Hanscom employee wins excellent award

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Bethanie Gonsalves, 66th Air Base Group Plans and Programs Human Resources advisor, was named as the Administrative Professional Employee of the Year during the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board's 2012 Excellence in Government Awards ceremony May 9 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.

Gonsalves was chosen among four other nominees in her category and out of more than 146,000 employees across 109 federal agencies.

"Beth is one of the top employees I've ever had the pleasure of working with in my 25 years with the federal government," said Randy Robertson, XP director. "While always an outstanding worker, she has excelled even more so recently during the busiest period in the entire history of that office."

Gonsalves stepped up to be the sole Human Resources employee in an organization of almost 800 civilian and military members during a time when many major events were taking place.

For example, she developed manning solutions for management to keep the mission effectiveness without hiring new employees during a six month hiring freeze. She also served as the principal advisor to commanders and directors during an organization-wide Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments program, impacting more than 300 civilian employees.

There's also been the project of in-sourcing civil engineering employees and converting contractor security guards to Department of Defense civilians.

"Beth has an uncanny ability to understand and synthesize all technical components of human resources and a tenacity to always find the right answer to an employee or supervisor's dilemma, no matter how complex," Robertson said. "Her out-going and cheerful personality makes her the 'go to' customer service representative that everyone migrates to for information. That, no doubt, made her deserving of this award."

Out of more than 150 nomination packages, two other Hanscom employees were among the finalists, as well.

Investigator William Boyden, 66th Security Forces Squadron Investigations superintendant, was a nominee in the Law Enforcement Professional Employee of the Year category.

"Investigator Boyden was nominated because of his proven track record of outstanding leadership, team building and community service," said Lt. Col. Derrick Weyand, 66 SFS commander. "He has significantly improved the performance and, therefore, results of the investigative team, and has improved our relationships with the surrounding communities of Hansom all while improving the services to keep our military personnel safe while in harm's way."

Ken Smith, Civil Engineering operations manager, was also a finalist in the Distinguished Federal Supervisor Award category.

"Mr. Smith is truly a manager and supervisor whose philosophy is about providing superior service while growing and nurturing his staff to not only achieve but exceed their individual potential," said Tom Schluckebier, base civil engineer. "He leads by example, dedication and determination and is an indispensable source of knowledge and expertise."

The nominees attended the ceremony along with supervisors and representatives from the 66th Air Base Group. After the announcement, congratulations to the winner and nominees were sent out in an email.

"They have displayed exemplary excellence in all of their work for the government," stated an email from the commander's office. "And this was evident in their selection as a finalist for this award. Join us in congratulating our outstanding performers for all their great work, and not only representing the Air Base Group, but the Air Force, as well."