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Niagara Reserve unit receives organization of the year award

  • Published
  • By Maj. Andrea Pitruzzella
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Several members of the 914th Airlift Wing were on hand as Col. Allan Swartzmiller accepted the award for Leadership Niagara's Organization of the Year during their annual Leader of the Year luncheon in Niagara Falls, NY on Thursday, April 26, 2012.
 
Leadership Niagara, the longest running community leadership development program in New York State, has for the past 22 years held their Leader of the Year event to recognize outstanding leaders and organizations who exemplify their mission and core values. This year the 914th Airlift Wing was selected for their strong commitment to our local community, visionary leadership and empowering leaders at all levels to achieve the wing mission of "Current, Qualified and Ready to Fight."

"The 914th Airlift Wing is an extraordinary example of leadership for our region," said Molly Anderson, Executive Director for Leadership Niagara.  "We are very grateful for the men and women of the military who provide leadership at home and at work. That is how we build a strong and healthy community."

In addition to these positive attributes, the award made mention of the how closely the Air Force core values; Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do, resemble those of Leadership Niagara's which include Excellence, Visionary Leadership, societal responsibility and diversity and inclusion. Perhaps these commonalities is why the 914th Airlift Wing has had 14 of its members, both past and present, successfully graduate from the Leadership Niagara program and join the over 1,000 graduates in the Niagara Region since 1984.

Today's award was presented by Mr. Merrell Lane and Mr. John Cooper, President and Vice-President of the Niagara Military Affairs Council and past recipients of the Leadership Niagara 2006 Leader of the Year award.

"We appreciate the passion and leadership that the men and women of the 914th bring to the table both at home in our community, and when deployed," said Cooper. "We are happy that they call Niagara home."