IMCOM welcomes new deputy commanding general

By Jade FulceNovember 6, 2013

IMCOM Welcomes MG Nichols in a Ceremony
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MG Nichols speaking at her IMCOM Welcome Ceremony
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IMCOM focuses on wellness at townhall
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SAN ANTONIO (Nov. 1, 2013) - U.S. Army Installation Management Command welcomed Maj. Gen. Camille Nichols to the team as the new Deputy Commanding General for Operations and Chief of Staff in a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston Theater.

More than 200 Army senior leaders, civilians, friends and guests gathered to recognize Nichols' accomplishments and to welcome her to the Installation Management Community and San Antonio.

"She was handpicked for this position and we are blessed to have her," said Lt. Gen. Mike Ferriter, IMCOM commanding general. "She knows the business of taking care of people. She's knows the business of transforming."

In her previous assignments, Nichols was U.S. Army Contracting Command's first commanding general and served as program executive officer, Program Executive Office Soldier, at Fort Belvoir, Va.

Nichols has more than 25 years experience in Department of Defense acquisition. She has also served in various engineer jobs earlier in her career as an engineer officer in tactical engineering units. Nichols has a unique distinction as a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic women's handball team, serving as manager and assistant coach.

"Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your team," said Nichols. "I look forward to meeting and spending time with all of you."

Nichols enlisted in the Army in 1975 in her home town of Niagara Falls, N.Y. In 1981, she was commissioned as an engineer officer upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

After Nichols' welcoming ceremony, IMCOM held its monthly town hall, which focused on employee appreciation and wellness.

Paul Smith, the new IMCOM wellness program coordinator, said wellness is not just physical, it's a lifestyle.

"I wasn't eating properly," said Smith, a transitioned Soldier. "I was used to running four to five times a week. However, I started a sedentary job, working 8, 10, 12 hours a day and the pounds started building up."

Smith shared his personal story: How he changed his diet and started walking 45 minutes during his lunch period, resulting in a 20-pound weight loss in two-and-a-half months. Smith cautions that wellness means different things to everyone, so it's up to the individual to make changes in his or her life.

"This is your program - success depends on you," said Smith.

The town hall ended with IMCOM command team thanking employees for their dedication and service. "We have the best team in the DoD," said IMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Earl Rice.

Related Links:

Army IMCOM Twitter

MG Nichols' Welcome Ceremony and IMCOM Town hall on Flickr

U.S. Army Installation Management Command Homepage

Army IMCOM Facebook