On 13 August 2025, Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Executive Director, CARICOM IMPACS, was awarded the 2025 William J. Perry Award for Excellence in Security and Defense Education (The Perry Award). Additionally, CARICOM IMPACS was awarded the William J. Perry Institutional Award.

Every year, the William J. Perry Centre (WPC) honours the legacy of Mr. William J. Perry, a former United States (US) Secretary of Defense, through The Perry Award. Annually, the Award is bestowed on an individual and institution. The Award specifically recognises contributions to security and defense education, fostering cooperation and strengthening institutional capacity in the Americas.

According to the WPC website:

"Awardees may be either individuals who, or organizations that, through education, research, outreach, and/or scholastic leadership, have contributed to the knowledge base of defense and security practitioners, advanced a cooperative international security environment, and/or promoted sustainable institutional capacity in the Americas. Awardees will have made sustained contributions in their fields in a manner consistent with the Perry Center’s mission."

CARICOM IMPACS takes this opportunity to congratulate Col. Jones and to express gratitude on behalf of every staff member for his vision and leadership.

Mr. Juan Erardo Battaleme Martínez, Argentina’s Secretary of International Affairs for Defense, was also bestowed this year’s Perry Award along with Col. Jones.