2024-2025 AGA DC Chapter President’s Awards were presented to:

  1. President’s Award for Exceptional Program Leadership

Paul Lionikis – Senior Advisor & Assistant Director of Programs


Paul has been actively involved with the chapter for many years and is at the core of the AGA DC chapter. He helps and advises all the incoming presidents, ensuring smooth transitions and effective leadership. Paul collaborates with AGA National, contributing to the chapter's success from behind the scenes.  This year, he continued to go above and beyond by securing great speakers for both our monthly and VIP luncheons, even finding alternates when cancellations occurred. Paul's efforts are crucial to the chapter's success and are highly valued. To recognize his dedication, Paul is awarded the President’s Award for Exceptional Program Leadership!

 

  1. President’s Award for Exceptional Event Coordination

Alexis Alfaro Trejo, CGFM, CPA – Co-Director of the Monthly Luncheon – Virtual

 

Alexis and his team have the unenviable job of making sure every monthly training goes without a hitch for our virtual attendees. This is a very difficult role, which involves constant coordination, monitoring, and addressing technical hiccups. Alexis ensured all our virtual attendees had an excellent experience with minimal disruptions or technical issues. To recognize his leadership, Alexis is awarded the President’s Award for Exceptional Event Coordination!

  1. President’s Award for Exceptional Stewardship

Mona Amatie, CGFM, PMP – Chapter Treasurer

 

Mona served in arguably one of the hardest roles this year – the DC Chapter Treasurer. She put in extensive efforts to streamline the Chapter’s financial processes and implement steps to enhance transparency and accountability for the Chapter’s finances. She managed day-to-day financial operations and supported the success of the program committees’ annual operations, by prioritizing timely and proper payments for chapter activities. She also led the finance team in the continued implementation of our Moneyminder software, tax filings, bank reconciliations, standardizing support for financial transactions and initiating financial process documentation. To recognize these achievements, Mona is awarded the President’s Award for Exceptional Stewardship!

 

  1. President’s Award for Exceptional Collaboration

Wendy Morris, CGFM, CPA, PMP - Chapter Secretary

Wendy really stepped up this year in the Secretary role. She took on additional duties including updating the Chapter bylaws and collaborating across the CEC on administrative tasks. She continued to help evolve the role of the Secretary by proactively taking on additional duties, recommending changes to policies and procedures, and keeping our monthly meetings on task with minutes and action items. To recognize her leadership, Wendy is awarded the President’s Award for Exceptional Collaboration!

  1. President’s Award for Exceptional Partnership Engagement

Cherry Sancho Ung – Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Annual Awards Gala

 

Cherry did an amazing job this year as the Corporate Sponsorship Director. She made improvements to sponsor benefits and pricing by including a discount for small businesses. As a result, she signed up more corporate sponsors than we've had in years. She continued to revamp and improve the sponsorship program and ensured sponsors received all their benefits. In addition, Cherry almost singlehandedly plans the Annual Gala, and always contributes across multiple Chapter activities and multi-chapter events, always with high enthusiasm. To recognize her efforts this year, Cherry is awarded the President’s Award for Exceptional Partnership Engagement!

  1. President’s Award for Exceptional Dedication

Crystal Wolf, CGFM, CPA, CGMS, CICA – Chapter President Elect

 

Crystal went way above and beyond what a President-Elect usually does and almost felt like a Co-President at times. She supported all the local events at the DC Chapter booth, attended and coordinated trips to universities to encourage student members, and provided a new venue for the VIP lunches this year. She was a highly active CEC member, providing great ideas and always looking for ways to improve our operations and the benefits we provide our members. To recognize her contributions this year, Crystal is awarded the President’s Award for Exceptional Dedication!

  1. President’s Award for Exceptional Technical Support and Communications

Jeff Ledford, CGFM, MBA– Director of Admin & Communications – Webmaster (pictured left)

and

Howie Simanoff, CGFM, CPA– Assistant Director of Admin & Communications – Webmaster (pictured right)

 

Both Jeff and Howie were first time DC Chapter Volunteers this year. They did an amazing job in the Webmaster role by providing fast, accurate support with web postings, event invites, email blasts and other technical support. Jeff and Howie were highly collaborative, provided guidance and suggestions rather than just executing requests, were always proactive and ensured smooth operations of our web presence and communications. To recognize their infallible support this year, Jeff and Howie are awarded the President’s Award for Exceptional Technical Support and Communications!

