Charleston, SC – December 8, 2016 – Sentar announced today that one of its employees, Mr. Nathan (Nate) Swab, USAF Retired, was recently awarded the Regional Distinguished Young AFCEANS Award (DYA) for the Carolina’s Region. The Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award recognizes and rewards exceptional performance in two areas: superior technical achievement in the professional arena and a record of going “above and beyond” at the local AFCEA Chapter level. Honorees represent an elite group of individuals. Awards will be presented at AFCEA West Conference, San Diego, 21-23 February 2017. Joining Nate at the awards presentation are Sentar President, Catalyst & CEO, Bridget Abashian and VP (DHA, SPAWAR, Navy & Marine Corps) April Nadeau.
Nate became involved with the Lowcountry Young AFCEANs in 2013 while on active duty with the Air Force, serving as an AFCEA military liaison. After retiring from the Air Force in 2014, Nate reengaged with AFCEA and became highly active with STEM scholarships, presenting awards and mentoring students. Last year, Nate’s enthusiasm and passion have helped revitalize events and increase chapter membership by 25% percent. Nate helped increase chapter visibility within the military community while encouraging his chapter to become involved in new STEM endeavors.
Nate’s contributions to AFCEA are felt throughout the Chapter and the community. Nate currently serves on the Lowcountry Chapter’s Board of Directors as Secretary and although his primary efforts lie within the military liaison and Young AFCEA roles, he spreads his support across many committees including Military Liaison Chair, Young AFCEA Deputy Chair, Golf Committee, STEM Committee, Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition (PCDC) Committee, and PR Committee. Nate also serves as the webmaster for the local chapter. Nate teams with other AFCEA and Industry partners to plan and find sponsors for the South Carolina Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition. This top-class, state-wide competition brings out the best-of-the-best young cyber security specialists. Nate is also dedicated to supporting our youth, especially those with a STEM focus and is equally passionate about professional mentoring for military members. As a mentor, Nate provides opportunities and encourages involvement in the community to assist veterans in developing relationships to ease their transition from the military.
Within Sentar, Nate serves as the Cybersecurity IA Compliance Team Lead and the Company’s support to the Defense Health Agency (DHA). In this capacity, Nate works with various functional teams and activities within the DHA and across associated Service lines. In addition, Nate supports Sentar’s business development and capture strategy efforts and contributes to corresponding capabilities identification, development, and sustainment. Nate has more than 18 years management and execution experience within cyber security, MILCOM, policy, technology, quality assurance, and communications domains. Nate proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as an RF Transmission Systems craftsman. In this capacity, he served as RF/Cyber Operations subject matter expert and led initiatives in quality assurance as well as command cyber readiness inspections. Nate holds an Associate’s Degree in Electronic Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity Management and Policy at the University of Maryland, University College.
About the Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award
The Regional Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award recognizes and rewards exceptional performance in four areas: leadership and guidance for the Young AFCEAN program; superior technical achievement in the professional arena; a record of going “above and beyond” at the local AFCEA chapter or region level; and mentoring provided for other Young AFCEANs. The AFCEA Regional Vice Presidents have the honor to personally select an individual from their Region to receive the Regional Distinguished Young AFCEAN Award. These honorees represent an elite group of individuals, and one of them is voted Distinguished Young AFCEAN of the Year.