Team Sheppard members win AF EEO awards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Three Team Sheppard members were recognized for their contributions to the advancement of under-represented groups Feb. 28 by being named 2006 Air Force Distinguished Equal Employment Opportunity Award winners.

Col. Sam Lofton III, 82nd Training Group commander, won the award in the commander's action category; Tech. Sgt. Edgar Gaytan, an instructor with the 365th Training Squadron, won a special emphasis award in the Hispanic employment category; and Kimberly Payne, a human resource specialist with the 82nd Mission Support Squadron, also won special emphasis award, in the Asian American and Pacific Islander category.

Each award winner was selected for their contributions to the base and local communities, said Sherry Murray-Garrett, chief of equal employment opportunity.

According to the "Guidance for Organizing Observances, May 2001," published by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., the awards are conducted to recognize the continuous achievements of all Americans to American culture and to increase awareness, mutual respect and understanding.

The purpose is to help promote, educate and recruit individuals leading to the advancement of under-represented groups, Ms. Murray-Garret said.

For instance, Colonel Lofton was recognized for his role in leading the 82nd TRG as well as his roles in various programs, like the African-American Heritage Committee and North Texas Community Meals-on-Wheels program.

"Anytime you can represent your wing and demonstrate the results of positive teamwork, in this case winning an Air Force-level award. It is a blessing," Colonel Lofton said.

"The key thing to remember is this," he continued, "Sam Lofton did not win this award, Team Sheppard did."

Sergeant Gaytan, president of the Sheppard Hispanic Heritage Committee, mirrored the colonel's message about Team Sheppard.

"The truth is that I did not really accomplish anything as an individual," Sergeant Gaytan said. "Instead I feel this award represents the hard work and commitment of the members of the (Sheppard HHC) and the people from off-base who supported our efforts."

For Mrs. Payne, whose heritage is both Korean and Hawaiian but was adopted when she was 11-months-old, the award represents her drive to learn more about her heritage.

"It's almost a feeling of not feeling you belong," she said. "So for me, receiving this award is an honor and only makes me want to learn more and to give more, so that others can share in all that the Asian and Pacific Islander culture has to offer.