2024-2025 DC Chapter Awards were presented to:

  1. James W. Saylor Chapter Service Award

Bo Shevchik, CGFM, PMP

Program Director, AGA DC Chapter

Outreach and Marketing Strategy, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

 

Monthly meetings and education are the life-blood of the AGA DC Chapter as they enable members to learn and interact with each other and leaders in the accountability community. Mr. Shevchik has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication as the Chair of the AGA DC Chapter’s Monthly Luncheon Program Committee. For five years, he has successfully led efforts to identify and secure outstanding speakers for the Chapter’s monthly luncheons, ensuring consistent, high-quality programming—even during challenging periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent transition to a new administration.

Thanks to his extensive professional network and unwavering commitment, the Chapter has experienced no disruptions in its monthly training events. His swift action in securing alternate speakers when needed has ensured uninterrupted access to continuing professional education (CPE) and engaging content for members throughout the year. Mr. Shevchik’s contributions have been instrumental in maintaining the Chapter’s reputation for excellence and reliability in professional development.

The AGA DC Chapter is honored to present Mr. Bo Shevchik with the James W. Saylor Chapter Service Award.

  1. William J. Anderson Lifetime Achievement Award

Jeffrey C. Steinhoff, CGFM, CPA, CFE, CGMA
Retired Assistant Comptroller General of the United States and Managing Director, Financial Management and Assurance, U.S. Government Accountability Office


Jeff Steinhoff has had a distinguished career in the government accountability profession spanning 57 years, with 40 years in federal service. Mr. Steinhoff’s career is marked by his results-oriented, collaborative management style, and his contributions have had a lasting impact on government accountability and financial management.

He played a pivotal role in developing and enacting major federal financial management legislation, most notably as the principal architect of the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990. Senator John Glenn praised his persistence and diligence as critical to passing this landmark legislation. In 1991, he received the JFMIP Distinguished Leadership Award “for sustained leadership and significant contributions to the enactment of every major financial management reform legislation in the past decade.”

Mr. Steinhoff served in top leadership positions within GAO’s Senior Executive Service, including as Assistant Comptroller General for Accounting and Information Management, leading GAO’s largest audit unit, with responsibility for Internal Control and Auditing Standards and support to FASAB. He oversaw financial management and auditing issues across the federal government, achieving tens of billions of dollars of measurable financial benefits and high implementation rates for thousands of recommendations.

After retiring from GAO in 2008, Mr. Steinhoff joined KPMG as Managing Director of the KPMG Government Institute, producing extensive thought leadership, including numerous articles for the AGA Journal. He retired from KPMG in 2020 but continues to serve as a senior executive advisor.

As AGA’s 43rd National President of the AGA, Mr. Steinhoff founded the Certified Government Financial Manager Program and led the development of the uniform examination. He is the proud recipient of CGFM Certificate No. 0001. He has served on numerous AGA committees and task forces, contributing significantly to the organization's growth. He is presently a member and former chair of AGA’s Professional Ethics Board.

Mr. Steinhoff is a widely recognized national spokesperson, presenting at hundreds and hundreds of professional events. He has also testified extensively before Congress and regulatory bodies.

Mr. Steinhoff is an elected Fellow of the prestigious National Academy of Public Administration, where he has chaired its Audit Committee and served on expert panels on various study groups. He represented GAO on the PCAOB Standing Advisory Group, and the Comptroller General’s Advisory Council for Government Auditing Standards.

Mr. Steinhoff has received numerous awards, including GAO’s highest honor – the Comptroller General’s Award, the AICPA’s Outstanding CPA in the Federal Government, and numerous AGA awards, including its highest honor, the Robert W. King Award. Among other AGA Awards are the first Einhorn-Gary Award as one of 23 recipients recognized for their contributions over AGA’s first 50 years; the Elmer Staats Federal Leadership Award; the Harold Steinberg Award for Excellence in Accountability Reporting; and the Cornelius Tierney/EY Research Award. He is also the inaugural recipient of the Jeffrey C. Steinhoff Award for Excellence in Federal Financial Management. 

