The Garrison Town Hall on Sept. 3 at Heiser Hall started and ended right where it should - with its mission and programs.
Garrison commander Col. Bob Pastorelli reviewed with employees the Garrison slogan -- "Support First ... People Always!" -- in his opening comments about the Garrison's impact at Redstone Arsenal. That slogan reflects the Garrison's mission to provide high quality, effective and efficient installation operations support and quality of life programs for Team Redstone.
"Our mission and vision ('Be what right looks like for a U.S. Army Garrison') talks to you as an organization, as to who you are," he said. "A lot of key things that go on around the Arsenal are because of the Garrison."
The Garrison consists of 600 civilian and more than 1,500 contractor employees who work every day to ensure installation operational readiness, provide high-quality safety, security and quality of life services, and plan for and implement long-term growth and stability strategies.
"Everybody does a great job every day," Pastorelli said of his Garrison work force.
The colonel recognized several employees for their longevity of service, and employees who have made contributions through the Garrison's Lean Six Sigma program, including Bruce Coleman, Cyrus Jones, Ken McDonald, Wayne Tadlock, Bobby Taylor and Reggie Williams.
Lean Six Sigma is a program that employees use to restructure processes to eliminate waste and redundancy. Pastorelli pointed out two such actions - the reduction in the process cycle time for a non-appropriated funds electronic process and the improved process time for emergency vehicle access to buildings.
"I think Redstone Arsenal leads the way in Lean Six Sigma. Not all of IMCOM is using it," Pastorelli said. "I think it's a great way of looking at improving processes. If it can save us money, to me that's an added benefit."
A special recognition ceremony for employees was scheduled Sept. 8 at the Officers and Civilians Club.
"It's important that we as leaders when people have done great work and put in a lot of effort to show them respect by commending their efforts," Pastorelli said.
"We've got some heavy hitters here. Some folks with great experience here."
With the end of FY 2009 looming, Pastorelli reviewed the Garrison's accomplishments for the year, including BRAC construction, progress on the Enhanced Use Lease program that will locate 4 million square feet of office space adjacent to the Arsenal near Gate 9, the new post office, gate improvements and the transfer of the Directorate of Information Management to NETCOM (Network Enterprise Technology Command).
Before Oct. 1, the Garrison will oversee the Federal Impact Aid program, and will work to conduct performance counseling, implement full automation and improve on-post food vendors.
Pastorelli encouraged employees to participate in the Customer Service Assessment and the ICE program.
"We are only as good as our customers think or perceive we are," he said. "These are tools that allow us to know what our customers are saying."
A total of 794 employees participated in the customer service assessment through the end of July. Several work force areas of concern were pinpointed because of those comments, including managing a work force during a time of increased uptempo and funding constraints, information flow between management and employees, and the age of equipment and facilities. The Garrison is addressing those concerns as well as an expressed need for Red Cross CPR training and additional workplace safety. Plans are under way to survey employees on food services.
Pastorelli also mentioned upcoming events, including this week's Suicide Prevention Week with a special program on Thursday with Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, the mail facility ribbon cutting today, Oktoberfest on Sept. 17-20, National Hispanic Heritage Program on Sept. 23, Redstone 10K Run on Sept. 26, Military Retiree Appreciation Day on Oct. 2-3, National Native American Heritage Program on Nov. 9, Salute to Military dinner on Nov. 22, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3 and the Garrison Holiday Ball on Dec. 4.
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