Contract specialist celebrates 50 years of service

By Ryan Mattox, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs OfficeOctober 7, 2014

MICC civilian celebrates 50 years of service
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Oct. 07, 2014) -- A Mission and Installation Contracting Command contracting specialist is celebrating a milestone that only a relative few in the government reach.

Joyce Amador from the Presidio of Monterey contracting office in California began her federal service career June 16, 1964, as a clerk stenographer with an annual salary of $4,215 in the procurement and contracting office at the former Fort Ord, California.

"I remember thinking at my 25-year ceremony how 25 years seemed like a landmark, but then when I heard people getting their 40-year certificates, I was thinking, 'Wow, now that is long time,'" Amador said.

In September 1964, she was promoted and reassigned as a contract assistant, thus beginning her career in acquisition. It was not until November 1986 that she became a contract specialist -- almost three years before the creation of the Army Acquisition Corps on Oct. 13, 1989.

As a contract specialist, Amador spends her time overseeing the audits for approximately 300 Government Purchase Card Program accounts, and assisting cardholders and billing officials as often as necessary. She also provides contract support, executes contract actions and resolves administrative issues.

"Even though you can find yourself doing the same things day after day, I still really like the challenges of working in contracting," Amador said. "I also find working with the GPC program especially interesting because of all tools we use to manage the program."

Amador said she has seen a lot of changes during her career, but the best change she has encountered has been the recent implementation of the Contracting Tactical Operations Center.

"There has been so much change over the years; but the biggest change for me has to be technology," Amador said. "Of course, when I first started, we did not have a lot of technology. We had to do a lot of stuff manually, which made for long days especially at year-end time. But the changes I have seen, like the CTOC program, have really made life easier."

She has been described by her former director, Edna Van Lieu, as a valuable team player. Van Lieu said one of Amador's best accomplishments was leading coordination for the Test and Experimentation Command's relocation to Fort Hunter Liggett, California. Amador drew upon her technical skills for the short-fused requirement to save significant costs for the installation and command.

During her career Amador has showcased that technical competence and sense of urgency especially during year-end closings, garnering many achievement letters, special act awards, and letters of appreciation from various division chiefs.

Of course, for Amador, not everything is about work. Her supervisors describe her as someone who has a big heart and is supportive of her co-workers.

"She has been a 'leave donor' for many years," said Lisa Carrawell, director of the MICC-POM Contracting Office. "I don't think she takes any leave. She just accumulates her hours and then donates them to whoever needs assistance. She has donated nearly 80 hours of annual leave to a single recipient on several occasions."

As for the future, Amador said she has no immediate retirement plans, but perhaps in a few years, when her grandkids are older, she would like to spend her time traveling around the country.

Related Links:

Mission and Installation Contracting Command

Like us on Facebook

Join the MICC on LinkedIn