Local business man receives highest civilian award

  • Published
  • By Airmen 1st Class Alexander Brown
  • 439AWPA
WESTOVER, Mass. --  George M. Condos was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award during a ceremony Feb. 4 at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

The award, which is the highest honor a civilian can be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force, was earned for his advocacy of Air Force issues and for his dedicated support of Airmen and their families while serving as a member of the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program.

As an Air Force civic leader Mr. Condos served as a key communicator and advocate for Air Force issues. He provided ideas and feedback to the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of staff, and other Air Force senior leaders about how missions can best be accomplished in his area.

Mr. Condos was the key communicator between the Air Force and the civilian community near Westover ARB, Mass. In this role, he explained and interpreted Air Force programs, positions, and problems to other people through his personal contacts and to the general public through statements, appearances and speeches.

Mr. Condos served in the Civic Leader Program from 2008-2011. This began when he realized that there was not enough support financially for military members when deployed, so he changed it so that military members could receive more money while deployed.

"It is unfair for our servicemen to have to worry about home finances while they are away serving our country at the same time that we in the US are enjoying our freedom," said Mr. Condos.

Once in the Civic Leader Program Mr. Condos used his 20 years of experience at Dunkin Donuts as the vice president of marketing, development and operation, and area vice president of marketing for the Northeast to lead the program for three years. After which he was nominated and awarded the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award.

"I am honored to receive the recognition but truthfully, I am undeserving of the award," said Mr. Condos. "I feel strongly that all of us as business leaders in our communities should do even more to support our servicemen and women who are serving us in the war zone and here at home. "