The property book officer for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), Melissa Steele, was among the winners of the 2017 Professional Medical Logisticians' Leadership and Civilian Awards. Steele was selected for the GS Series 9-11 Professional Medical Logistician Civilian Award, which recognizes her "demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, technical competence, professionalism, and customer service."

"Well done, Ms. Steele!" wrote USAMRICD Commander Col. Denis Descarreaux in an email announcement to USAMRICD's staff. "We are incredibly fortunate to have you on the Team. I'm very proud of your accomplishment."

Steele's nomination was prepared by Lawrence Howard, USAMRICD's chief of logistics, noting how her outstanding performance in 2017 "clearly demonstrates her ability not only to develop an effective property management program, but more importantly, to lead change in order to improve all aspects of the organization's medical logistics program."

Among her accomplishments was a thorough assessment of all aspects of the organization's logistics procurement and acquisitions programs, the results of which led to alternate procurement and acquisition capabilities within the USAMRICD, thereby reducing procurement costs and product lead time. Steele also spearheaded the initiative to bring the U.S. Army Medical Command's Centralized Equipment Requirements Program online during fiscal year 2017.

Howard went on to describe Steele as a "leader who has the ability to create a work environment that maximizes employee potential, thus allowing the entire team to reach greater heights and achieve the mission to the highest standard."

"I am honored to receive the award and fortunate to have a supervisor who acknowledges the amount of work, dedication and persistence I put in daily towards my duties and responsibilities," said Steele, but added that she simply does what she feels she is supposed to do.

"At the end of the day I care about what I do and try to do my best every day to support the organization," she said.

Steele began working at the USAMRICD at the end of 2015 and took over as the property book officer in March 2016. Steele, who has prior military service of 10 years on active duty and 14 years in the reserves, previously worked for the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, the United States Army Reserve Command, and Forces Command, experiences that she says gave her a broad understanding of how logistics works across all levels, from the Department of Defense down to the unit.

Additionally, said Steele, "I have been fortunate to have a few good mentors and supervisors during my career that had confidence in my abilities and pushed me outside my comfort zone to learn and then lead."