The AGA DC Chapter is honored to present the William J. Anderson Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Jeff Steinhoff in recognition of his impactful, visionary leadership and contributions to the government accountability profession and the DC Chapter.

  1. Achievement of the Year Award

United States Marine Corps
 

This award recognizes Marine Corps’ dedication to accountability and transparency – a dedication that was crowned with two consecutive unmodified audit opinions in fiscal year (FY) 2024.  In FY 2023, Marine Corps made history by becoming the first military service to earn an unmodified audit opinion.

This achievement is a testament to great teamwork – what military and civilian personnel can achieve by working together to enhance transactional accountability, adapt long standing business practices to meet financial requirements, implement modern information technology systems, and strengthen the governance structure.

Key to this success was the seamless integration of information technology systems and a robust internal control environment, which adapted Marine Corps business practices to meet financial requirements that sustained audit readiness. In FY2024, the Marine Corps initiated a comprehensive study to integrate its enterprise resource planning system with key feeder systems; implemented solutions to address access and segregation of duties control deficiencies; allocated new resources to remediate complementary user entity controls for key financial reporting systems; established a robust risk management and internal controls governance structure; and efficiently coordinated site visits across the globe in support of the auditor’s testing efforts.

Marine Corps’ multi-year efforts to achieve a clean audit opinion have many positive ramifications. In addition to the opinion that the financial statements “present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position” of $49 billion in total assets, consisting primarily of $24 billion in property, plant, and equipment, $6.7 billion in inventory, and $18billion in Fund Balance with Treasury, this achievement:

    • Provides transparencies into the cost of production, including the cost of maintenance for many Marine Corps weapons system platforms.

    • Allows Marine Corps to better plan, program, budget, execute, and prioritize programs.

    • Ultimately helps the decision makers give the warfighter what they need to execute the mission. So, when they deploy, they’ve got the best solution, the best weapons systems they can have at that point in time.

The AGA DC Chapter is honored to present the Achievement of the Year Award to the Accounting Branch of the United States Marine Corps – who serve under the leadership of Lieutenant General James H. Adams III, Deputy Commandant for Marine Corps Programs and Resources – for DoD leadership in attaining two consecutive clean audit opinions.

4. Educator Award

Dr. Dorothy Potter, PHD, CDFM-A, DFMC3, CICA, CBM
Professor and Department Chair, National Defense University, College of Information and Cybersecurity
 

Dr. Dorothy Potter is the Information Strategy Department Chair and a Professor at National Defense University’s (NDU) College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC).

For over six years, Dr. Potter has served as a cornerstone of CIC’s mission to educate joint warfighters, national security leaders, and the cyber workforce. As Course Director and instructor for multiple programs—including the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) Leadership Graduate Certificates and the Financial Management Concentration under the Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) curriculum—she has shaped the intellectual and strategic development of hundreds of military and civilian leaders.

Dr. Potter brings over two decades of academic excellence, mentoring, and advising at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Her courses, such as “Budgeting for National Security” and “The Future of Financial Information Sharing,” are not only timely but essential, equipping students with the tools to navigate complex fiscal environments, lead with integrity, and drive innovation in financial management and cyber strategy.

Her distinguished federal service prior to joining CIC—serving as Budget Branch Chief at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), FT Detrick, MD and Risk Management Section Head and Deputy Branch Head at the Risk and Compliance Branch of Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Pentagon—provided her with invaluable experience in leading diverse teams across budget, audit, and financial management functions. She holds a PhD in Organization and Management with a Leadership Specialization, along with multiple master’s degrees and graduate certificates, and is certified at the highest levels in defense financial management and internal controls.

As a Department Chair, Dr. Potter plays a critical role in curriculum assessment and academic governance, ensuring that CIC’s programs remain rigorous, relevant, and aligned with strategic guidance. Her leadership on the Curriculum Assessment Committee has directly contributed to continuous improvement in student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness.

Dr. Potter’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Her dedication to excellence, her ability to inspire future leaders, and her unwavering commitment to national service make her a model educator and public servant. She is a vital force in preparing the next generation of leaders to meet the challenges of the 21st-century security environment.

The AGA DC Chapter is honored to present the Educator Award to Dr. Dorothy Potter in recognition of her commitment to academic excellence.

