WASHINGTON, DC—On Oct. 25, 2023, Law Enforcement and Investigations Director Tracy Perry and Deputy Director Wilmer “Gene” Smithson presented fiscal year 2022 LEI Director’s Awards to 22 highly deserving individuals.

Employees and LEI partners were nominated in 12 award categories based on remarkable dedication and outstanding achievements in support of the Forest Service priorities and LEI core values of honor, courage and commitment.

Recipients of the prestigious 2022 LEI Director’s Award were recognized in San Antonio at a ceremony in their honor and received a commemorative wood plaque with a hand-crafted LEI badge.

Please join us in congratulating the following recipients and all individuals who were nominated by their peers to receive this special recognition.

Administrative Staff Team Member of the Year
Barbara “Barb” Fuller, Program Support Assistant, Eastern Region

Outstanding Line Support to the LEI Program
Susan Catton, Public Services Team Lead, Eastern Region

Forest Protection Officer of the Year
Tanner Wise, Dispersed Recreation Lead, Intermountain Region

Outstanding Legal Support
Luke McLaurin, Assistant United States Attorney 
United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Outstanding Leadership
James Alford, Special Agent in Charge, Southwestern Region

Team Excellence
Law Enforcement and Investigations National Academy 
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center:

Recipients: Assistant Director Curtis Davis, Deputy Assistant Director Aaron Dobson, Senior Special Agent Brandon Robinson, Special Agent Jarvis Alexander, Special Agent Lee Dillivan, Special Agent Adam Hill, Supervisory Program Specialist Mary Lihou, Equipment Specialist Mike Beckham, Property Technician Justin Nicholson, Program Specialist Alysia Belangie, and Administrative Staff Assistant Joyce Harris

Bravery, Valor, or Heroic Act
Jennifer Linn, Patrol Captain, Pacific Southwest Region

Director’s Impact
Bernard Taylor, Budget Analyst, Washington Office

Director’s Impact
Brandon Robinson, Senior Special Agent, National Academy

Director’s Impact
Thomas Hughes, Patrol Captain, Southwestern Region

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Carlos Smith, Law Enforcement Officer, Southwestern Region

Special Agent of the Year
Tyler Bolen, Criminal Investigator, Pacific Southwest Region

For a complete list of all the winners, photos and additional information on each award follow this link.