AMC Hall of Fame Class of 2014: Former clerk joined ranks of senior executives

When Isabelle Hansen retired, she had no idea she would be receiving recognition for the work she did for the Army some 30 years later.

But Hansen will be inducted into the Army Materiel Command's Hall of Fame Class of 2014, within two years of her induction into both the Ordnance Corps and Ammunition Halls of Fame.

"It's a great honor," Hansen said. "At the same time, I have to recognize that any such honor is the result of a joint effort. I'm fully aware of that."

Hansen credits the acquisition community at Rock Island Arsenal for their support while she was the deputy for procurement and production. And while she is pleased with her entire career, which began for her as a clerk during World War II, Hansen said she is most proud of her accomplishments she achieved in that position.

Hansen supervised and directed the establishment of an annual procurement program of about $5 billion. She also oversaw the procurement and production related matters from the acquisition of weapons and ammunition components through end-item loading for delivery to the user.

Ammunition Executive Seminars established by Hansen are credited with fostering community between government and commercial ammunition producers. She also created the Plant Utilization Policy that saved about $22 million by permitting government owned contractor operated ammunition plants to bid on additional work.

Hansen began her Army civilian service career as a clerk at the Engineer Depot in Granite City, Illinois. Hansen took a six-year break before returning to serve as a typist with the procurement branch at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. She began earning promotions in the procurement field, and by 1976, she had become the first female in the Armament Materiel Command to reach the grade of GS-15.

Hansen was later promoted to the Senior Executive Service, whose members serve in key positions just below the top presidential appointees. She was the first woman within what is now AMC to be promoted to the Senior Executive Service ranks. She was also one of only four women at the time to serve as a senior service member within the Department of the Army.