  1. International Achievement Award

Dawn Simpson, CPA
Director, Financial Management and Assurance, U.S. Government Accountability Office
 

Ms. Dawn Simpson is a Director in the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) Financial Management and Assurance Team. Ms. Simpson’s distinguished career, spanning over three decades, reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence in federal financial management, audit methodology, and international collaboration.

Since 1992, Ms. Simpson has led some of GAO’s most critical financial audits, including the U.S. government’s consolidated financial statements and the Internal Revenue Service’s financial statements. Her leadership ensures the integrity and transparency of federal financial reporting, which is foundational to public trust and fiscal accountability.

Ms. Simpson oversees the development and maintenance of the GAO/CIGIE Financial Audit Manual and the Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual, which serve as essential resources for auditors across the federal government. Her work has significantly advanced the quality and consistency of federal audits. She is a member of the Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR) Board and a frequent speaker at major AGA and AICPA training events

Ms. Simpson has also made a profound impact on the global audit community through her long-standing involvement with the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) Working Group on Public Debt. Since 2011, she has represented GAO with distinction, sharing U.S. best practices, leading sustainability discussions, and contributing to the development of international audit guidance. She was appointed to the Working Group’s Steering Committee in 2023, where she plays a key role in shaping global audit standards and capacity-building initiatives. She has lead complex, high-impact projects that benefit auditors worldwide. She has also served as a discussant in global forums, further amplifying her influence and thought leadership.

Ms. Simpson holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Kentucky and is a Certified Public Accountant. Her technical expertise, collaborative spirit, and dedication to public service make her an exemplary candidate for this recognition. Her career reflects the highest standards of professionalism and service to both the nation and the international audit community.

The AGA DC Chapter is honored to present the International Achievement Award to Ms. Dawn Simpson in recognition of her outstanding global leadership in INTOSAI.

  1. Emerging Leader Award of Excellence

Mr. Aaron Ruiz, CPA
Senior Auditor, U.S. Government Accountability Office

 

Mr. Ruiz is a senior auditor at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) with over seven years of service. He currently serves as the auditor-in-charge of a Department of Defense (DOD)-focused performance audit, aimed at helping DOD achieve clean financial statement audit opinions by 2028.

Mr. Ruiz has been a key contributor to numerous high-impact audits and interagency initiatives. He has contributed to engagements that issued 46 recommendations to DOD, many of which have already led to measurable improvements in financial management and stewardship of resources. His audit experience includes the SEC, IRS, and the consolidated financial statements of the U.S. Government.

Mr. Ruiz is establishing himself as a visionary leader in the federal financial management community. As a member of the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP) planning committee, he has led the development of conferences, symposiums, and educational initiatives that have reached thousands of stakeholders. His efforts have fostered partnerships across federal and state governments, as well as with international counterparts, creating free, high-quality training opportunities.

Mr. Ruiz’s most notable achievement is his leadership of a groundbreaking, multi-agency initiative on blockchain technology’s potential in federal financial management. Coordinating experts from GAO, Treasury, and OPM, he produced a first-of-its-kind report that explored blockchain’s implications across operations, accounting, human resources, and auditing. This project advanced government understanding of emerging technologies and established a methodology for future interagency collaboration in preparing joint, multi-agency reports.

Mr. Ruiz has also led content production for major learning events, including GAO’s 2025 symposium on federal and state partnerships, which drew nearly 3,000 attendees. He has presented at national conferences, moderated expert panels, and served as master of ceremonies for high-profile events. His sessions have addressed critical topics such as payment integrity, artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, disaster financial management, federal and state partnerships, and workforce management.

Mr. Ruiz holds an accounting degree from George Mason University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Virginia. His leadership, collaboration, and public speaking skills have made him a trusted figure among senior executives at GAO, Treasury, OMB, and OPM. His contributions have helped advance the mission of GAO and have also delivered lasting value to the federal financial management community, Congress, and the American people.

The AGA DC Chapter is honored to present the Emerging Leader Award of Excellence to Mr. Aaron Ruiz for fostering collaborative relationships across federal and state governments.

