Fort Bragg civilian wins IMCOM Stalwart Award

by Paula M. Fitzgerald
Paraglide

	Trower-Simpkins

Another one of Fort Bragg’s civilian employees was recognized for outstanding professional achievements.

Barbara Trower-Simpkins, director of the Fort Bragg Army Community Service, was named as the recipient of this year’s Installation Management Command Southeast Region Stalwart Award. She received the award Nov. 5 at the 2009 Garrison Commanders’ Conference in Baltimore.

The award recognizes IMCOM employees, both Soldiers and civilians, who represent the Army’s continued commitment to doing business in the best way possible. Nominations for the award are submitted to a panel established by IMCOM to determine the best candidates. The award recognizes personnel who have exhibited strength and vigor in mind, body and spirit in promoting the IMCOM mission and vision in the daily performance of their assigned duties. Awardees also must stand out as model workers among their peers and demonstrate change and progress for the betterment of the Army.

One person from each of IMCOM’s six regions is selected for the prestigious award. Trower-Simpkins was selected from the IMCOM Southeast Region. She competed against nominees from 20 venues across the southeastern United States, Puerto Rico and Honduras.

“An IMCOM Stalwart is someone who in the daily performance of duty stands out as a model leader — one who exemplifies the spirit of the Installation Management Command,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson, former IMCOM commanding general.

According to Dan Ahern, Trower-Simpkins’ boss and the director of the Fort Bragg Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Trower-Simpkins fits the above criteria perfectly.

“She is an outstanding director,” Ahern said. “She’s the best I’ve ever been associated with after 31 years of service.”

Ahern nominated Trower-Simpkins, who has been working at Fort Bragg since 2000, for the award.

Trower-Simpkins is responsible for standing up satellite ACS offices both on and off post. The ACS mission is to facilitate a unit commander’s ability to provide comprehensive, coordinated and responsive services, which support readiness of Soldiers, civilian employees and their Families.

Over the past two years, the Fort Bragg ACS has nearly doubled in size, adding more than 50 new positions. Ahern said Trower-Simpkins managed the “chaotic” process like a true professional.

She was also responsible for creating the first government-run program for spouses who lost Soldiers during combat operations. Her initial project has morphed into what is now known as the Survivor Outreach Program, which is Army-wide.

Additionally, the Army FMWR Command recently named the Fort Bragg ACS “Best Large ACS Program in the Army.”

“This is just a testament to the type of leader (Trower-Simpkins) is,” Ahern explained. “She is a consummate professional who knows her business.”

Although she is grateful for the Stalwart Award, Trower-Simpkins remains modest.
“The award is an awesome recognition, but for me a humbling experience,” she said. “I have a team of program managers and employees who work hard in Army Community Service which makes my job easier. We work as a team, and if it was not for their support, I would not be able to do my job.”