Fort Riley, Kansas, garrison team hosts holiday events

By Hannah Kleopfer, Fort Riley Public AffairsDecember 23, 2015

Deborah Wilkerson of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security was named the November employee of the month
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Deborah Wilkerson of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort Riley, Kansas, was named the November employee of the month for developing an appraisal process that enabled supervisors to include all supporting documents in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Diana McGee of with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Fort Riley, Kansaswas named the October Employee of the Month
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Diana McGee was named the October Employee of the Month for her outstanding work and leadership with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Fort Riley, Kansas. She is joined by Fort Riley garrison CSM Jason Schmidt (far left)... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY, Kan. - Rotisserie chicken, deviled eggs and cheesecake lured Fort Riley garrison employees to the basement of building 407 for the annual holiday potluck, hosted by the Garrison team members.

"It was a pleasure and blessing to be a part of the annual Garrison Christmas Potluck," said Col. Andrew Cole Jr., Fort Riley garrison commander.

Cole went on to say the potluck was an opportunity for fellowship, for employees to share company and keep in mind that garrison staff members comprise a great workforce.

"Some of us will enter this holiday season without someone close who has passed on this year. Coming together allowed us to bring them close, comfort them and focus on the goodness around us as we move into the New Year. I am thankful for the teamwork expressed by all in 2015 and look forward to working together in 2016."

After employees enjoyed a large meal, everyone adjourned upstairs for the combined October and November Garrison Awards Ceremony. During the ceremony, the employee of each month was handed a certificate and a $500 check.

The October employee of the month was Diana McGee, who was recognized for her outstanding work and leadership with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. In a moment of surprise, tears welled up in her eyes as she walked up to receive her award and check.

"I wasn't expecting it at all because I'm a manager," McGee said. "I just felt honored because the person who put it in for me was Caitè Kendrick. She's someone who makes people want to be her. I want to inspire other people to believe in MWR and what it stands for. I believe in something that is greater than me, and I want to employ that into other employees. I also want to thank Rich Wilson. He's always believed in me even when I was a little bit afraid of him."

Deborah Wilkerson of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security was named the November employee of the month for developing an appraisal process that enabled supervisors to include all supporting documents into a packet submission. The improvement decreased the man hours needed to process appraisals by about 50 percent.

Both awardees become candidates for the Garrison Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2015.

After awarding the employees of the month, they recognized Charles Jackson of DFMWR with the Garrison Safety Award for his proactive management of the safety program. His efforts resulted in the assistance center recording zero deficiencies from fiscal years 2008 to 2015 during standard Army safety and occupational health inspections. He also assisted in keeping the Soldier and Family Assistance Center going 2,213 days without any class A to E accidents.

Team awards were also given out to members of the Garrison Organization Day team and the Fall Apple Day festival team for their work planning these events for the garrison and the community.

During the awards ceremony they inducted a distinguished member of the Garrison, Brad Carlton, who started working for the Garrison in the 1980s, He was recognized for outstanding contributions to the United States Army Garrison, Fort Riley, Kansas.

"I started … thinking about all the people I had worked for," Carlton said. "I am a legacy of what they gave me over the years."