  1. Distinguished Leadership Award

Tonya R. Johnson-Simmons, MBA, MAcc
Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Director, Office of Financial Management, U.S. Department of the Interior

 

Ms. Johnson-Simmons is a nationally recognized federal financial executive with 33 years of public service and a trailblazer in government leadership. She is the first African American and first woman to serve as Deputy Chief Financial Officer at the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), where she oversees more than $160 billion in assets and has led one of the most significant financial management transformations in federal history.

A 2024 Distinguished Presidential Rank Award recipient, Ms. Johnson-Simmons has also been named one of the Top 10 CFOs in the nation. Under her leadership, DOI achieved its 28th consecutive unmodified audit opinion in FY 2024, with only two findings—a historic milestone praised by both the Office of Inspector General and external auditors as “unheard of.” This outcome reflects her strategic vision, which has driven the remediation of 163 GAO and OIG recommendations, resolved all material weaknesses, and elevated audit findings closure rates to record levels.

Ms. Johnson-Simmons has modernized DOI’s financial systems through the implementation of SAP S/4HANA and launched a Department-wide anti-fraud strategy,. Her leadership in sustainability and operational efficiency led to the consolidation of DOI offices into a LEED Gold-certified facility, saving $6 million annually. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, she pioneered DOI’s first department-wide virtual financial management workshop, which more than doubled participation and saved over $500,000.

Beyond DOI, Ms. Johnson-Simmons has shaped governmentwide policy. She was selected by GSA as one of eight Senior Travel Officials to design the next $1 trillion federal travel system (ETSNext). Her advocacy around Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards (SFFAS) No. 59, Accounting and Reporting of Government Land, helped delay burdensome implementation. She also oversaw the obligation of $10.3 billion across 2,000+ infrastructure projects.

A Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellow, Ms. Johnson-Simmons is a thought leader featured in the CFO Weekly Podcast, Key Executives, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s Innovation Spotlight. She is the principal author of DOI’s Agency Financial Report, which has earned four consecutive Best-in-Class CEAR Awards. Her authorship and public speaking have influenced financial modernization across federal agencies.

Ms. Johnson-Simmons founded FortuFi, LLC, a financial literacy firm serving underserved communities, and contributes to the Economic Development Committee of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her commitment to equity, education, and empowerment extends far beyond her federal role.

Ms. Johnson-Simmons holds an Associate and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, an MBA, a Master of Science in Forensic Accounting, and is currently completing her Ph.D. in Accounting. She exemplifies transformational leadership, professional excellence, and dedication to public service. Her historic achievements, innovative reforms, and national influence make her a role model in federal financial management.

The AGA DC Chapter is honored to present Ms. Tonya Johnson-Simmons with the Distinguished Leadership Award for transformative contributions to federal financial management and excellence in accountability reporting.

  1. Excellence in Research Award

Monica Valentine, CGFM, CPA
Executive Director, Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board

 

Ms. Valentine is a nationally respected leader in federal financial management and the Executive Director of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB), where she has served with distinction for 34 years. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, she serves as both the technical director and program administrator for FASAB and chairs the Accounting Standards Implementation Committee (ASIC), guiding the development and implementation of federal accounting standards that shape the financial integrity of the U.S. government.

Ms. Valentine has contributed to the federal financial management community through her leadership in developing foundational accounting standards. Her research and technical expertise were instrumental in the development of SFFAS 5, Accounting for Liabilities of the Federal Government, which remains a cornerstone of federal financial reporting. She also led a decade-long effort culminating in SFFAS 54, Accounting for Leases, which modernized lease accounting across federal entities and significantly improved the comparability and transparency of financial statements.

As Chair of ASIC, Ms. Valentine has overseen the development of approximately 10 Technical Releases, providing critical implementation guidance on complex topics such as environmental liabilities; cleanup costs; general property, plant and equipment; and NASA’s space exploration equipment. Her leadership ensured that federal entities received clear, practical, and consistent guidance, enabling more accurate and reliable financial reporting.

Ms. Valentine has been a champion of inclusive engagement and transformative outreach. She has broadened participation in the standard-setting process by fostering a professional environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued. Her commitment to collaboration has strengthened FASAB’s partnerships across the federal landscape and elevated the relevance of its work.

In response to evolving needs, Ms. Valentine has led innovative training and outreach efforts, including the development of digital learning resources. Her efforts have improved implementation outcomes and empowered a new generation of federal financial professionals.

