PUERTO RICO —Fourteen employees from the International Institute of Tropical Forestry were recognized with awards and an honorable mention as part of this year's Federal Employee of the Year Awards program. The event was carried out by the Federal Executive Association of Puerto Rico.

This program acknowledges exceptional and meritorious contributions fostering high performance standards within the Federal Government. This year, IITF employees secured awards in three of seven categories.

Shirley Prado Sanabria, executive assistant, received recognition in the "Clerical Support" category. Her achievement reflects her support for diverse initiatives and the establishment of benchmarks that have improved several facets of Civil Rights, Work Environment, and the Employee Assistance Program.

In the "Trades and Crafts" category, Eduardo Castro Morales, IITF maintenance worker, received an award for his exceptional contributions to addressing technical and maintenance needs and innovative solutions to diverse infrastructure challenges.

The IITF Research Team—Carlos Estrada-Ruiz, Dr. Tamara Heartsill-Scalley, Dr. Eileen Helmer, Maysaá Ittayem, María M. Rivera, Humberto Robles, Carlos D. Rodríguez, Dr. Miriam Salgado Herrera, Carlos M. Torrens-Santos, Jamarys Torres-Díaz, Iván F. Vicéns, and Dr. Tana E. Wood—secured the award in the "Scientific" category. This recognition celebrates their establishment and maintenance of long-term, cross-site field studies that advance understanding of tropical forest responses to ongoing social and environmental changes. Lastly, Maya Quiñones Zavála, received an honorable mention for her work towards improving customer service to private forest landowners in Puerto Rico and the US. Virgin Islands.

"We take immense pride in our awardees whose exceptional contributions exceed their official responsibilities" stated Dr. Grizelle González, director of IITF. "Their outstanding efforts truly highlight their unwavering commitment to the agency’s values, the institute's mission and the USDA".