RESTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Materiel Command recently announced the 2012 Louis Dellamonica awards winners, recognizing the best employees in the command. Only one was chosen to represent the headquarters staff.
Debra K. Foley, special assistant to the Commanding General, was nominated and chosen by a panel for the award. Nominees are judged on how their initiatives measurably improve their work environment and AMC's mission, how they motivate and inspire fellow employees to improve or increase the quality of their own work, and how well they are viewed by peers, subordinates, and supervisors.
Foley handles a myriad of projects and high profile programs. Her projects often cross multiple areas of staff responsibility including personnel, research and development, acquisition, supply, maintenance and program management.
Each project requires extensive coordination, synchronization and interaction with AMC staff elements and commands along other agencies and activities including the Department of Army, Major Commands, private industry and academia.
"Each event, each project is unique. Working in the CIG, Commanding General's Initiatives Group, is very exciting and stressful at times," Foley said. "The neat thing is that when things get tough, we all pull together and support each other. No matter what it takes, the mission will not fail."
Foley's supervisor nominated her for the award.
"She epitomizes Louis Dellamonica. He led by example and that's exactly why we nominated Debra Foley," Mike Mullins, deputy director of the Commanding General's Initiative Group, said. "She is absolutely a team player, a leader, a mentor and people look to her as the example."
"It doesn't matter if the project is hers or not. She just wants to make sure the office and the action officer succeed," Mullins continued.
"We have a mission at AMC and there is not one person who can accomplish it alone. It takes all of us working together to be successful," Foley said.
"I have been blessed by having great mentors to guide me throughout my career," Foley said. "I feel a responsibility to give back to my coworkers, my peers, and especially to those who are just beginning their careers with the government."
The notification of winning one of this year's Dellamonica awards came as a shock to Foley, who was overwhelmed and humbled to tears.
"There are so many great folks working at AMC headquarters who are deserving of this award," she said. "I am very honored and humbled to have been selected."
After 29 years of government service, Foley's unwavering dedication to the mission has been motivated by the sacrifices of the warfighter.
"By doing my best to support the senior leaders within AMC, I am supporting the Soldiers and warfighters who are sacrificing so much for their country," Foley said.
"She is a talented writer and thinker. More importantly, she calms what can sometimes be a tornadic work environment," Col. Michael Peterman, director of the Commanding General's Initiative Group, said.
"As a leader and an incredible coach, she is often sought by other action officers because of her knowledge, expertise and willingness to help," Peterman added.
Improving her work environment, supporting the AMC's mission, motivating and inspiring others, increasing the quality of not only her work but the work of others, it is no mystery why Debra Foley was chosen to represent the best of the AMC workforce.
The 2012 winners are:
Mr. Scott Phillips, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command
Mr. Michael D. Weaver, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command
Ms. Gloria M. Golden, U.S. Army Contracting Command- Aberdeen Proving Ground
Mr. William J. Glodek, U.S Army Research Laboratory
Mr. Denver F. Olive, TACOM Life Cycle Management Command
Mr. Matthew J. Hunter, TACOM Life Cycle Management Command
Ms. Shirley A. Hayden, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command
Mr. Clay W. Socha, U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground
Ms. Debra K. Foley, Headquarters, U.S. Army Materiel Command
Mr. William R. Clement, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command
Ms. Sonya Zanardelli, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command
Ms. Jamie Hagemeyer, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
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