Ms. Valentine is a Certified Government Financial Manager and a Certified Public Accountant. She graduated with honors from Howard University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Prior to joining the FASAB, Ms. Valentine was an Audit Manager with KPMG. Under her leadership, FASAB is a model of excellence in federal standard-setting, and her contributions continue to shape the future of government financial management.

The AGA DC Chapter is honored to present Ms. Monica Valentine with the Excellence in Research Award for advancing research and the state of federal accounting standards.

  1. Government Transparency Award

The Honorable Daniel I. Werfel
Former Commissioner of Internal Revenue, U.S. Internal Revenue Service
 

The Honorable Danny Werfel has made extraordinary contributions to the evolution of federal financial management, transparency, and public accountability over nearly three decades of distinguished service. As the 50th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), he presided over the nation’s tax system, which collected over $5 trillion in FY 2024 or 96% of the federal government’s gross receipts. Leading an agency of 85,000 employees with a $12 billion budget, he transformed the IRS into a model of citizen-focused service and transparent reporting.

Under his transformative leadership, the IRS joined the AGA’s CEAR Program and submitted world-class Agency Financial Reports (AFRs) for FY 2023 and FY 2024. These reports not only earned CEAR Awards but also received three Special Achievement Awards for integrating financial and performance information in a way that is clear, candid, and accessible to the public. The CEAR Program found that “every facet of the FY 2024 AFR is exceptional”. His vision and leadership have greatly enhanced IRS’s accountability reporting and redefined how federal agencies communicate with the American people—making complex financial data understandable and relevant.

Mr. Werfel positioned the IRS to transform its operations to focus on “serving the public” by putting customers first and providing “top-quality service”. He used the AFR to speak to the public in a straightforward manner, with full transparency, by including groundbreaking content, such as the “Tax Burden, Tax Gap, and Tax Expenditures” section. This innovative presentation uses compelling visuals and plain language to explain the progressive tax structure and its impact on different economic groups—making it a must-read for citizens and policymakers alike. His commitment to transparency is further reflected in the inclusion of the “Taxpayer Bill of Rights,” a new mission statement focused on service and fairness, and a forward-looking Strategic Operating Plan that outlines the IRS’s modernization efforts.

His leadership also brought about the development of the IRS Performance Measurement Reporting Process, which clearly links strategic objectives to key performance measures. The inclusion of a “Verification and Validation of Performance Data” section sets a best-practice standard for federal reporting, enhancing the credibility and usefulness of performance data.

Prior to his tenure as Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Mr. Werfel was the global leader of the Boston Consulting Group's (BCG) Public Sector practice, following his role as the leader of BCG's Public Sector practice in North America. In these roles, he worked with government agencies worldwide on finances, service delivery, transformation plans and risk-assessment initiatives. Before joining BCG in 2014, he served as Controller and Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where he led governmentwide efforts to improve financial reporting, internal controls, accounting standards, and program integrity, among others. He held numerous leadership roles at OMB under nine different directors across administrations. He also served as Acting IRS Commissioner in 2013. His earlier service as a Trial Attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division reflects a lifelong commitment to public service and justice.

He has served on the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board and the Defense Business Board, and received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 2008. He holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Duke University, a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. He is an elected Fellow of the prestigious National Academy of Public Administration.

Mr. Werfel has consistently demonstrated ethical, transparent, and visionary leadership. His work has not only modernized the IRS but also elevated the standard for federal financial reporting and public accountability. It is with great honor that the AGA DC Chapter presents the Honorable Danny Werfel with the Government Transparency Award for his unprecedented citizen-focused leadership, contributions to government transparency, and transformative measures.

  1. DC Chapter Founder’s Award for Advancing Government Accountability

Robert  Dacey, JD, CGFM, CPA
Chief Accountant, U.S. Government Accountability Office
 

Mr. Dacey is a nationally respected leader in federal financial management and accountability, currently serving as the Chief Accountant at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and a long-standing member of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB). With over three decades of public service, Mr. Dacey has made extraordinary contributions to the development of accounting standards, audit methodologies, and governmentwide financial reporting practices that have shaped the landscape of federal accountability.

