, David Grins, Laly Perez, Jalelah Ahmed, Lucy Herbert, Courteney Bush, Jackie Ullrich, Nina Tophoff, Justin Yao, the Helpdesk Support Staff, the Printshop Support Staff, and the Administrative Service Staff.
ABOUT EXIM:
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the nation’s official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. To advance American competitiveness and assist U.S. businesses as they compete for global sales, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. As an independent federal agency, EXIM contributes to U.S. economic growth by supporting tens of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. Since 1992, EXIM has generated almost $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt. Learn more at www.exim.gov.
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