Congratulations to the 2024 Chapter Leaders of the Year!
This award is given to recognize individuals for outstanding continuous leadership, accomplishments and support of the society at the chapter level.
Elizabeth McCullough, CDFM-A, Redstone Huntsville Chapter
Elizabeth McCullough joined ASMC in 1988 and received her Certified Defense Financial Management (CDFM) on 26 May 2011, and CDFM-A on 25 April 2012. Liz is a lifetime member of ASMC and is currently employed with the United States Army Corps of Engineers as the Director of the Directorate of Resource Management. Liz is selfless the type of individual who isn’t volunteering for recognition, but sharing the knowledge she has obtained through the years and helping those in need.
Liz is a natural leader with the highest ethical and professional standards. Liz has been the Certifications Committee Chairman over the past five (5) terms, sharing the same vision and taking the program to new heights. Despite struggles and challenges throughout COVID and much of the workforce teleworking, she has made it a point to assist those trying to obtain certifications that would enhance their skills in the workplace. This committee promotes certifications by providing information, conducting training, and sponsoring study groups. This committee is also responsible for coordinating and planning additional training sessions (brown bag, seminars) on topics of interest to our membership.
Liz is actively involved and participates in monthly board meetings, monthly Professional Development Events, and CDFM study groups. Liz has also supported national initiatives and is always willing to provide help to other committees. During our Mini PDI event, Liz stepped in as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) when the Training and Education Committee Chair was unavailable due to a personal emergency. Liz may not know how impactful she has been to this Chapter, but without great people like Liz, we simply could not and would not do all the great things we are doing as an ASMC Chapter.
Lillian D. Powell, Cleveland Chapter
Lillian Powell, President of the Cleveland Chapter, is a pillar of the chapter’s leadership team. She has served the chapter in a variety of roles. In her current role, she administered implementation of monthly hybrid lunch and learn sessions, balancing the flexibilities of virtual learning opportunities with the benefits of face-to-face networking. As President-Elect, she managed the chapter’s Community Service Committee and expanded volunteer opportunities to capture new causes. In 2018 and 2019, while serving as the Vice President of Membership, Lillian organized and oversaw membership drives, and briefed target audiences on the benefits of membership. As a result, she received Membership Recruitment and Growth Awards both years she held the position.
Throughout the duration of her time with the chapter, she has been an avid supporter of the Community Service and Programs Committees. One of the Cleveland Chapter’s most active volunteers, Lillian routinely serves neighbors throughout the community in partnership with the Cleveland Food Bank. She has supported Wreaths Across America, and spearheaded chapter participation in the Walk to End Lupus Now, in addition to participating in other volunteer activities with the chapter. As a Programs Committee member, she works tirelessly to ensure chapter members have access to high quality speakers and continuous professional education opportunities by supporting local PDI planning and monthly lunch and learn sessions. Lillian is a servant leader in every sense of the word, setting a standard for the Cleveland Chapter to aspire to.
SSgt Cory Gibson, Vandenberg Space and Missile Chapter
SSgt Cory Gibson revitalized the Vandenberg Space and Missile Chapter in 2022, becoming chapter secretary that same year. His leadership and consistent communication regarding the purpose of the ASMC local chapter motivated volunteers to create a website, which is currently under development as web hosting options are being explored. The chapter revival also resulted in the forming of a study group for CDFM/CDFM-A certification, in which four professionals currently participate. As the Secretary of the newly revitalized chapter in 2022, SSgt Gibson supported the Vandenberg Space and Missile Chapter luncheons and social evenst, which numerous members and non-members attended.
As an NCOIC and ASMC leader, SSgt Gibson implemented best practices across three sections, guiding VSFB to #1 in the Space Force for six metrics. He also piloted testing for a new HHQ tool, consolidating eight financial reports into one and identifying six deficiencies before the AF rollout. SSgt Gibson drove the first pre-deployment processing line in 10 years for one squadron and 28 Agencies, ensuring alignment with AFFORGEN readiness standards. He streamlined deployment requirements for 65 personnel, reduced training time by 93%, and returned 374 hours of productivity to mission needs. He handled tasks efficiently and exceeded expectations, resulting in his selection as Flt NCOIC. Sgt Gibson’s guidance and mentorship of peers propelled his squadron’s FY23 MAJCOM/FM Comptroller of the Year win.
To date, the chapter has grown to almost 25 members and is continuing to impact the progfessional development of those members. As the current Vice President, SSgt Gibson will be spearheading the planning of our inaugural Vandenberg Space and Missile Chapter’s first-ever mini-PDI, scheduled for Jan – Feb 2025.