AGA Today

Congratulations to the 2010 National Leadership Award Recipients

Federal Leadership Awards

Distinguished Federal Leadership Award


To formally recognize elected or presidentially appointed federal officials who exemplify and promote excellence in government management and have demonstrated outstanding leadership in enhancing sound financial management legislation, regulations, practices, policies and systems.

Danny Werfel, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
In recognition of Mr. Werfel’s promotion of governmental financial management excellence and for improving operational efficiencies across the federal government. He has led work to reduce improper payments, reform management of government property, and improve reliability and timeliness of financial reporting. He has led OMB’s efforts to implement the transparency and accountability requirements of the American Accountability and Recovery Act. Mr. Werfel’s leadership has produced measurable improvements in the way the U.S. government operates.

Elmer Staats Award 


To formally recognize federal professionals who exemplify and promote excellence in government, outstanding leadership, high ethical standards and innovative management procedures. 

Alan “Keith” Bentley, SES, Director, Program Analysis and Financial Management, U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Department of Defense
In recognition of Mr. Bentley’s transformation of financial management across the Department of Defense by fielding a successful technology demonstration of the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System; for coaching his people to personal excellence; and for championing innovative management techniques that have resulted in the transformation of the nation’s premier transportation and distribution organization.

William H. Campbell, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Chief Operating Officer, Atlantic Financial Navigation
In recognition of Mr. Campbell’s work over three decades at the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and National Railroad Passenger Corporation to strengthen financial stewardship in the federal government. At the Coast Guard, he put improvements in place that led to the first-ever unqualified audit opinion, and he has developed the next generation of financial leaders through training and mentoring.  His sustained commitment to improving financial performance as a senior federal official and as a successful financial practitioner is a powerful example that excellence in financial management can significantly improve service to the nation. 

Andy Barr Award 


To formally recognize the financial executives in the private sector who exemplify and promote excellence in government, outstanding leadership, high ethical standards and innovative techniques.

Ronald Longo, CGFM, CPA, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Managing Director, KPMG LLP
In recognition of Mr. Longo’s numerous leadership roles in the federal government over 35 years and his devotion to improving federal financial management by helping agencies address complex accounting and auditing issues. Mr. Longo played a major role in implementing the major financial management legislation of the 1990s, including the CFO Act, while at the Office of Management and Budget, and he later served as KPMG’s technical specialist on preparing and auditing federal financial statements, working with the inspector general and CFO community to reach consensus. Mr. Longo's efforts have resulted in better financial reporting and improved information and processes, which are useful to decision-makers and stakeholders in managing the business of government. 

State & Local Leadership Awards

Excellence in Government Leadership Award

To formally recognize government professionals who exemplify and promote excellence in government, outstanding leadership, high ethical standards and innovative management procedures.

Richard V. Norment, CGFM, CIA, Nashville Chapter, Assistant to the Comptroller, Comptroller of Treasury, State of Tennessee
In recognition of Mr. Norment’s distinguished record of service to the Comptroller of the Treasury’s office, where he is responsible for the annual audits of all 95 Tennessee county governments, which are now in total compliance with the financial reporting standards outlined by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board in Statement 34. Norment managed the successful implementation of this milestone achievement, and has lent his leadership skills to AGA as Past National President and to several other professional organizations.

William R. Snodgrass Distinguished Leadership Award


To formally recognize state government professionals who exemplify and promote excellence in government financial management and who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in enhancing sound financial management legislation, regulations, practices, policies and systems.

Robert L. Childree, CGFM, Montgomery Chapter, Former Controller (Retired), State of Alabama
In recognition of Mr. Childree’s leadership in improving state financial management, not just in Alabama, but throughout the nation. He led the development and implementation of a new financial management system in Alabama, wrote new fiscal and accounting policies and received 13 consecutive unqualified audit opinions on the state’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. He has also been actively involved in several national professional associations and chairs AGA’s Financial Management Standards Board.

Distinguished Local Government Leadership Award 


To formally recognize local government professionals who exemplify and promote excellence in government financial management and who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in enhancing sound financial management legislation, regulations, practices, policies and systems.

William J. DiVello, CFE, CIG, Northern Virginia Chapter, Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Office of the Inspector General, District of Columbia Government
In recognition of Mr. DiVello’s exceptional leadership in implementing a strong financial management infrastructure and audit program, which have produced potentially $50 million in savings for the District of Columbia in fiscal year 2009 while improving essential services and helping vulnerable populations.  

Private Sector Financial Excellence Award 


To formally recognize financial executives in the private sector who exemplify and promote excellence in state or local government financial management, outstanding leadership, high ethical standards and innovative management techniques.

Paul M. Geraty, CGFM, CPA, Baltimore Chapter, Partner, Public Services Practice, KPMG LLP
In recognition of Mr. Geraty’s work assisting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the state of Maryland and local governments in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area with improving financial management processes while providing governmental accounting training to hundreds of state and local government accounting professionals.

Keith F. Novak, CPA, Partner, State and Local Government Services, Clifton Gunderson LLP
In recognition of Mr. Novak’s leadership in helping states, counties, local governments, school districts and other governmental entities strengthen controls and improve operational efficiencies while training government finance professionals on applicable accounting rules. His extensive knowledge in Governmental Accounting Standards Board issues has established him as an expert on best practices.