WIESBADEN, Germany – Three human resources professionals from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria and one from USAG Italy are recipients of the annual U.S. Army Europe and Africa Frederick E. Vollrath Human Resources Award for Excellence.
Timothy Roberts and Martina Semler, both from USAG Bavaria, earned the junior civilian category award, the latter winning in the first competition that has ever included local nationals. In the senior civilian category, Darren Dame, also of USAG Bavaria, and Michela Martinello, from USAG Italy, won the award. Martinello is also the first-ever winner in the local national category.
“It’s a good way to get our team some recognition on a bigger stage,” said Robert Reed, USAG Bavaria director of Human Resources, of his support and team’s success with the award program. “Everybody’s here every day, doing good work, and this is an opportunity for us to get them the recognition that they all deserve.”
Roberts is the postal supervisor at Rose Barracks and has led and motivated his team exceptionally throughout the pandemic, according to Reed.
“Throughout the entire pandemic, they never closed one time. He’s implemented COVID protocols that have kept his staff healthy. The morale there is out of this world,” he said. “He’s a phenomenal leader, who’s done a bunch of great work to keep the post office running and kept morale high.”
According to Reed, Semmler, who runs in- and out-processing in the Hohelnfels community, is the first person new arrivals see when they arrive, sometimes very late after the trip from Ramstein Air Base.
“She’s present to meet every bus as it arrives, even if it means that it’s 2 a.m.,” he said. “Martina is there, she’s the smiling face, there to greet them and makes sure that’s no-fail, regardless of who they are.”
Martinello, became the manager of the USAG Italy Central Processing Facility in November 2020, according to Tamela Faulkner, the garrison’s military personnel division chief.
“During that time, I have witnessed significant improvement within the facility and believe she is well deserving of this recognition,” Faulkner said. “(She) makes a point to stay on top of the pulse of the garrison, and especially the offices with direct emphasis on in- and out-processing, which often allows her to address challenges before they become significant issues.”
“Michela is not only a great member of my team, ever a constant professional, but she sets the leadership bar very high in her outstanding ability to take care of her team,” she added.
Dame is the deputy chief of the USAG Bavaria Military Personnel Division and has served as the manager of the Central Processing Facility, according to Reed.
“He has been an invaluable member of the team throughout the entire 2021 calendar year,” Reed wrote in nominating him for the award. “He has been a model civil servant since the day he joined our DHR team.”
An awards ceremony honoring all of the awardees of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Frederick E. Vollrath Human Resources Award for Excellence will be scheduled.
Social Sharing