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U.S. Army Europe presented its highest honor for the personnel community to a member of Installation Management Command-Europe.
Deborah McGlothlin received the Frederick E. Vollrath Human Resource Award for Excellence, which recognizes HR professionals for quality service and leadership.
“Winning was a complete surprise,” said McGlothlin. “As the first Senior Civilian of the Year awardee from IMCOM, I feel that I represent all the HR professionals who usually work in the background, but play a vital role in making things happen for Soldiers and their families.”
As chief of family travel, McGlothlin is responsible for processing and approving requests for family members who accompany Soldiers here overseas. Last year, she handled more than 5,000 applications, along with almost 500 submissions for student travel funding.
Additionally, she served on the command’s Organizational Inspection Program team, provided Status of Forces Agreement support and took on the role of Retirement Service Officer when needed.
McGlothlin chose the human resources field more than 35 years ago, she said, because “I saw the impact that it makes on the lives of others. What I do every day touches someone.”
This people-first philosophy is what draws accolades from those who work alongside her.
“Her ability to think outside the box, and to assist others, clearly sets her apart from her peers,” said Dan Kessinger, chief of IMCOM-Europe’s military personnel branch.
Plus, he added, “she constantly wants to give back to the HR community.”
McGlothlin was one of six Vollrath awardees recognized by Brig. Gen. Kate Leah, U.S. Army Europe’s deputy commanding general for mobilization and reserve affairs, during a ceremony held Jan. 10.
Leahy emphasized the importance of the program in highlighting those who deliver the HR mission.
“There are HR professionals within USAREUR,” she said, “that are doing superb work day in and day out, literally seeking no recognition other than their own realization that what they are doing is worthwhile and taking satisfaction in helping people.”
The program itself is named after retired Lt. Gen. Frederick E. Vollrath, a former USAREUR deputy chief of staff for personnel who also served as the assistant secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
During the initial award ceremony in 2010, Vollrath told attendees that the only reason HR exists “is to take care of other people by providing good service.”
However, he cautioned, “just giving somebody what they would like isn’t a definition of good service. The key to good service is the ‘how.’ In the human resource business, you have to pay attention to the ‘how’ not the ‘what.’”
(Additional information provided by USAREUR Public Affairs Office)
