Though it was extremely hot – mid-90s – employees of the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville braved the temperatures to attend the annual organization day picnic at Monte Sano State Park June 10.
The annual event serves as a celebration of the Huntsville Center’s origins back in October 1967, the Army’s Birthday – June 14, number 241 this year – and the birthday of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – June 16, also 241.
The day kicks off with an awards ceremony honoring Huntsville Center employees who have been doing an outstanding job for the past year, as well as a retired employee who is inducted into the Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees.
“I would like to have said some words about everyone,” said Col. Robert Ruch, Huntsville Center’s former commander who returned for the day to present the awards and say thank you one last time. “How do you say who is the best in the Center – it’s so hard, we have so many great people here.”
Anyone can nominate a fellow employee for an award. Individual winners received a trophy; team winners received a medallion. This year, the winners are:
- Administrative Support Employee of the Year – Diana Gregory
- Employee of the Year – LaShonda Smith
- Contracting Professional of the Year – Geordelle Charles
- Project Manager of the Year – Tara Clark
- Innovator of the Year – Bob Selfridge
- Resource Management Employee of the Year – Sarajane Rubert
- Engineer of the Year – Brian Spear
- Commander’s Leadership Award – Crystal Bennett Echols
- Commander’s Diversity Award – Valerie Clinkenbeard
- Commander’s Leadership Diversity Award – Gina Elliott
- Project Delivery Team of the Year – Environmental Footprint Reduction, Afghanistan
- Volunteer of the Year – Juan Pace
- Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees – Ralph Schuler
The rest of the day featured food trucks, softball and volleyball games, bingo, corn hole, horseshoes, card games and a variety of activities for children.