Aviano's Finest - Italian Civilian Category Published June 16, 2009 AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Unit: 31st Force Support Squadron How long have you worked at Aviano Air Base? 28 years Title of address: Signora First & Last Name: Mina Tardio Norwood Duty Title: Education Services Assistant/Resource Advisor Name of town/city and Italian province you are from: Brindisi How do you support the 31st Fighter Wing mission? I am the resource advisor for education and training, the career assistance advisor, Airman Leadership School and First Term Airmen Center. I ensure money is available to pay bills, and insure prompt payment and programming. I collect tuition assistance reimbursement to insure no funds are lost, and reimburse Airmen promptly when needed. I also manage the spouse tuition assistance budget which allows family members access to higher education while stationed in Europe. What's one thing you've learned about America's history, people and culture? America is a great country. It's the land of opportunities being a mixture of cultures and races, but regardless of the background, Americans will always pull together and be Americans. A lot of countries need to take Americans as an example. What's one advantage of working with Americans? Being around young and dynamic people keeps me young too. Why I nominated Signora Norwood as one of Aviano's Finest? "Signora Norwood manages a budget valued at more than $2.8 million encompassing tuition assistance, supplies, infrastructure requirements, and seven contracts. She does an impeccable job of managing this tremendous budget and does so with zero errors. She provides stabilization within the Aviano Education and Training Center as the one employee who has longevity. Singora Norwood deserves to be recognized for her dedication to our section, flight and squadron." - Kate Haworth, 31st Force Support Squadron Education and Training chief