AETC Thomas P. Gerrity Individual of the Year Published March 28, 2012 By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Major Kenneth Sumler, 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer, was recently recognized as the 2011 Air Education and Training Thomas P. Gerrity Individual of the Year. This award, sponsored by the Air Force Association, recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to Air Force logistics. Major Sumler was born on March Air Force Base, Calif. As a military brat, he spent his childhood in several locations, to include California, Virginia, Nebraska, Illinois and Japan. During his career he has been on six separate deployments to Bahrain, Oman, multiple locations in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He has also completed a remote tour to Osan Air Base, Japan. Major Sumler has been a member of Team Tyndall since February of 2011 and said his favorite part of his job is the people. "I am responsible for overall people, planes and equipment in the 325th AMXS," said Major Sumler. "I also coordinate resources to successfully meet mission requirements." His work is of great value to the unit. "Major Sumler is a 'people' person," said Chief Master Sgt. Duane Wright, 325th AMXS superintendent. "One of his greatest strengths is his ability to motivate people to accomplish the mission. His logistic mindset is the catalyst behind the 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's daily sortie generation success and his outstanding leadership involvement was to key to the 325th Fighter Wing's recent 'Excellent' rating during Air Education And Training Command Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection." Major Sumler is humbled by the award and gives full credit the Airmen he works with. "It's not me, it's the people in place working together, working hard and working smart," said Major Sumler. "The people and the splendid team they make are the real award winners."