GTSC Awards
Since 2011, GTSC has recognized the numerous public and private sector officials who work to protect the homeland every day. Many works with little recognition of challenges and issues that are critical to achieving the mission of protecting our homeland. In 2018, with the acquisition of Homeland Security Today, GTSC has expanded our awards program nationally and developed a number of new awards for our annual Holiday Awards to recognize these heroes and raise awareness of their contributions to the homeland and national security mission. View our 2018 Award Winners!
We look for people doing the thankless, hard stuff. The people who – despite politics and rhetoric – have devoted their lives to assure that we maintain our freedom, our democracy, and our way of life.
We have added several new categories: “Homeland Security Person of the Year,” Mission Awards, Acquisition Excellence, Excellence in Outreach, and Most Innovative Campaign to Improve Security to our list of awards.
Former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff Accepting the GTSC Founders Award
Homeland Security Person of the Year
The GTSC Homeland Security Today Person of the Year is awarded to an individual who is and has served the homeland security mission in an exemplary fashion. This individual has directly improved, executed, and/or engaged the proper people, agencies, departments necessary to tangibly improve the nation’s prevention, protection, mitigation, or response capacity.
Federal Small Business Champion of the Year
Federal Small Business Champion of the Year is awarded annually to the Federal official(s) who show a distinct commitment and tangible results toward improving the environment and success for small businesses in the Federal homeland and national security market.
Market Maven Award
Awardees for Federal Small Business Champions of the Year from USCIS
Presented to an exceptional individual who contributes in a concrete and tangible way to the efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness of the homeland and national security market. Proven as a thought leader with a belief in increasing individual opportunity, the power of free enterprise and the nurture of innovation to advance and support the homeland and national security mission
Acquisition Excellence
Added in 2016, the Acquisition Excellence award recognizes a division, agency or effort that has improved the speed, efficiency, and effectiveness of the acquisition of technology, products or services that support the front-line missions of homeland security. Projects must demonstrate tangible benefits and improved efficiency in the acquisition process.
Excellence in Outreach
Much of partnership requires knowledge and understanding. Communication between industry and government to achieve the best products and services requires outreach in all stages: requirements building, request for information, effective industry days, outreach through engagement and much more. The Excellence in Outreach award recognized the agency, department, team or individual that has excelled at engaging, explaining and educating to benefit the mission of securing our nation and the American taxpayer.
Most Innovative Campaign to Improve Security
People around the nation are working to find creative and engaging ways to help the public understand and prepare for any eventuality. The Most Innovative Campaign to Improve Security recognizes a federal, state, local, or private sector campaign that has increased awareness and preparedness for a threat that requires the partnership of the American people to mitigate.
Nuri Vitiello, founder of the Border Patrol Family Network receiving the first Citizen of Mission award
Citizen of Mission
The Citizen of Mission award goes to an individual that devotes their personal time, energy, and resources to work for causes related to homeland security. Volunteers, non-profit leaders, corporate employees, anyone is eligible for nomination as long as they devote time and dedicated effort to supporting the homeland mission.
Strategic Partner of the Year
The Strategic Partner of the Year is awarded annually to the Strategic Partner that demonstrates a clear commitment to GTSC, contributes significantly to the content and substance of the organization and provides GTSC members with counsel, insight, and resources to perform exceptionally on behalf of the homeland and national security mission.
Strategic Advisor of the Year
The Strategic Advisor of the Year is awarded annually to the Strategic Advisor who works on behalf of GTSC to increase our capacity, membership, and opportunities to bring the innovation, creativity, and solutions of small and mid-sized companies to the homeland and national security mission.
Mission Award winners – recognized for tangible progress toward the mission of securing the nation.
Most Valuable Player Award
MVP is awarded to a Federal official who modernizes and improves the operations and performance of an agency, component, program or division to increase capacity, speed delivery, use innovation and improve performance. These leaders also focus on the future – developing strategies and plans to address our constantly changing, dynamic threat environment. Read about the 2013 MVP Award recipient, Mr. Charles Armstrong, Assistant Commissioner & Chief Information Officer of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, here.
Small Business Member of the Year
The award is presented annually to the GTSC Member that exemplifies exceptional quality and ethics for the Federal government, a commitment to GTSC’s small business members and advocacy on behalf of our community.
Mentor of the Year
Mentor of the Year is awarded annually to the GTSC Mentor who has worked to increase members’ understanding of the homeland and national security market, increased business opportunities for small companies through formal and informal mentoring and engages with GTSC to promote an innovative, robust, fair market for all.
Mid-Tier Member of the Year
Mid-Tier Member of the Year has contributed positively to increase the opportunities, ideas, and understanding of the mid-tier companies in the federal market. Coined “other than small”, these companies are often “punished” for their success. GTSC’s Mid-Tier Member of the Year works on market solutions, creative market partnerships and increased options for growth.
Do you know of a mission area that is not recognized?
Have an idea for recognition of an unsung hero? Let us know.
Sponsorships are available for the 2019 Holiday Awards! We will see you in December!
Questions? Comments? Contact us today!
