A role model stems from Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vesta M. Anderson
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Some can say earning the award started in 1992, when Ann Garner, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Engineering Flight chief, first entered into the environmental engineering field, in the private sector. After sixteen years and many awards and honors, Ms. Garner was presented the 2008 Women's History Month Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Role Model Award.

"Was I the only nominee?" jested the Department of Defense award recipient when she was informed of her win. "That really was my first thought."

However, her modesty is outshined by her accomplishments in the engineering field.

"In 1997, my husband was assigned to Kadena Air Base as an F-15 pilot," she recalled. "He drug me kicking and screaming all the way (across) the world, where I started my first government job."

Once settled in, Ms. Garner started working as an environmental engineer for the Marine Corps at Camp Butler.

"I loved every minute of it," she said of both her job and the Japanese culture. "Three years later, we ended up in the paradise of Panama City, where I worked for four years as the Environmental Flight chief before cross training into my current position."

At Tyndall Air Force Base, Ms. Garner supervises a staff of 27 engineers, project managers, engineering assistants and other technical support staff. She is responsible for the larger scale construction and renovations on base and also for Tyndall's energy conservation program.

"You'll notice nowhere in my (award) package is the compound word 'single-handedly,'" said Ms. Garner. "That's because a team of bright engineers, resourceful project managers, astute quality assurance construction experts, supportive leadership, and a nexus with my coworkers are all behind every job-related bullet in my package."

She relies on this symbiotic relationship to successfully accomplish the mission each day.

"Ms. Garner is a team player who performs above and beyond the standard," said Lt. Col. Sue Grumbach, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "We are very proud to have her in the squadron."

The award package consists of 28 lines filled with specific accomplishments Ms. Garner achieved to support the Department of Defense mission and Global War on Terror in the past two years. Included in these accomplishments were Ms. Garner's supervision of five military contract designs worth $100 million and 110 construction projects totaling $90 million.

Ms. Garner is also lauded for her mentorship with females in the school studies that she specializes: math and science.

"I'm most proud of cultivating a sense of curiosity and love for math and sciences in young people, not just girls," said Ms. Garner. "It's so important to plant the seed early, that science is fun and interesting, not fearful and difficult."

Ms. Garner's expertise and dynamic oral presentations are sought by middle schools to train young scientists. She has also mentored budding scientists by advising school girls for five consecutive years in science fairs.

"Youthful excellence in science and math is essential for American society to compete globally and maintain technological supremacy, all the while devoutly guarded by democratic freedoms and liberties," she said.

With the reorganization of the 325th CES, Ms. Garner is expected to gain quite a few extra responsibilities. Following the Operational Readiness Inspection, she will be assuming the responsibilities for all engineering assistants at Tyndall, as well as the Tyndall GeoBase project and construction project programming.

"When I was a young engineer, I keenly observed those I wished to emulate," Ms. Garner explained. "I am honored, humbled and even more motivated to set an example for all budding scientists and engineers."