Mr. Dacey has received numerous prestigious awards, including three GAO Distinguished Service Awards (2020, 2006, 2000), the AICPA Outstanding CPA in the Federal Government Award (2009), and the JFMIP Donald L. Scantlebury Memorial Award (2021). These honors reflect his sustained excellence in advancing accountability, accounting standards, financial reporting, internal controls, and information security across the federal government and internationally.

Mr. Dacey directed the first-ever audits of the federal government-wide financial statements, a historic milestone that required extensive coordination with OMB, Treasury, and hundreds of agency financial auditors. His leadership in these audits identified critical financial management challenges and laid the foundation for ongoing improvements. He also led the first audits of the IRS and HHS, including the development of the first nationwide estimate of improper Medicare payments—work that directly influenced the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 and subsequent legislation and Presidential directives.  His work helped demonstrate the value of financial audits to the federal government, leading to the Government Management Reform Act of 1994.

Mr. Dacey has been a catalyst for over 150 GAO reports and testimonies, resulting in more than 2,400 recommendations and billions in savings. His work on information security assessments and influential Congressional testimonies led to the Federal Information Security Management Act and the Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act, reinforcing his impact on both financial and cybersecurity policy.

As a thought leader, Mr. Dacey received AGA’s National Author Award (2009). He has served on the AGA CEAR Board for a decade, including five years as Chair, where he championed streamlined, effective reporting and promoted Best-in-Class recognition for agency financial reports. His presentations at AGA national and chapter events have educated and inspired financial professionals for over 30 years.

Mr. Dacey served on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board and as liaison to the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. He received AGA’s International Achievement Award (2009) for his global contributions.

Mr. Dacey also led the development of the Financial Audit Manual and the Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual—cornerstones of federal audit methodology. These tools, adopted by inspectors general and public accounting firms, have trained thousands of auditors and continue to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and quality in federal audits.

A champion of transparency, Mr. Dacey was instrumental in creating the first-ever Citizen’s Guide to the U.S. Government’s financial statements, making complex financial information accessible to the public. He also initiated a federal-state-local partnership to build information security audit capabilities, earning recognition from the National State Auditors Association.

Mr. Dacey holds a BBA, magna cum laude, from the University of Cincinnati and a Juris Doctor from the George Mason University School of Law. He is a Certified Government Financial Manager, a Certified Public Accountant, and an associate member of the Virginia Bar. His unwavering commitment to public service has left an indelible mark on the federal accountability community. It is with great honor that the AGA DC Chapter presents Mr. Dacey with the Chapter Founder’s Award for Advancing Government Accountability in recognition of his significant leadership for over 30 years, through demonstrated expertise in government financial management, proven success in directing large scale audits and other projects, and building collaborative partnerships.

  1. DC Chapter Founder’s Award for Enhancing the Prestige of the Government Accountability Profession

David A. Lebryk, MPA
Retired Fiscal Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury

 

Mr. David Lebryk, who served as the Fiscal Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury from 2014 to 2025, is widely recognized as a preeminent leader in federal financial management. Over a distinguished 30-year career, Mr. Lebryk has been a transformational leader of many critical government initiatives, while overseeing the world’s largest collections, payments, cash management, financing operations, reporting and accounting, delinquent debt collection, and shared services. Under his leadership, Treasury managed over $6 trillion in annual disbursements and $5 trillion in collections, ensuring the smooth operation of the nation’s financial systems.

Mr. Lebryk’s legacy is defined by innovation, transparency, and service. He led the implementation of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act), culminating in the launch of the USAspending.gov website—an unprecedented step forward in federal spending transparency. His leadership in this effort earned Treasury the inaugural AGA Relmond Van Daniker Government Transparency Award.

He also spearheaded the all-electronic payments initiative, increasing electronic benefit payments from 83% to over 98%, saving taxpayers an estimated $1 billion over a decade. His support for the Direct Express prepaid debit card program provided millions of unbanked Americans with secure, no-cost access to federal benefits, exemplifying his commitment to equity and financial inclusion.

Mr. Lebryk’s leadership was critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he oversaw the delivery of economic impact payments to millions of Americans. He also led the development of a government-wide fraud detection and prevention program and issued a 10-year Vision for Federal Financial Management, setting a strategic course for the future.

