ARPC members recognized at Air Force level

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Beth Anschutz
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colorado --  Four Air Reserve Personnel Center members were recently recognized at the Air Force level with awards in the Manpower, Personnel and Services, or A1, field.

Maj. Andrew Williams, assigned to the ARPC Force Development Division during the award period, and Capt. Avril Mitchell, assigned to the ARPC Pre-Trained Individual Manpower Management Division, were awarded Personnel Reserve Component Field Grade and Company Grade Officer of the Year awards, respectfully. Master Sgt. Carola Todd, assigned to the ARPC Directorate of Personnel Transformation during the award period, was named Force Support Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, and Gary Thurman, currently assigned to the ARPC Promotion Board Secretariat, was named Specialist of the Year.

In a message to leaders, Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., said, “I’m amazed by the unrelenting professionalism and hard work of our A1 team. While we recognize our exceptional performers, we also highlight their fine example for others to follow.”

Williams, who is currently assigned to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., to attend Air Command and Staff College, was recognized for his work as an assignment facilitator. Williams was responsible for planning and executing annual Development Teams for more than five Air Force Reserve career fields. Senior leaders use DTs to evaluate personnel records for mentorship, vectoring and career development purposes.

Although he was lauded for many accomplishments, he said planning and executing the final Reserve Officer Development and Education seminar, held last year, meant the most to him.

“It involved a lot of work and planning with a lot of people, including several senior officers, and the results were excellent,” Williams said. “Not only was it educational for our participants, it was also a lot of fun for all who participated.”

Williams said he is humbled by the recognition from the award and thankful to his leadership and mentors for their support.

“This recognition isn’t just for me, but also for those folks who’ve had a hand in my success; it’s our success,” he said.

Mitchell, who serves as the Chief of Personnel Readiness, was recognized for many accomplishments, to include her leadership of a team who executed the Secretary of the Air Force-directed annual screening program for the Strategic Reserve. She was responsible for supporting wartime efforts through securing sustainable mobilization assets, codification of the ARPC Mobility Plan and execution of the Air Force’s only face-to-face screening activity.

Mitchell said she is most proud that her team had the most successful IRR Muster Screening Cycle to date with 24 Total Force base events and $1M training dollars saved. Her team was also recognized as ARPC Team of the Year in 2015.

“The work performed here at the center is vital to the success of the Air Force strategic and operational capability,” Mitchell said. “I’m humbled by my supervisory support and nomination, as well as the acknowledgment of our accomplishments. Being recognized at the Air Force level affirms my confidence and pride in the Total Force mantra.”

Todd, who is currently assigned to ARPC Promotion Board division and has since been promoted to master sergeant, was lauded for her work as the Non-commissioned Officer Evaluations and Appeals Boards during the majority of the award period. She was responsible for ensuring Airmen meeting the boards had all of the necessary documentation to support their case.

Todd was recognized for screening more than 150 cases and correcting 75 records. She processed more than 1.7 thousand evaluations, while cutting processing time in half. Her accomplishments led to her recommendation and selection in her current assignment in the Promotion Board Eligibility division.

“I’m honored and proud by the recognition. It also makes me a little nervous to have the bar set so high, but I am confident I will continue to succeed with the support of the ARPC team,” Todd said. “It’s really not hard to be successful when you like what you do and love to learn.”

Thurman, who serves as superintendent in Promotion Board operations, was recognized for his work in the promotion of every first lieutenant through colonel, assigned to the Air Force Reserve; Air National Guard Colonel Federal Recognition; and the Air Force Reserve Brigadier General Qualification Boards. Thurman and his team ensure the right information is provided to promotion board members, guaranteeing each member the opportunity to compete for promotion.

Of his many accomplishments, Thurman said he is most proud of how his team made a significant change to the promotion process for Reserve captains. After eliminating the Special Selection Boards, due to 100% promotion rate, and accelerating the promotion timeframe for eligible members, the team saved the Air Force time and money.

“I am humbled to be recognized for this level of award. I know there were great packages and the competition was tough,” Thurman said. “I wouldn’t have received this recognition without the support of all the men and women who work in the ARPC Promotion Board division. We have some incredibly talented people who work hard every day to ensure the right people are promoted to serve in our great Air Force.”

Col. Ellen Moore, ARPC commander, praised the award winners in a message to all center personnel.

“The hard work and dedication that we bring to the missing is second to none and obvious by the number of winners we had,” Moore said. “These individuals represent a portion of the talent we have here at ARPC and the great accomplishments we’re making every day.”