Emerging Leadership Award Winners

Chris Cannavaro

Booz Allen Hamilton

Northern Virginia Chapter

Chris Cannavaro has provided exceptional support to NOVA Chapter activities and the YAFCEAN program. Currently Chair of the Young AFCEANs, he serves on the NOVA Board and is responsible for the YAFCEAN mission, goals, activities, and budget for the year. He planned an aggressive calendar of events and recruited volunteers to lead each event. He coordinated joint events to build cooperative relationships with YAFCEANs from other Chapters. Chris leads the YAFCEANs in support of the Chapter goals, fostering growth of Government personnel among its membership and increasing volunteerism on the Chapter’s committees. His leadership and dedication to the AFCEA mission are invaluable.

Jennifer S. Kyle

Pangia Technologies, LLC

Central Maryland Chapter

Ms. Kyle has conceptualized and implemented the Central Maryland Chapter’s Professional Development Seminar Program, has supported the AFCEA Central Maryland Scientific Education Committee, and has led the coordinated documentation for the Young AFCEAN Advisory Council enabling information sharing with other Young AFCEAN Chapters. This year, Ms. Kyle is the Chapter’s Vice President of Events providing leadership and oversight for the Chapter’s Bull & Oyster Roast, Valentines Ball and Technology Over Bagels Program. 

Clifford Nelson

Future Technologies and Supply

Dayton-Wright Chapter

Clifford Nelson is currently the Vice President for the Dayton-Wright Chapter’s Young AFCEAN Program. As a result of his interaction with the younger generation, Clifford provides “hands on” support to programs including “Forging Responsible Youth” and “Kids In New Directions”, the Chapter’s Chairman of the Board special endeavors, both of which target inner-city kids with after school activities that foster computer literacy. He co-founded a communications and business technology company which specifically employs students from his alma mater vocational school, enabling them to utilize their education in the rapidly expanding IT field.

Kyriakos C. Theophanous

Air Force Weather Agency

Greater Omaha Chapter

Mr. Kyriakos (Kirk) Theophanous is the Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Greater Omaha Chapter. Through his efforts, the Chapter has awarded over $35,000 in scholarships and awards to future and current college students and Young AFCEANs. Mr. Theophanous was recently selected into the Legislative Fellows Program, the only Air Force civilian selected for this prestigious program. His support of AFCEA, his drive for mission accomplishment and his desire to further his professional goals have earned him AFCEA’s Emerging Leadership Award.

Jennifer Walker

Pangia Technologies, LLC

Central Maryland Chapter

Ms. Walker has supported the AFCEA Central Maryland Scientific Education Committee and has been involved in all Chapter Young AFCEAN programs and events. As the Vice President of the Chapter’s Young AFCEAN Advisory Council, Ms. Walker continuously volunteers for events including the Bull & Oyster Roast, the Valentines Ball, and Mentorship Nights, often leading key areas. Ms. Walker has consistently and actively driven membership growth, especially in the Young AFCEAN program.

1st Lt Lily Yeung-Wagner, USAF

616th Air and Space Communications Squadron

Kaiserslautern Chapter

Lieutenant Lily Yeung-Wagner is the Kaiserslautern Chapter’s Scholarships and Awards chair. In 2006, she presented over $20,000 to 60 scholarship recipients, acquired $1,000 for a new Science Teaching Tools award, and volunteered to raise money at numerous Chapter fundraisers to benefit the scholarship program. She was also instrumental in the Chapter receiving the 2004 and 2005 Model Chapter of the Year awards and crafted the 2006 package to ensure all milestones are achieved. She is the first to volunteer for any service, anywhere, anytime.