Congratulations to the newest Chapter Leadership Award Winners! This award is given to recognize individuals for outstanding continuous leadership, accomplishments and support of the society at the chapter level.
Rita Finney, Washington Chapter, A-1
Debbie O’Neal, Redstone-Huntsville Chapter, A
Rita Finney, Washington Chapter, A-1
How does nominee demonstrate leadership skills?
Rita has been a vital lynchpin in our Washington Chapter for 16+ years with impactful, dedicated sustained/continuous service. Her specific actions have contributed to the growth of a tremendous corpus the chapter uniquely enjoys – enabling free training and education to our members over the last decade and providing our corporate members with valuable opportunities to showcase their value to the DoD FM leadership and members to further assist with executing the mission.
Rita embodies the best of what the volunteer spirit is all about. Her many, selfless contributions have enabled us to be successful at challenging events like our NCR Professional Development Institute and annual Golf Tournament to ensure a world class event for our members, managing the details and nuances of whatever critical arrangements/information are needed to effectively operate our large Chapter. She has partnered with Deb to support the ASMC Washington Holiday Social for 8 years to solicit corporate raffle gifts for the members – a highlight of the event!
Rita is always there, always ready and always helpful. Without her many multi- year contributions, we could not enjoy the success that we do. She has been the “go to lady” for so much of what gets done – done quietly and behind the scenes. She never seeks credit nor the limelight. As Rita steps down, she is clearly richly deserving of this recognition and thanks as an unparalleled nominee.
Rita’s critical leadership role on the ASMC NCR PDI as finance and sponsorship chair has ensured the chapter has received $750,000 proceeds [chapter funds] to transfer direct education/training benefit to our members! Over 20K ASMC members have received world class training [FREE for the last 7 years] – this is simply unprecedented! She has done more to aid professional development of the local defense financial management community than anyone through the raising of critical funds to enable this.
Impact on Professional Development
Rita’s critical leadership role on the ASMC NCR PDI as finance and sponsorship chair has ensured the chapter has received $750,000 proceeds [chapter funds] to transfer direct education/training benefit to our members! Over 20K ASMC members have received world class training [FREE for the last 7 years] – this is simply unprecedented! She has done more to aid professional development of the local defense financial management community than anyone through the raising of critical funds to enable this.
Impact on Growth
As stated above, Rita’s direct actions have PRODUCED [vice influenced] substantive results in growth and improvement of the chapter to include (but not limited to) growth in chapter membership [especially in the corporate ranks], growth in member certifications (CDFM, CDFM- A), and support of Defense FM Certification Program and providing community support opportunities [at both the ASMC NCR PDI, the Annual Golf Tournament and the ASMC
Holiday Social she has focused on community service by collecting food for the Capital Food Bank AND selected charity contributions [Pets for Vets].
In summary, Rita is stepping down after being a tremendous National and Washington Chapter ASMC volunteer with sustained leadership and selfless team play – who has provided a superb example of what volunteerism and dedication to ASMC mission is all about!
Debbie O’Neal, Redstone-Huntsville Chapter, A
How does nominee demonstrate leadership skills?
As the current President of the Redstone/Huntsville ASMC Chapter and member for the past decade there is only one person that stands out in my mind that is deserving of such award from the National level for Leadership. That is Debbie O’Neal. Ms. O’Neal retired from Federal Service in September 2009, as a Budget Analyst serving the Aviation Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center Business Management Branch here on Redstone Arsenal, AL.
Ms. O’Neal has been an active ASMC Member for the past 26 years. Even after retirement her continuous involvement demonstrates her commitment to the financial management community and emphasizes the importance of the Organization and what it means to be part of a greater team.
She has served in some capacity in nearly every position that exists in our Chapter. Over the years she has mentored and provided guidance to many members in the Redstone/Huntsville Chapter. I’m living proof of that Ms. O’Neal had inspired me to be more involved and as a result made me a better person. I see her influencing others all the time making decisions, providing help, giving advice, and sharing wisdom.
Ms. O’Neal participates/volunteers in all our community service projects which is a lot. We are a five (5) Chapter providing services to the community that are mainly solider/veteran focused, but have also helped many non-profits in our area. Ms. O’Neal has been doing this for years being a strong advocate for members to be involved and cultivating relationships that are ever so crucial in our business. That is the type of person she is always helping others. Ms. O’Neal also volunteers her time as a substitute teacher educating our youth and has been an excellent
role model for others to follow.
Ms. O’Neal has received Member of the Year six times, Member of the Quarter two times, and the President Award seven times. Each award well deserved. There needs to be more people like Debbie O’Neal not only in ASMC, but in the World. Debbie is special – she has the kind of heart and attitude that is infectious that you want to be associated with. Debbie has the right type of spirit that is uplifting and someone that we can all learn from. I have been honored to serve with Debbie as my Vice President, but honestly outside of ASMC I’m just glad to know her and have her in my life. ASMC brought that connection to me and many others in my Chapter. Her Leadership should not go unnoticed and unrecognized.
Impact on Professional Development
Ms. O’Neal has impacted professional development on many levels and in many lives. This year I can contest Ms. O’Neal made tremendous contributions to our Redstone/Huntsville Mini- PDI. We had upwards of 300 folks in attendance. There is a lot of logistics and work that goes on to make this event such a huge success. I do mean huge! I first hand witnessed being at the NASA facility in which we held the event setting up and prepping until 9pm at night and back in the morning at 6am to finalize set up. Ms. O’Neal recruited additional help providing more opportunities for the membership the next morning to help with attendance, programs, coffee/refreshment set- up, and luncheon meal tickets.
Ms. O’Neal constantly advocates for membership involvement in our Committees making them wide diverse and well populated. She attends the National PDI every year representing our Chapter and works in the Speaker ready room, and with the AIs. Ms. O’Neal always encourages other to attend the National PDI and again always lends a helping hand. There isn’t anything that Ms. O’Neal would not do for others. Her selfless actions contribute and inspire others to become better themselves not only in professional development, but in their own personal lives.
Impact on Growth
Ms. O’Neal has supported the Redstone/Huntsville, AL Chapter for 26 years. An Organization that excels as great as our Chapter doesn’t happen overnight and did not happen by accident. It takes heart and dedication. Ms. O’Neal goes above and beyond to help so many in the local area. Just this year she has gone with me to multiple Organizations on Redstone Arsenal to promote membership and involvement in our Chapter’s activities. In an age where baby boomers are retiring we are still sustaining and recruiting new memberships. Ms. O’Neal has advocated and encouraged others to actively pursue financial growth in the profession by seeking the CDFM, CDFM-A that is offered by ASMC. Ms. O’Neal is involved in nearly every community project that we hold and is a great role model for all.
Ms. O’Neal contributions to this 5 Star Chapter is a great reflection on her willingness to be plugged in and her abilities to provide incredible support to a community that is so important. We say it all the time what you put into something is what you get out. These are not merely words it is evident by her actions time after time. I believe in the great things this organization brings to its members and so does Ms. O’Neal. Her attitude and work ethic is impeccable. There is no way to deny that! Her leadership is greatly appreciated and worthy of recognition.