2020 Achievement Award Recipients

Anita Brown
Counterintelligence Coordination Officer, Bureau of Intelligence & Research, U.S. State Dept
(Richard J. Kerr Government Award)

Anita Brown’s outstanding record of achievement, ability to think strategically about complex issues, and commitment to excellence have advanced U.S. foreign policy and counterintelligence priorities. Adept at navigating complicated national security issues, her leadership on the Russia, China, North Korea, and Cuba counterintelligence (CI) portfolio is integral to enabling the State Department and broader U.S. government to balance critical CI concerns. The Department relies on Anita for her consensus building skills, ability to anticipate third and fourth order effects of policy decisions, and subject matter expertise when assessing their response options and acting in the best interest of the mission.

TSgt William N. Haskell, USAF
NCO in Charge, Global Outreach, Mission Integration Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office
(William O. Studeman Military Award)

By demonstrating exceptional leadership, technical proficiency, and professional commitment, Technical Sergeant William N. Haskell, USAF, has dramatically advanced the capabilities of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Mission Integration Directorate. In this past year, he led 28 deployments, ensuring optimized overhead collection integration with the Combatant Commands and the Services. TSgt Haskell’s best-matrixed approach enabled the rapid integration of overhead systems support and training to 38,000 members. He is also recognized for leading forward-deployed training to remote locations. Specifically, he coordinated reach-back to 4,000 personnel while managing a multi-million-dollar NRO program to rapidly develop and deliver 168 innovative processing solutions to address collection shortfalls.

Megan Jaffer
Founding Member, Amazing Women of the IC
(Joan A. Dempsey Mentorship Award)

Megan Jaffer has used her extraordinary communication skills, can-do attitude, and unparalleled leadership ability to help grow the Amazing Women of the IC (AWIC) from a small group of 40 women into a flourishing organization of 900+ members. In the five years since AWIC’s start, Ms. Jaffer has met with dozens of junior and peer women, connecting with them individually to help them navigate the IC, identify opportunities, or chart their own career paths. AWIC members often report that a new job, assignment, or opportunity resulted from an initial conversation with Megan.

Franklin Mosca
Intelligence Analyst, FBI San Antonio Field Office
(John W. Warner Homeland Security Award)

Franklin Mosca’s exemplary leadership, collaborative nature, and results-oriented mindset unfailingly pave an efficient path to success and ensured the protection of U.S. interests. As an intelligence analyst for the FBI, Mr. Mosca has pioneered innovative methods of “doing things smarter” and is widely praised for his exceptionally thorough work. In one notable example, his meticulous research and analysis during a counterterrorism investigation of an asylum-seeking Somali national linked to a foreign terrorist organization led to the expeditious deportation of that individual. On a different assignment, he arranged for FBI experts to brief key Brazilian stakeholders regarding the vulnerabilities of Chinese-origin equipment. These briefings helped Brazilian government partners better understand the national security implications of unsecured infrastructure.

LTC David P. Oakley, PhD
Assistant Professor, College of International Security Affairs, National Defense University
(Sidney D. Drell Academic Award)

As an Assistant Professor at the College of International Security Affairs, a senior service college of the National Defense University, LTC David P. Oakley, PhD, USA, helps deliver the Combating Terrorism and Irregular Warfare Fellowship Program. He has instructed more than 300 senior leaders from over 30 countries. LTC Oakley's extensive scholarship includes an award-winning paper and critically acclaimed publications. His most recent book, Subordinating Intelligence: The DoD/CIA Post-Cold War Relationship, has been nominated for the William E. Colby Military Writers’ Award. Through his exemplary teaching, scholarship, and service to his profession, LTC Oakley has greatly enhanced national security studies, strengthened relationships with key allies, and helped develop the next generation of U.S. intelligence and national security professionals.

Abe Usher
Technology Leader, Black Cape
(Edwin H. Land Industry Award)

Abe Usher pioneered leading-edge advancements in data science, machine learning, and geospatial analysis at the NGA, DIA and other IC agencies. The innovations developed by his teams revolutionized multi-agency collaboration, accelerated adoption of data science, and deployed secure systems used by thousands of analysts and warfighters. In support of DIA’s Analytic Modernization Initiative, Mr. Usher assembled a team of software engineers dubbed “the Nerd Brigade” that rapidly developed and deployed analytical tools that saved the agency thousands of man hours, reduced human error, and improved data fidelity. At NGA, his Rapid Feedback Teams informed NGA’s workforce development strategy and led to the standup of the NGA Data Corps.  Abe Usher’s extraordinary technical knowledge, mission understanding, and selfless dedication to national security enhance both the capabilities of the IC and the security of the nation.