Since 2003, TFAS has recognized successful and dedicated alumni with achievement and service awards.

The Alumni Awards recognize the distinguished accomplishments of alumni and commend their dedication and service to TFAS and the world. As a thank-you to these outstanding individuals, TFAS honors exceptional alumni each year in three categories.

Young Alumnus Award: Under 30 with notable achievements or commitment to TFAS.
Kevin Burket Service Award: Recognizing significant TFAS service.
Alumni Achievement Award: Celebrating professional excellence.

This year’s award winners are:

Matthew King, Rago ’19

Young Alumnus Award

Lieutenant Matthew Taylor King, Rago ’19, is an active-duty Navy officer based in Washington, D.C. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 2022 and completed a deployment to the Middle East with a joint task force in 2024. Before joining the Navy, King worked on the editorial pages of The Wall Street Journal through TFAS as a Joseph Rago Memorial Fellow and served as an aide to Dr. Henry Kissinger, assisting with “Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy.” He graduated from Duke University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and earned a master’s degree from Sciences Po in 2021. He enjoys traveling, reading, hosting dinner parties, co-leading a weekly Bible study and going on long runs by the river.

About the Young Alumnus Award
Recipients must be 30 or under. They must show great promise or have identifiable accomplishments in their chosen profession, or have exemplified a commitment to TFAS through fundraising or volunteering time to further the mission of the organization.

Pasquale DiFrancesco ’13

Kevin Burket Service Award

Pasquale (Pat) DiFrancesco ’13, is an experienced public affairs professional who works with academics and organizations to develop and communicate policy ideas on complex issues, including energy, healthcare, trade, regulation, technology and innovation. DiFrancesco has dedicated his career to bringing enthusiasm and smart solutions to help the individuals and organizations he works with advance their missions and objectives.

DiFrancesco’s diverse background and skills involve working across the political spectrum with nonprofits, corporations, industry associations, presidential foundations and state legislatures. Among his experiences, DiFrancesco has grown and managed a corporate fundraising portfolio, worked on federal and state policy coalitions, executed an advocacy campaign and launched an academic internship program in Washington, D.C.

Most recently, DiFrancesco served as manager of corporate and external relations at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University⁠, the world’s premier university source for market-oriented research and ideas. In this role, he worked with academic scholars to build and implement innovative strategies to engage and educate lawmakers and policy practitioners about their research.

Prior to this experience, DiFrancesco worked at Advanced Energy Economy with a core team to design and execute a bipartisan, multi-state gubernatorial and legislative education campaign during the 2018 elections. He has also previously worked for The Fund for American Studies, Babst Calland Attorneys at Law and former Pennsylvania Democratic Whip Michael Hanna.

DiFrancesco holds a master’s degree in economics from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental studies from Allegheny College. He is a 2018 Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) fellow, a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s (AEI) Leadership Network and serves on The Fund for American Studies Board of Regents and Alumni Engagement Committee. As an undergraduate, DiFrancesco was a Bonner AmeriCorps Scholar, completing more than 1,700 hours of community service focused on civic and community engagement and economic empowerment. He’s a Pittsburgh native and classic country music fan.

About the Kevin Burket Service Award
Recipients have volunteered a considerable amount of time to TFAS, either by recruiting students for program participation, serving in the alumni mentoring program, speaking to students, providing internships, or serving on a board or committee.

Desiree Koetzle ’02, PPF ’07

Alumni Achievement Award

Desiree Koetzle ’02, PPF ’07, is a 2003 graduate of St. Cloud State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She is a 2002 alumna of the TFAS Business + Government Relations Program. She currently serves as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, (R-MN-08), her hometown district.

Previously, Koetzle served as deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, (R-MN-03), and also worked at Blank Rome Government Relations and Koch Industries, Public Sector. Koetzle lives in McLean, Virginia, with her husband and two sons.

About the Alumni Achievement Award
Recipients have achieved considerable success in a professional field or endeavor, have attained significant recognition in their career, embody the values, ideals and potential of an alumnus or alumna of a TFAS program.