WASHINGTON, D.C. - Providing leadership by quiet example and possessing exemplary personal qualities are characteristics that define Kimberley Monteleone overall.
But being a Native American role model has distinguished her in such a way that she will receive the Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award at the Department of Defense Awards Banquet on June 15, at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Conn.
The SAIGE Meritorious Service Award honors servicemembers and DoD civilian employees who support the department's mission, contribute to the war on terrorism, and demonstrate role model qualities and core values of their respective military branch.
Monteleone - formerly the information, referral and follow-up program manager of U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg, Germany - was nominated for the prestigious award because of her many community contributions. She was actively involved in Bamberg's Army Community Service, elementary school and Morale, Welfare and Recreation business and recreation branch. Her experience provided a keen insight of the installation while supporting and promoting a variety of community activities and programs.
Monteleone, now at U.S. Army Garrison Adelphi, Md., serves as relocation, information and referral manager for Army Community Service. As such, she continues her support to the community.
"It is a privilege and an honor to receive the SAIGE Award; I accept it by representing God, my people, the community and the organization I work for. Thank you, Bamberg, Germany," said Monteleone.
"While it is an honor to receive this award, it is more rewarding to know that I touched lives in the community and was part of a great team that made a difference," added the mother of three.
SAIGE was established in 2001. Its mission:
*To promote the recruitment, retention, development and advancement of American Indian and Alaska Native government employees, working to ensure their equal treatment under the law;
*To educate federal agencies in the history and obligations of the Federal Indian Trust Responsibility and to assist them in its implementation;
*To assist government agencies in the development and delivery of initiatives and programs which honor the unique Federal-Tribal relationship;
*And to provide a national forum for issues and topics affecting American Indian and Alaska Native government employees.
At Bamberg, Monteleone was considered the "first face" of the Family Service Center, as she greeted newly arrived Soldiers, Families and Civilians. She was instrumental, said garrison leadership, "in cementing a warm and caring first impression alleviating the newly arrivals' concerns and keeping the Installation Management Command's promise to support them in all their needs."
"All solid families have role models and it is no different for the Army," said Seema Salter, IMCOM Equal Employment Opportunity director. "Folks like Kimberley Monteleone support resiliency programs that empower Soldiers, Families and Civilians to live balanced, healthy, and confident lives enabling them to excel in an era of change and increasing demands and in making IMCOM the great home that it is."
Monteleone, who has 18 years with the Army, was born in Lynchburg, Va., and raised in Madison Heights, Va., in a mixed Native American community.
Proud of her family's Native American, African and European heritage, Monteleone said respect, morals and values were a major factor in her upbringing, which she has carried over to her work ethic.
She has an associate degree in social work at Cochise College, Ariz., and bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science at Western International University, Ariz.
Social Sharing