NASWI personnel honored in Seattle

By Kathy Reed • May 12, 2011 2:36 pm

Tags: featured

Navy Whidbey’s Recycling Center team: (Front, from left) Andy Manlangit, Don Burd, Tracy Hardwick, Christa Caldwell and Kassie Gale. (Back, from left) Cmdr. Michael Dysart, NASWI public works officer, Paul Brewer, NASWI integrated solid waste program manager, Wendy Zook, Russ Hawkins, Shane Mallams, Matt Smith, Mike Reetz, and Steve Boneau. Not pictured are Oliver (Rusty) Elam, Ken Holwitz, Doug Reed, and Donna Fakkema. Photo by Tony Popp, NASWI Public Affairs/Courtesy of Navy Whidbey Recycle

Seattle’s Federal Executive Board acknowledged several workers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for outstanding job performance last week.

At a ceremony held at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle, Sherry Yates, Mark VanOort and employees of Navy Whidbey Recycle were all recognized for their contributions as federal employees, receiving 2011 Public Service Recognition Awards.

“Once a command or an agency meets our criteria, we recognize them in a celebration of public service,” said Anne Tiernan, SFEB executive director. “Employees have to go above and beyond. It’s usually your cream of the crop.”

Navy Whidbey Recycle was one of the agencies recognized for outstanding performance.

“We had the opportunity to submit our crew for recognition and had the privilege of being selected for the second time in three years,” said Kassie Gale, recycling office technician for Navy Whidbey Recycle. “One of the things we excel in is our rate of recycling, which fluctuates between 75 to 81 percent at any given time.”

According to the SFEB, the recycling center’s waste stream diversion averaged 78.7 percent from 2008 to 2010, and is averaging just over 80 percent this year. The team was also credited with generating more than $1.3 million in sales revenue while saving more than $4 million in solid waste disposal fees.

The recycling center was also hailed for its creation of the Department of Defense Northwest Recycle Team in 2010, which connects military recycling programs in the Northwest.

“It was a big deal to get that off the ground this last year,” Gale said. “We’ve had several opportunities to get together (with other military recycling centers) and share best practices.”

Airport Facilities Manager at NAS Whidbey, Mark VanOort, was recognized for his development and coordination of flight line construction projects, which improved the functionality of the base’s runways, taxiways and aircraft parking ramps.

Finally, Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsorship coordinator, Sherry Yates, was also honored. According to the SFEB, Yates’ performance, leadership and dedication to single sailors and deploying units improved the readiness and morale of all commands assigned to NAS Whidbey.

VanOort and Yates could not be reached for comment.

For more information on the public service recognition program, go to www.seattlefeb.us.