AGENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
The ASSOCATION is proud to Recognize an Active Duty CGIS Special Agent each year. This award is given on recommendation of the Director of CGIS and his staff at Coast Guard Headquarters. Our First Award was given at our Charleston Reunion banquet. Each recipient will be honored on this page. The second was given at the Phoenix Reunion.
First Recipient
Special Agent Helena Chavez of the Northwest Region of CGIS was selected. Special Agent Chavez has been with CGIS Northwest Region since December 2006. Prior to this she was a Special Agent and Assistant Special Agent in-Charge with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General in New York, Fort Worth and Austin, Texas. Throughout her federal law enforcement career she served as case agent for a number of high profile criminal investigations including felony UCMJ offenses, environmental crimes, fraud, accidental death, assault, counterfeiting, and larceny. Her investigations have resulted in fines and restitution in excess of 14 million dollars and over 200 convictions.
Congratulations to Ms. Chavez.
Second Recipient

Acting Director David Leighton, CGIS, and Coast Guard Investigative Association (CGIA) President Howard Giblin are pleased to announce that Resident Agent-in-Charge (RAC) Jamie Tracy, Resident Agent Office Corpus Christi, TX has been selected as the 2012 CGIS Special Agent of the Year. The exceptional efforts of RAC Tracy merited his selection for this prestigious honor. RAC Tracy was formally honored last week at the annual CGIA National Conference in Phoenix, AZ, attended by SAC Damon Rodriguez, CGIS Gulf Region, and the leadership and members of the CGIA.
Congratulations to RAC Tracy and the following nominees who were also considered for the 2012 CGIS Special Agent of the Year award. Their efforts exemplify the very best of CGIS and the U.S. Coast Guard, and each should be justifiable proud of their dedication and devotion to duty:
S/A James Head, CGIS RAO Savannah, GA
S/A Eric Hayes, CGIS RAO Detroit, MI
S/A Matthew Margelot, CGIS RAO Jacksonville, FL
The annual CGIS Special Agent of the Year award program is the result of the collaborative efforts of the CGIA and CGIS, and is indicative of the special relationship between the CGIS and the members of the CGIA and our shared experiences and history with the Coast Guard Investigations Program. Bravo Zulu to RAC Tracy and the other nominees considered!
Congratulations to RAC Tracy and the following nominees who were also considered for the 2012 CGIS Special Agent of the Year award. Their efforts exemplify the very best of CGIS and the U.S. Coast Guard, and each should be justifiable proud of their dedication and devotion to duty:
S/A James Head, CGIS RAO Savannah, GA
S/A Eric Hayes, CGIS RAO Detroit, MI
S/A Matthew Margelot, CGIS RAO Jacksonville, FL
The annual CGIS Special Agent of the Year award program is the result of the collaborative efforts of the CGIA and CGIS, and is indicative of the special relationship between the CGIS and the members of the CGIA and our shared experiences and history with the Coast Guard Investigations Program. Bravo Zulu to RAC Tracy and the other nominees considered!
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