WIESBADEN, Germany -- She's a mother to two boys, spouse to an Army officer and director of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Army Community Service, providing care to her own family and more than 19,000 Soldiers and Families in the Wiesbaden community.
With almost 20 years of experience as a Department of Defense civilian, Jan Meert knows how to take care of people -- and now she's got the credentials to prove it.
Meert received the esteemed Stalwart Award during a ceremony at Installation Management Command Headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, March 25. The IMCOM Stalwart Award recognizes individuals from more than 70 Army garrisons around the world who distinguish themselves among their peers and supervisors as outstanding IMCOM Soldiers and civilians.
"Jan has been the most deserving of this award almost since she's been here," said Robert Schloesser, director of Wiesbaden Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. "She builds a team that is loyal and has the same quest for excellence that she has."
Over the past year, Meert enforced tough standards and expectations of her team resulting in hundreds of training opportunities across the full spectrum of social services, training more than 27,000 customers.
Under her leadership, the Wiesbaden ACS averages more than 35,000 customer contacts monthly and maintains a consistent customer satisfaction rate above 98 percent with a 100 percent on-time follow-up rate. In July 2014, the ACS team was once again accredited, earning another perfect score of 100 percent out of 208 standards that were inspected; this was the second perfect score for Meert and her team.
Her accomplishments include increasing the number of volunteers from 1,933 registered volunteers to 2,859 to mitigate the impacts of sequestration, thereby increasing the number of German language classes offered; introducing two extremely successful volunteer resiliency-focused programs; and implementing the garrison's first "Holiday Food Bank," which provided cost-free nonperishable food items to any garrison ID cardholder in need; the program touched nearly 100 families in its inaugural year.The Angel Tree gift program ensures 304 children in the community received gifts for the holidays.
Meert mentored the Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) program manager to transform the program. A partnership with the University of Maryland University College to use its art room allowed Survivors to meet and express themselves through painting together. She addressed issues with TRICARE that prevented Survivors in Europe from receiving their authorized health care benefit, which was particularly important for surviving children of the fallen.
Finally, a memorial garden was dedicated in memory of fallen Soldiers and to honor their surviving Families.
"It's the capstone in my career with Army Community Service and USAG Wiesbaden. I'm very humbled for even being nominated for the award, let alone actually receiving it, but I certainly couldn't have won it without the support of the ACS team, Dr. Schloesser and the garrison command," she said. "It's been an honor serving this great community and working alongside the fine professionals of Army Community Service."
Meert will depart Wiesbaden with her family in June for a post at USAG Grafenwoehr.
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