Jeannie's Diner patrons have a new reason to grab a bite to eat in the facility. Sandra Perry, Jeannie's Diner business manager, is the recipient of the James A. Carroll Award for most improved business operation Army-wide in fiscal year 2012.

Perry was presented the award at the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Employee Recognition Ceremony on Oct. 17 at the Thunder Mountain Community Centre. Dennis Maruska, Family and MWR director, and Col. Dan McFarland, Fort Huachuca garrison commander, presented Perry's award. Maruska described Perry's winning the James A. Carroll award as a tremendous honor. He explained it's the highest accolade a facility and manager can be awarded in the business arena for MWR.

" … you're competing against all of those similar programs in the Army, and they don't differentiate between small, medium and large installations -- all installations are in the same category," Maruska said during the ceremony. "So in each of these categories, there's only one award winner Army-wide, and we were fortunate here to have one of our individuals selected for one of those awards.

As McFarland presented Perry with the award, he mentioned Jeannie's Diner and others as a "touchpoint" for Soldiers, Families and members of the community. He added that the award "ups the ante" on the installation.

While Perry said she's excited and honored to be a James A. Carroll recipient, she remained humble about the recognition. Working back in the kitchen of Jeanie's Diner the day before the ceremony, Perry emphasized how much she values her team. She said while her recognition carries great significance, the team she works with is the most important winning element.

"I would like to applaud my staff," Perry stated during the ceremony. "We work hard all year long … they did an excellent job so this award is not just for me. It's for them."

The James A. Carroll Jr. Award was established in 1976 in honor of James A. Carroll Jr., a civilian and military hospitality leader until his passing in 1975. In 1991, the Army established an excellence-in-management awards program recognizing outstanding managers. In 1999, a new category for the most improved facility was added. Perry was selected as the 2012 winner in this category.

"It truly is a prestigious award in Family and MWR, especially in the business arena," Maruska said. "There's no higher award you can get, and to have Sandy and Jeannie's Diner recognized, I think is just an outstanding tribute to the great job they provide to our community."

Jeannie's Diner operates within Desert Lanes Bowling Center. The 50s-60s style facility serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The facility is open Sunday, 11 a.m. -- 9 p.m.; Monday -- Thursday, 6:30 a.m. -- 9 p.m.; Friday, 6:30 a.m. -- 11 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. -- 10 p.m.