The Network Enterprise Technology Command's Civilian of the Year for 2013 was announced here March 4, during a ceremony in the Greely Hall Auditorium.
Stuart Wells, an Information Technology specialist in G-5 (Plans and Engineering), was selected as the top government civilian for NETCOM. Wells was one of the 12 monthly winners from calendar year 2013 who were considered for the top spot. The competition was fierce as each monthly winner held an array of accolades ranging from cost savings to implementing new programs and command initiatives.
NETCOM, known as "The Voice of the Army," is a global command headquartered at Fort Huachuca. It is the Army's single information technology service provider for all network communications. The command comprises of more than 15,800 Soldiers and civilians supporting the Army.
Wells' accomplishments were many according to Wells' award citation. He was responsible for coordinating the development of an Enterprise Directory Services and Authentication solution for over 1.2 million users within the Army and Department of Defense. He also demonstrated great knowledge in resolving complex directory service technical issues. The justification showed that Wells work had a direct impact on Army operations world-wide.
The monthly awardees competing from January to June were:
Susan Boudreaux, a Command Support Team Leader in G-3 (Current Operations);
Stuart Wells for February; Shannon Sisco, the Capability Manager serving within the Enterprise Capabilities and Sustainment Division; Diane Jones, the Officer Strength Management Team Lead for April (Jones retired from the civilian workforce and was not present at the ceremony); Suzanne Clabourne, an auditor in the Internal Review section; Nancee Horn, the G-8 (Resource Management) Team Lead for the Long Haul team.
The July through December awardees were:
Rhonda Martinez, a Civilian Human Resources Specialist in G-1 (Personnel); Susan Turley, an attorney-advisor in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate; Eric Hortin, the Deputy Public Affairs Officer; Deb Scott, the Information Assurance Manager in G-6 (Chief Information Office); Ric Bolan, a Management Analyst, Force Development Branch G-8; and Whitney Ditzhazy, an Assured Compliance Assessment Solution Capability Manager (Ditzhazy transferred out of NETCOM to another job in the government and was not present.)
Speaking about the value of the Army's military and civilian workforce, Dan Bradford, the NETCOM Senior Technical Director and Senior Civilian and the ceremony guest speaker said, "Our workforce is made up of a triad of Soldiers, Civilians, and contractors -- each a valuable piece of the whole. I think that last year's events clearly show that we are a combined team that only functions well when it is intact. Anything less than that compromises our ability to defend the Nation and meet mission the way we all want to.
"You are the defenders of all that is good, protectors of our way of life, and you are always there when the Nation calls, no matter the circumstances," Bradford said. "In times of turmoil, the combined team of Soldiers, Civilians, and contractors is the one consistency that we can count upon."
As the NETCOM Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Pete Gallagher, spoke about all the turmoil the NETCOM workforce had to endure in 2013; the furlough, the hiring freeze, the government shutdown, and all the fiscal uncertainty, he pointed out how the NETCOM civilian still pulled together to make a difference.
"These civilians of the month are an example of the entire NETCOM civilian workforce," Gallagher said. "For every one of these individuals, there are four or five who went above the call of duty, all day, every day."
In addition to the title of Civilian of the Year for 2013, Wells was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award, a $1,000 Special Act/Service Award from the command, a framed star-note from Gallagher with a command coin, a brass eagle statue, and Wells also received the Civilian of the Year reserved parking spot to use during the year.
Wells concluded the ceremony with thanks to his family, his team members and the NETCOM family.
"As with all team sports, this cannot be earned without the support of others," said Wells.
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