Kara Malone, the recipient of an IMCOM Installation Directorate-Sustainment Stalwart Award, said the honor for her is also a reflection on mentors across her 15-year career in the Garrison’s Directorate of Public Works.
“It motivates me to try and do better, to continue achieving mission success, and it makes me reflect on all the mentors I’ve had along the way who have helped me,” said Malone, the chief of the Resources and Contracts Branch, Business Operations and Integration Division within DPW.
“Whether it be a Stalwart Award that’s recognizing my performance and loyalty to the organization, or it’s recognition for a specific project, I realize it’s not just me being represented. We have so many people and teams that help us along the way. I appreciate all that others have done for me.”
Malone acknowledged Jerry Hinson, a retired engineering branch chief, who introduced her to contracting and how to put together contract packages, and Nick Kellum, a retired BOID branch chief, who was instrumental in explaining how DPW operates.
Malone’s proficiency, work ethic and continual drive for personal and professional growth and dedication to the Redstone Arsenal mission was demonstrated in her selection as an ID-Sustainment Stalwart, according to the document presented with her Civilian Service Commendation Medal signed by Davis Tindoll, director of ID-Sustainment, Installation Management Command.
“Kara’s selfless commitment, loyalty and distinguished performance of duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of federal service and reflect great credit” upon Malone, ID-Sustainment and the Army.
Karen Peterson, DPW deputy director and BOID chief, submitted the nomination package for Malone and described her as a well-rounded individual. “Any task she takes on, she’s always proven herself to be successful.”
Malone, who grew up on a small beef cattle farm in Fayetteville, Tennessee, first earned a bachelor’s in agriculture from Tennessee Tech University. While working on that degree, she was also enrolled in civil engineering classes and completed a bachelor’s in civil engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010.
Malone joined DPW in 2009, starting in the environmental management division because of her agricultural background. She progressed through the intern program and also worked in the master planning and engineering divisions.
“With my engineering degree, I expanded my knowledge within other areas of DPW and the great work they do in master planning and engineering,” she said.
When Malone moved to BOID in August 2020, “my main focus was on DPW’s contracts – specifically how I could assist every division of DPW in streamlining the contract award process and find efficiencies,” she said. Then the Contract Management Support Office operation, previously within Resource Management, moved to DPW.
“Within DPW, the CMSO continues to assist all the Garrison directorates that have contracts,” said Malone, the branch chief since May 2023.
“As a supervisor, I’m supervising both the CMSO and the resources team in BOID. My job is very rewarding in BOID because we are helping all of DPW to accomplish its mission,” she said. “I enjoy helping my peers to resolve issues, and as a supervisor I enjoy teaching my team and passing on the knowledge I’ve gained so far in my career.”
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