Announces Recipient of the Ron Brown Excellence in Innovation Award

Yesterday, U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves joined Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration Jeremy Pelter, in announcing individual, group, and organizational Gold and Silver Medal Awards to employees at the Department’s 75^th Honor Awards. The Gold and Silver Honor Awards are the highest level of recognition that the Department of Commerce presents to employees for distinguished performance.

In a message to employees, Commerce Secretary Raimondo thanked gold and silver honorees for the service, humility, and dignity they bring to their jobs every day as well as their dedication in going above and beyond to deliver on the Commerce Department’s mission.

“The public servants who are receiving awards this year have used their talent, expertise, and extraordinary work ethic to make progress on a broad range of issues that are core to America’s success,” said Secretary Raimondo. “Because of their dedication, these exceptional employees have enabled the Commerce Department to fuel innovation, protect our country, and ensure that every community in America has the opportunity to grow and flourish.”

During his remarks at the ceremony, Deputy Secretary Graves echoed this sentiment and applauded Commerce employees as the best in Federal government who consistently apply their talents and expertise across a broad range of programs, including connecting every American to high-speed Internet, training a 21^st Century workforce, strengthening U.S. trade partnerships, or ensuring our country’s climate resilience.

“I like to refer to the Department of Commerce as ‘America’s Hall Closet,’ because no matter what you need, you can always find it in your hall closet,” said Deputy Secretary Graves. “Across our 13 bureaus, our 47,000 talented, devoted employees are engaged in important efforts all aimed at serving the American people. Those honored here today set a standard for each of us to strive toward.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Deputy Secretary Graves announced the recipient of the Ron Brown Excellence in Innovation Award. This award honors the extraordinary leadership, legacy, and memory of the former Secretary of Commerce and is given to a person or team who exhibits extraordinary resourcefulness, develops novel, unique, and cutting-edge solutions, and takes calculated risks that result in creative answers and improved customer service. The award was presented to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Serial Cytometry team for pioneering the real-time cell analysis required to support early cancer diagnosis.

Every year since 1949, the Department has honored its most esteemed employees with individual, group, and organizational Gold and Silver Medals. These are the most prestigious Department awards. Yesterday, 96 awards were given, including 54 Gold Medals and 42 Silver Medals, encompassing 597 employees and organizations. 

Gold or Silver Medals are awarded in the following seven categories:  Leadership, Personal and Professional Excellence, Scientific/Engineering Achievement, Organizational Development, Customer Service, Administrative/Technical Support, and Heroism.

Watch the 75th Annual Honor Awards below.