Throughout his career, Mr. Lebryk has been a steadfast advocate for ethical leadership, who always worked for collective solutions that benefitted all Americans, while assisting federal agencies in better serving the public. Treating people with respect, he is a person of utmost integrity. In the face of a recent ethical crisis, he demonstrated unwavering integrity and professionalism for the nation to see what it is to be ethical and to do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time. David Lebryk rose to the occasion, serving as a role model for the accountability community and embodying the values of AGA’s Code of Ethics.

His contributions as a change agent have been recognized with numerous honors, including three Presidential Rank Awards, the AGA Elmer Staats and Frank Greathouse Distinguished Leadership Awards, and American University’s Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership. He is also an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and was named to Federal Computer Week’s “Federal 100” list of outstanding individuals.

Mr. Lebryk has been a consistent presence at AGA national events, sharing insights on federal financial policy, leadership, and critical initiatives. He developed a leadership symposium that has engaged over 200 emerging leaders across government, further cementing his legacy as a mentor and visionary.

As The Washington Post aptly described in its 2023 profile, “He runs the nation’s checkbook. He is not quite the CFO of the country, but he is pretty close.” Mr. Lebryk’s leadership has ensured that the federal government’s financial operations remain resilient, transparent, and citizen-focused.

Mr. Lebryk graduated with an A.B. in Economics from Harvard College and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  It is with great honor that the AGA DC Chapter recognizes Mr. David Lebryk’s decades of transformative leadership and demonstrated ethics and integrity by presenting him with the DC Chapter Founder’s Award for Enhancing the Prestige of the Government Accountability Profession.

  1. AGA Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery/Prince George’s County Chapters Award for Extraordinary Service to the Nation in Advancing Government Performance and Accountability for Over Five Decades

The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro
Comptroller General, U.S. Government Accountability Office
 

The 8th Comptroller General of the United States, the Honorable Gene Dodaro has been the standard of excellence in the government accountability community for over five decades and a role model for ethics and integrity.

In a legendary career of service to the nation, starting as an entry level accountant in 1973, he is the only career civil servant to become the Comptroller General in GAO’s 104-year history. Prior to beginning his 15-year term as Comptroller General in 2010, he served as Acting Comptroller General for almost 3 years and GAO’s Chief Operating Officer – the number two position – for 9 years.

He earlier served in GAO Senior Executive Service positions for another 14 years, including as Assistant Comptroller General of the United States for Accounting and Information Management for 6 years. He led virtually every major initiative in GAO, such as the High-Risk program. Since 2002, GAO’s work has resulted in more than $1.38 trillion in financial benefits – a return of $133 for every dollar invested in the agency.

Mr. Dodaro has received countless professional awards. Included are AGA’s Elmer Staats Federal Leadership Award; the prestigious National Public Service Award from the National Academy of Public Administration (to which he was elected a Fellow in 2001) and the American Society of Public Administration; the Arthur S. Fleming Award for outstanding individual performance in government; and American University’s Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership.

In 2025,  Mr.  Dodaro was inducted into Government Executive’s Government Hall of Fame. He joined 67 other luminaries in government service that include Presidents George H.W. Bush and Theodore Roosevelt, Alexander Hamilton, Clara Barton, John Glenn, Eliott Richardson, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Paul Volcker, Madeleine Albright, Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Elmer Staats.  

Perhaps most importantly, he inspires others and leads with dignity and respect for each and every individual. It is no accident that GAO stands at the top of the annual federal survey of employee engagement and satisfaction and that he has served at the top of government for 40 years. The three AGA Chapters are honored to recognize the Honorable Gene Dodaro, CGFM, for his service to the nation in advancing government performance and accountability for over five decades.

 

National Recognition – AGA’s 2025 National Leadership Training

DC Chapter nominees who received AGA National awards at the 2025 NLT

  • AGA National’s Elmer Staats Federal Leadership Award

Mike Wetklow, CGFM, CPA
Chief Risk Officer, U.S. Internal Revenue Service and Adjunct Professor, George Mason University
 

  • AGA National’s Distinguished Local Government Leadership Award

Michael J. Coveyou
Director of Finance, Montgomery County, Maryland

  • AGA National’s Eleanor Clark Leadership Award

Calandra Layne, CDFM, PMP
Director, Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation, U.S. Department of Defense

© 2025,  AGA Washington, DC Chapter. All rights reserved.