As we wrap up Public Service Recognition Week, I want to thank all of the amazing employees we have here at the Commerce Department for their work in supporting America’s businesses and workers. You are the reason we keep America “Open for Business” every day.

I want to extend special congratulations to some outstanding employees that have recently been recognized for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals. The award, affectionately known as the “Sammies” highlights excellence in our federal workforce and inspires other talented and dedicated individuals to go into public service. The Sammies are a highly respected honor and I’m proud to announce we have four finalists from the Department of Commerce.

• Gretchen Campbell is a physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and is a pioneer and intellectual leader of a new theoretical field of physics known as atomtronics.
• Ron Ross, a fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a preeminent leader in helping the government better secure its information systems. He developed the first set of unified information security standards and guidelines for all federal agencies.
• Richard Feely, a senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has done pioneering research demonstrating the ecological damage to the oceans and sea life from carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from human activity.
• Robert Bunge, Michael Gerber and the Wireless Emergency Alerts Team at NOAA saved countless lives by developing a fast and geographically targeted cell phone alert system for weather emergencies such as tornadoes and flash floods.

These finalists represent a small sample of the innovative work being done by Department of Commerce employees to create jobs, move industries forward, and save lives.

I also want to ensure we do everything we can to recruit and retain the best and brightest talent out there. If you or someone you know would be a great fit at the Commerce Department, I encourage you to go to USAJobs.gov to explore the thousands of federal government job openings in communities nationwide.

Thank you again for your hard work and happy Public Service Recognition Week!