This year's winners wrote essays on the current topic of: “What improvements are necessary in the resource management profession as resources and personnel continue to decline? Describe how to implement the proposed improvements.” Congratulations to the winners – and watch for the winning essays soon.

First Place

Christopher Babcock, National Guard Chapter

Chris Babcock is a Director with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC).  He has over twenty-five years of experience in federal and defense financial management, including expertise in budgeting and obligation / expenditure management and execution at Federal appropriation and Army command levels, as well as experience supporting multiple large-scale financial management and payroll/personnel ERP developments and implementations. Chris is also a retired Army financial management officer, with over 26 years of active and reserve officer and enlisted service.  He graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, and obtained a Master of Business Administration degree through the Army Comptrollership Program at Syracuse University.  Chris is a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and a Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A).

Second Place

Major Mary Mangum, Aloha Chapter

Major Mary Mangum is currently the Chief of Base Integration for Financial Management Directorate, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HI. She holds a BA from The George Washington University and a Masters from Websters University.  She has 10 years of resource management experience in program management and finance management for the US Air Force.  

Third Place

Cathy Ho, Mount Vernon Chapter

Cathy Ho is a Senior Financial Management Analyst working for the Cost & Resource Integration Division, Cost & Economics Directorate, ASA (Financial Management & Comptroller). Ms. Ho has 20 years of experience in the Army and OSD (C) providing expertise in auditing, budgeting, programming, cost benefit analysis, and financial management. She is a Certified Defense Financial Manager – Acquisition. Ms. Ho is also a Certified Chief Information Officer from National Defense University.