SAVANNAH, Ga. – A magnet for recognition, Paula Hanna, the Savannah District’s Family Readiness Network coordinator, adds to her string of awards receiving the Family Readiness Individual Excellence Award for 2014-2015.
The highest Family Readiness award recognizes the achievements of people who contribute to the efficiency, innovation and visionary leadership that makes the agency a beacon of public service in the engineering, environmental and construction fields.
Hanna, who bested more than 40 USACE nominees to secure her selection, said the recognition is humbling and encouraging.
“It’s amazing how much you can do if you don’t worry about who gets the credit,” Hanna said. “My passion for this program comes from the gratitude I receive from those who I’ve helped and assisted in recovery. Helping to grow the program fulfills my passion.”
When she’s not supporting the deputy commander in her duties as executive assistant, Hanna bridges communications between district leadership and deployed members supporting overseas contingencies or responding to natural disasters. She also refers family members to support networks or resources available to them during and after their loved one’s deployment. She has supported up to 40 deployed members simultaneously and handled emergency situations that demanded around-the-clock support, she said.
For her efforts, Hanna previously earned two “You Rock!” awards from the South Atlantic Division and the South Pacific Division, in May and October 2014. This marks the first year she has received the Individual Excellence Award, representing not only a personal honor, but a win for SAD. The division also claimed the Outstanding Team Achievement Award by two members of the Wilmington District.
Valerie Conerway, SAD FRN coordinator, lauds Hanna’s fervor for the program.
“I have never met anyone more passionate about a program than Paula,” she said. “She goes above and beyond the extra mile when it comes to family readiness and is so deserving of this recognition.”
SAD Deputy Commander Col. Donald Walker also endorsed Hanna’s dedication to establishing a reputable Family Readiness Program in Savannah.
“Paula is tireless in her efforts to ensure that employees and family members of the Savannah District and the South Atlantic region are cared for and championed by the agency,” Walker said. “It is her positive attitude, professionalism and her enthusiastic outlook that makes her a truly great ambassador for the Corps.”
In August, Hanna will be recognized at the National Awards Ceremony scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C.
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