JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (July 25, 2019) -- The Army Contracting Command leadership recognized a Mission and Installation Contracting Command Soldier and civilian for their professionalism and contributions to the acquisition community as this year's ACC annual award winners recently.
Sgt. 1st Class Terry Ann Lewis, a contracting officer with the 900th Contracting Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was named the ACC Outstanding Active Duty Military NCO of the Year (Other than Major Weapons Systems); and Anita McLain, a contract specialist at MICC-Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, won the ACC Personal Development Achievement Award.
The award winners were recognized for their outstanding achievements between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sep. 30, 2018. The winners exemplify the highest level of performance and service for excellence in non-acquisition, acquisition, contracting small business and servicing support career fields across the ACC enterprise.
Lewis earned the award through her support of the missions of both the 900th CBN and 419th Contracting Support Brigade. Lewis was handpicked to support the disaster relief mission in Puerto Rico in response to Hurricane Maria. She provided support to Army North as it launched a trial approach utilizing the Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program to establish base camps to support Federal Emergency Management Agency and DSCA emergency disaster response efforts.
Lewis played a critical role as lead administering contract officer, performing Contingency Contracting Administration Services for LOGCAP Task Order 0007, which provided 27 basic life services that supplied a healthy and functional environment from which first responders and military members could operate as they engaged in disaster recovery activities to improve the quality of life for the 3.4 million Puerto Rican residents on the island.
"I'm very proud and honored to be named ACC's outstanding NCO," Lewis said. "This wouldn't have been possible without my leadership entrusting me to be the lead ACO in Puerto Rico and branch chief for the migration division, while serving as the team NCOIC. I'm also thankful for the nomination from my team leader, Capt. Paul Kilgore, and my leadership for the opportunities and support. I have to give credit to the whole CCAS team in Puerto Rico, Lt. Col. Ken Bulthuis, Sgt. 1st Class Jack Howard, Tamara Casselman, Garry Carter and Gil Ponce, for their support as well, because our mission success was a team effort."
"Lewis' outstanding leadership, diligent work-ethic, and dedication toward contracting excellence has made an enduring influence and a lasting impact on the professionalism, skill and knowledge of all members of the Army Acquisition workforce and contracting community," said Lt. Col. Jason Miles, the 900th CBN and MICC-Fort Bragg commander. "She is an outstanding NCO who always exceeds the standards and motivates others to do the same."
When it came to personal development, nobody did it better than McLain. McLain, a contract specialist with the MICC-Fort Leonard Wood contracting office was also the acting division chief at MICC-Fort Rucker, Alabama, during fiscal 2018.
She recognized a shortfall in key acquisition support specialties such as industrial property management, quality assurance, and information technology support. As part of developing the business operations team from scratch, she voluntarily elected to take multiple Defense Acquisition University courses and training to ensure the MICC-Fort Leonard Wood contracting office had someone on the staff to answer questions and improve staff communications with the MICC Field Directorate Office at Fort Eustis, Virginia, and subject matter experts at MICC headquarters.
"An email was sent out with the FY18 annual awards winner list as an attachment and to tell you the truth, I did not even look at the list until I received the first email congratulating me on receiving an award," McLain said. "I was so surprised that I had to find the email just to verify my name was actually on the list to believe it was true."
McLain also sought out Lean Six Sigma Green Belt process improvement training by securing no-cost training in partnership with the local garrison command team. She gained valuable knowledge in process reviews and improvement. Her capstone project with the local directorate of public works examined the flow of service orders. This project reduced backlog and processing times.
"Anita has displayed confidence and authority to her team to ensure the mission is completed," said James Tucker, the director of MICC-Fort Leonard Wood. "She is highly acclaimed for her professionalism and technical skills. She has made personal and professional sacrifices to ensure the mission successes of her supported organizations and truly exemplifies the team of team's concept. She possesses the knowledge, experience and leadership qualities to achieve success."
As business operations chief, McLain led the development of training programs for the contracting office staff. Sixty percent of the office staff had two years or less experience. Initially when she took the position, the office had 15 purchasing agents assigned that required training. McLain worked closely with the leadership and contracting officers to provide practical, hands on training, along with developmental assignments to ensure the staff could support the high operational tempo of the office. This training led to MICC-Fort Leonard Wood staff to award 1,650 contract actions valued at more than $140 million. These actions supported critical Army readiness initiatives such as end strength increase, one of the Army chief of staff's top priorities. She also continues to function as a team leader and contracting officer working more than 100 actions as contracting officer.
"To be nominated for the Personal Development Achievement Award by Mr. Tucker is a compliment in itself," McLain said. "To receive the award is an honor for me and a tribute to those who influenced, mentored, and supported me as I followed my chosen career path."
ACC received 126 nominations in 35 different award categories consisting of both military and civilian personnel. Nominees were vetted by a panel of eight ACC senior leaders who identified individual and team winners.
ACC conducts an annual awards program to recognize excellence in acquisition, contracting, small business and work force development within the command.
About the MICC:
Headquartered at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command consists of about 1,500 military and civilian members who are responsible for contracting goods and services in support of Soldiers as well as readying trained contracting units for the operating force and contingency environment when called upon. MICC contracts are vital in feeding more than 200,000 Soldiers every day, providing many daily base operations support services at installations, facilitate training in the preparation of more than 100,000 conventional force members annually, training more than 500,000 students each year, and maintaining more than 14.4 million acres of land and 170,000 structures.
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