Innovator of the Month

RAF MENWITH HILL, United Kingdom - Col. Brian Kelly, 501st Combat Support Wing commander, presents the Innovator of the Month Award to Tech. Sgt. William Rudd, 421st Air Base Group. Rudd developed an all-volunteer tax program, after the group did not have funding this year to hire a person to run the tax center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ave Young)

Innovator of the Month

Published March 21, 2012

RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom -- The 501st Combat Support Wing recently named the Innovator of the Month for February.

Tech. Sgt. William Rudd, 421st Air Base Group, was recognized for developing an all-volunteer tax program, after the group did not have funding this year to hire a person to run the tax center.

He delivered more than 32 hours of training to equip the volunteers to deliver tax preparation services to a base population of more than 4,500. Finally, he coordinated with the IRS to develop and implement a modified tax filing review process that allowed the 421st ABG Judge Advocate to oversee the tax program and provide a final quality control review for the volunteers.

His work resulted in a savings of $12,500, which would normally be spent to fund the full-time civilian position.