Eastern National 2022 Annual Awards

Eastern National’s Annual Awards highlight excellence in performance and partnership. The awards program was designed to acknowledge outstanding Individual contributions that have had a positive impact on an Eastern National operation or individual park, thus furthering and promoting EN’s unique relationship with its partners.

FY 2022 Superior Performance Award Winners

The Superior Performance Award recognizes outstanding partner support of an Eastern National agency. They are awarded annually to the top four outstanding partner personnel, regardless of agency size. The 2021 Superior Performance Awards were presented to:

Jessica Kunhen,  Museum Technician (Park Store Coordinator) Weir Farm NHP. A long-term renovation of the Weir Farm Park visitor center and surrounding buildings was completed in early 2022. Throughout that process Jessica was extremely collaborative and receptive to redesigning our assortment for the new space. Sales for fiscal year 2022 were record setting, beating their best prior year (FY19) by 36%. Working with Jessica on this project was both financially and creatively rewarding. It is a great example of a cooperative partnership that resulted in a beautiful space, featuring thoughtful and creative products that represent the park well.

Ann Honious, NPS Superintendent for Chattahoochee NRA. Ann has provided exemplary support and commitment to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area‘s partnership with Eastern National. In this, Ann’s first full year as Superintendent at the park, she partnered with EN and planned a complete store agency improvement using both park and EN funds. Ann and the CHAT team also helped foster a new formal relationship between EN and Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy. In fiscal year 2022, the park store saw record sales: over 10% higher than our previous record in 2017 and 49% higher than 2021.

Matthew Woods, Superintendent at Moores Creek National Battlefield. Matt and his team have done an exceptional job supporting the park store’s operation and growing the partnership between the Park Service and Eastern National. He has been very involved in finding just the right mixture of items and is open to sharing ideas for new items designed to interpret the story of the site. Matt and his team are always eager to do whatever they can to help with the success of the partnership and the Park Store, which has included fully embracing a new part-time Eastern National employee. Sales increased at this location by 30% over FY 2021 and by 54% over FY 2019.

David Isle, Public Service Staff Officer at El Yunque NF. David has worked tirelessly over the past several years to ensure inclusiveness and ownership in a newly structured partnership at El Portal. David and his team worked with Eastern National to plan for every detail of the re-opening of El Portal and he spent much time mentoring the store manager with project management tips, taking time to provide all the support needed. David’s dedication to re-imagining the partnership has enabled us to upskill the interpretive staff and develop a program to work with the Intellectual disabilities program of Puerto Rico.

FY 2022 Charles S. Marshall Unit Award

The Charles S. Marshall Unit Award recognizes the most outstanding agency that has achieved noteworthy teamwork in promoting and aiding the historical, scientific, educational, interpretive and operational activities of our partners through EN agency operation. The 2022 Award recipient is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Education, Interpretation and Visitor Services Team.

FY 2022 Special Achievement Awards

Special Achievement Awards recognize exceptional performance in store operations and partner relations. Awards were presented to the following EN employees:

Kenneth Williams, Store Manager at Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail

Gerelle Sheard, Lead Store Associate at Lincoln Memorial

Megan Luther, Eastern National Buyer

Bridgette Nitza-Buwala, Store Manager at Antietam National Battlefield

Nick Miano, Southeast Regional Manager

Joe Duggan, IT Support Technician

Nick Zagame, IT Support Technician

Amy Devaisher, Store Manager at Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Lee Pettey, Northeast Regional Manager

(Elizabeth) Libby Perry, Store Manager at Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie National Historical Park