FWP names top individuals, organizations

By Rachel Ponder, U.S. Army Garrison Public Affairs OfficeSeptember 8, 2010

FWP names top individuals, organizations
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The Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Women's Program named the 2010 outstanding woman of the year, supervisor/manager of the year and the activity most supportive of the organization's goals during the Women's Equality Day Observance and Awards Program at the Ball Conference Center Aug. 23.

Lori C. Remeto of the U.S. Army Materiel Systems Analysis Agency was named outstanding woman of the year. The Supervisor of the Year was Scott G. Schoeb, AMSAA. AMSAA was selected the Activity Most Supportive of FWP Goals. Accepting the award for AMSAA was Dr. Paul Dietz, technical director.

This occasion also celebrated the 90th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote.

Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, installation commander, and commander of Research, Development and Engineering Command, hosted the event. Two members of the Army Materiel Command Band, Spc. Natanael Asanabor and Sgt. Corrin Corbett provided music for the event.

Guests included Col. Orlando Ortiz, APG Garrison commander and guest speaker Michelina LaForgia,

project director, Computer Hardware Enterprise Software and Solutions, or CHESS.

Ortiz welcomed attendees and thanked FWP members for their continuing efforts and the APG workforce for their support of FWP programs.

"We want to be known as a nation that respects and appreciates effort across the board," Ortiz said.

During Justice's remarks he said that the United States Army provides great opportunities for all people.

Justice said that his commanding general, Gen. Ann Dunwoody, commanding general of U.S. Army Materiel Command, is the first woman in U.S. military and uniformed service history to achieve

a four-star officer grade.

"Where else in our nation than the United States Army can you expect so much opportunity'" Justice said. "In my mind the word equality is about opportunity and the access to it. This is a great Army that provides people with opportunities. Our community is especially vibrant with opportunity for people."

Justice said that there is a critical shortage of scientists and engineers in the United States and APG is also in need of people to fill these positions.

"This shortage creates career opportunities," Justice said.

During LaForgia's remarks she spoke about writing women back into history.

"I believe, somewhat of an historic relic myself by virtue of my longevity at Fort Monmouth," she said. "I am now the longest serving female GS-15 at Fort Monmouth."

LaForgia said that Army Team Command and Control, Communications, Computing, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance has come a long way since she was promoted to GS-15 in 1998.

"This year, Team C4ISR was privileged to welcome the Army's first female Program Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Lee Price, and its second female Senior Executive Service Chief Counsel," LaForgia said. "Women at Fort Monmouth and Team C4ISR have certainly come a long way in just 12 years. And our nation has come a very long way in the 90 years since women won the right to vote, and now both major political parties include women on the national ticket."

LaForgia said that it is important to remember and commemorate the work of the suffragettes who fought for the right to vote for women.

"All of us women, and men, here today are the beneficiaries of nearly 100 years of dedication and perseverance by women known as suffragettes, from before the Civil War until 1920, when they succeeded in obtaining the right to vote for women," LaForgia said. "In an ironic nod to our relationship with the military, it was women's work on behalf of the World War I war effort that finally proved that women were just as patriotic and deserving of the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship as their male counterparts."

LaForgia said that federally employed women are fortunate to work in an environment

that enforces equal opportunity in the workplace, particularly in the Army where there is zero tolerance for any form of discrimination.

"One reason is that the first and only right that the Constitution specifically affirms as equal for women and men, even today, is the right to vote," LaForgia said. "So today, as we celebrate 90

years since passage of the 19th Amendment, I ask you not to forget that the way things are for you today are descended from women who came before you."

The annual Dottie Dorman Working Women's Scholarship was presented by Melissa Smith, president of the Maryland Tri-County Chapter of Federally Employed Women. Smith presented the

$300 check to Shariese Demby, a training coordinator for the Chemical Materials Agency. Demby is in her last semester at Harford Community College.

Smith said FEW is a non-profit program that falls under 'special interest programs,' and is an organization with a focus on helping women advance in government service well into the 21st century and beyond. The organization is open to women and men.

The chapter covers Harford, Cecil and Baltimore counties," she added. For more information about FEW, contact Smith, 410-642-2411.

Nominees for Woman of the Year were Capt. Malikah Johnson, Army Environmental Command, Judy Weintraub, Department of Public Works, Lori C. Remeto, AMSAA, Mary L. Doak, ECBC, and Donna Doganiero, Public Health Command.

Supervisor/Manager of the Year nominees included Capt. Gleeson Murphy, Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Pamela B. Fraiser, Civilian Human Resources Agency, and Ahmet

M. Topher, CHRA.

Remeto was awarded for her ongoing efforts to support the goals of FWP. Remento serves as a mentor to several women in her organization and provides career counseling as well as promoting

professional growth opportunities.

"I am extremely honored to receive this award," she said. "I am proud of AMSAA as an organization supportive of FWP."

Schoeb was awarded for his extraordinary support of equal opportunities and professional growth for federal women.

He has served as a mentor to numerous female engineers and analysts, both within and outside of his branch. He has provided leadership and opportunities for women in the workplace.

Schoeb said that his grandmother, mother and wife have served as great examples of women in the workplace.

"For me, it is natural for women to be in the workplace," he said.

Schoeb thanked the women in his organization for excelling in their jobs.

"I just give them an opportunity to do a great job," he said.

AMSSA is recognized for its commitment to FWP goals. In the past year, AMSAA recognized many of its female employees through their selection of key development assignments. AMSAA continues

to be a leader in offering longterm training, encouraging mentoring, and furthering formal education.

Dietz said that his organization was honored to receive this award, which promotes equality in the workplace. "In my career I have seen a tremendous growth in the scope of roles that women

hold in this organization," Dietz said.