GEICO Notes Winners of 2004 Public Service Awards

Tony Nicely, president and chief executive officer of Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO), announced the five recipients of its 2004 Public Service Awards program. This year marks the 25th year that the company has honored public service employees who go above and beyond their professional duties to make a difference in their communities.

GEICO’s Public Service Awards honor civilian career federal employees and retirees for outstanding achievements in the fields of substance abuse prevention and treatment, fire prevention and safety, physical rehabilitation, and traffic safety and accident prevention. The five winners will each receive a $2,500 cash award, a commemorative plaque, and an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a special recognition ceremony. To commemorate the 25th year of the awards program, GEICO has also invited the 116 past recipients to attend a special reception.

Recipients of the 2004 awards are:

* Judy Turnbaugh, a retired senior enforcement programs specialist on the staff of the Commissioner of Customs for her work in physical rehabilitation.

* Jerry McDermott, safety and occupational manager for the Holloman Air Force Base, for his work in traffic safety and accident prevention.

* Alfred Benalli, alcohol prevention specialist with the Department of
Health and Human Services, Navajo Area Indian Health Service, for his
work in substance abuse prevention and treatment.

* Kenneth Frasl, a hydrologic technician for the U.S. Geological
Service Washington Water Science Center, for his work in fire safety.

* Ross Braun, a natural resource specialist for the Department of
Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, for his work in
physical rehabilitation.

The recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony and reception in Washington, D.C., Monday, April 4. The ceremony will be held at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration building, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“This year marks the 25th year of GEICO’s Public Service Awards,” said Nicely. “Since 1980, we have been honored to salute the men and women who work on behalf of our country each day and who dedicate their time and talent to bettering their communities. It is a pleasure to celebrate this year’s honorees as well as a 25-year history that is rich with such outstanding contributions.”