Air Force honors DFAS employee for meritorious service
Diana Benoit, a financial management specialist (instructor) in Human Resources Learning and Development Division at DFAS Indianapolis, was recognized Sept. 3 for her distinguished performance as an instructor at the Ira C. Eaker College for Professional Development,
Air University
, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala., from November 2005 to May 2008. She was on a temporary duty assignment to the school until May and was then extended to September.
Col. Daniel L. Dunaway, director of the DFM&CS, in his e-mail to DFAS Director Zack E. Gaddy Sept. 4 said Benoit was "…more than exemplary and raised the bar for all other instructors."
"I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for allowing Diana to extend her tour here during our acute staff shortage. Her historical knowledge, expertise and experience helped train not only her replacement but also other new personnel," he added.
The award's citation read in part that Benoit "…was instrumental in shaping financial management expertise across the Defense Department by providing quality, graduate level professional education to over 800 students..."
Dunaway said that Benoit carried a heavy course load, which included three one-week Defense Decision Support Mobile Courses and a four-week course. He also credited her for helping to build the new and "…highly acclaimed mobile course that has proven a much more cost effective means to deliver enhanced decision making skills to DOD resource managers."
In the staff summary sent to the
Air Education and Training Command
at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, for the award, Dunaway noted that student critiques consistently praised Benoit's teaching and named her the "best of the best."
During her tenure, she also spearheaded marketing, oversaw the writing and speaking program and was the Ira C. Eaker College Unit Voting Assistance Representative.
Benoit wrote four articles that were published in 10 different magazines, including the
Armed Forces Comptroller
, the Army's
Resource Management
and the Air Force's
Comptroller
. Dunaway said her work had been incorporated into training materials for students attending the Air Force Basic Financial Management Officer Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
As the leader of the school's high-demand elective public speaking course, Benoit received a Silver Certification and also a regional award from
Toastmasters International
for her oratory skills.
Throughout the nearly three-year assignment she earned numerous awards, including the Civilian of the Quarter for the DFM&CS and the
Ira C. Eaker College for Professional Development
three times. Benoit also received an Education/Training/Career Development Award in 2007 from the American Society of Military Comptrollers Montgomery Chapter and the prestigious Air Force Educator of the Year for Financial Management Award the same year.
The DFM&CS's mission
" is to provide quality joint operational-level professional continuing education to DOD financial management personnel. " It also seeks to expand the students ' skill sets for future decision-making leadership roles that focus on supporting the warfighters.
Benoit will return to her job at DFAS Indianapolis Sept. 15. Her supervisor, Allie Amos, the DFAS chief learning officer, is eagerly awaiting her return and plans to make good use of her vast experience.
"Based on the experience she received while at Maxwell Air Force Base she brings back a wealth of knowledge that will make her an invaluable asset not only to the Learning and Development Division but to DFAS, as a whole. We look forward to having her back and to giving her a challenging assignment to make use of her talents," Amos said.
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Points of Contact
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Indianapolis - Corporate Communications
Kevin Jackson
Phone: 317-510-8800
