NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- The Air Force Reserve Command recently announced Senior Master Sgt. William Geary the winner of the 2021 National Public Service Award. Geary is a KC-135 boom operator from the 328th Air Refueling Squadron here.
The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions and whose accomplishments can be viewed as models of public service within and outside the work environment.
In his civilian capacity, Geary works as the Commissioner for the Department of Public Works of Erie County, New York where he has been employed for the past 14 years while serving as a Reservist with the 914th Air Refueling Wing since 1991.
As the Commissioner since 2017 he is responsible for the overall management and services to all divisions within DPW; Division of Buildings, the Division of Fleet Services, the Highway Division Road Fund, and the Utilities Aggregate Fund.
During COVID operations in Erie County, Geary had been involved with the policy group headed by the County Executive, which included operations and logistics of all personal protective equipment and testing supplies and locations throughout Erie County. All in addition to the normal day to day activities of providing direction, policy, executive administration, and personnel services for the Department of Public Works.
This award was open to both military and DOD civilian employees. A committee from ASPA and NAPA reviewed nominations and selected up to five award recipients who have spent a significant portion of their career as public service practitioners at the federal, state, local or international levels of government or in non-profit organizations that provided direct public service.
The NPSA program recognizes individuals that have agency-wide responsibility who exhibit the highest standards of excellence, dedication, and accomplishment over a sustained period of time, and who are creative and highly skilled career managers at all levels.
"The 328th ARS is extremely proud of Bill and his accomplishments. He is the quintessential Air Force Reservist, dedicating himself not only to the service of his country, but also to his Western New York community. Senior Master Sgt. Geary sets the example of what we strive to achieve as Citizen Airmen," said Lt. Col. Ryan Mowers, 328th ARS commander.