Amy Gopel first Picatinny female employee to receive Secretary of the Army’s Stalwart Award

By Eric KowalJune 12, 2024

Lt. Gen. Omar Jones, IMCOM commanding general, presents Amy Gopel, Picatinny Arsenal’s Army Substance Abuse Program Manager, and Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, with the Stalwart Award during the Garrison Command Team Conference in San...
Lt. Gen. Omar Jones, IMCOM commanding general, presents Amy Gopel, Picatinny Arsenal’s Army Substance Abuse Program Manager, and Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, with the Stalwart Award during the Garrison Command Team Conference in San Antonio, Texas on June 4. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Amy Gopel, Picatinny Arsenal’s Army Substance Abuse Program Manager, and Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, was recently presented with the 2023 Stalwart Award.

The Stalwart Award was approved by the Secretary of the Army in 2003 to recognize U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) individuals who have demonstrated the highest standards of performance, and significantly contributed to the command's success and responsibilities.

Lt. Gen. Omar Jones, IMCOM commanding general, recognized award recipients with plaques at the Garrison Command Team Conference in San Antonio, Texas on June 4.

More than 200 leaders from across 104 U.S. Army garrisons worldwide gathered at the event, which gave leaders a chance to share best practices and ideas on topics ranging from Soldier and Family Services, housing and barracks, to talent acquisition and retention.

Jones recognized 15 winners from IMCOM’s five directorates, headquarters, and Army Environmental Command, a subordinate command under IMCOM.

“Stalwart Award winners are IMCOM’s very best,” Jones said. “These professionals represent our commitment to finding innovative solutions and solving our most challenging problems in taking care of the Army’s Home. We look forward to harnessing these winners’ experiences and ideas to further our ability to invest in our IMCOM workforce and ensure the highest Quality of Life for the Army’s Soldiers, Families, and Civilians.”

Stalwart Award evaluation criteria assess a nominees’ contributions and their measurable achievements in IMCOM missions, based on title and industry. Stalwart Award evaluation criteria also consider how the nominees’ colleagues perceive them as a motivating force in the workplace.

“I am honored to receive the Stalwart Award and to be the first female recipient for Picatinny,” said Gopel. “It is extremely personal to me to be a trailblazer for more women to break professional barriers. I accept this award professionally knowing it was not just me who made it happen; my colleagues, leaders, and loved ones were crucial to my success.”

Last year, Andrew Ciccolella, director of Picatinny Arsenal’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation directorate, became the installation’s first Stalwart Award recipient. He was one of nine recipients across IMCOM, and the only recipient in the Installation Management Command Directorate-Sustainment (ID-Sustainment).

The Stalwart Award recipients have distinguished themselves from their peers through dedicated service, initiative, and drive in promoting the readiness and resilience of our people and installations.

“This recognition shows that people are paying attention and valuing our program,” said Gopel. The ‘people first’ approach in our Employment Assistance Program means participants have genuine support from a dedicated team that genuinely cares about their professional and personal wellbeing. This recognition confirms the positive impact of our collective efforts.”

In her role, Gopel oversees a division focused on suicide prevention, employee assistance, readiness and resiliency, drug testing, leadership development, inclusion, and workplace cohesion.

Gopel’s accomplishments during the one-year award consideration period demonstrated exceptional contributions to IMCOM's Service Culture Campaign, Army’s People First Strategy, and the Ready and Resiliency Program. She partnered with mission and community partners to bring a variety of training, workshops, and presentations to the installation’s workforce.

2023 IMCOM Stalwart Award Winners

HQ IMCOM/AEC:

·        Sarah Nelson (HQ IMCOM G3)

·        Randall J. Cerar (AEC)

ID-Europe:

·        George Brown III (Rheinland Pfalz)

·        Arcelio Alleyne (Wiesbaden)

·        Collin Guy (Bavaria)

·        Andreas Kreuzer (Bavaria)

·        Ekaterina Piotrowski (Bavaria)

ID-Pacific:

·        Ed Kosbab (Fort Wainwright)

ID-Readiness:

·        Cody Bratton (Fort Johnson)

·        Steven Milton (Fort Riley)

ID-Sustainment:

·        Phillip M. Trued Jr. (Anniston Army Depot)

·        Adrianne McLaramore (Detroit)

·        Kristen L. Pellaton (Watervliet Arsenal)

·        Amy Gopel (Picatinny)

ID-Training:

·        Cynthia Richards (Fort Novosel)