GALVESTON, Texas (Oct. 29, 2015) – It’s often said it’s the people who make an organization great. After meeting Kathy Adams, an administrative professional in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District’s Resource Management Office, you’ll understand why so many people love working for the Corps.
A U.S. Air Force retiree, Adams has a deep sense of pride to be a part of a military organization entrusted with providing vital public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen the nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters.
“I work in a diverse office with a multitude of tasks and responsibilities,” said Adams. “I maintain a flexible attitude and am equipped to handle difficult or stressful situations by staying focused on the task at hand – to support those who execute our robust mission along the Texas coast.”
As the administrative assistant for the Resource Management Office and the Administrative and Advisory Offices, she is responsible for heavy workloads consisting of purchasing, preparing travel orders and vouchers and preparing training requests. Because of her multitasking ability and competency, she is successful with completing various assignments. Operating under tight deadlines, she always gets the job done on time.
“I’m committed to providing top-notch customer service,” said Adams. “I take great pride in my work and often complete tasks with limited supervision, gladly accepting new work assignments and completing all tasks from start to finish.”
Adams’ reputation as an ambitious administrative professional has garnered the trust and confidence of management and enabled her to effectively provide sought-after support concerning a broad range of administrative needs.
“My administrative background enables me to quickly learn her new tasks,” said Adams. “Whether I’m independently planning, prioritizing and carrying out administrative assignments in accordance with established Army policies and procedures or ensuring day-to-day administrative tasks are accomplished on time in order to manage workload and meet deadlines, I am staunchly committed to upholding the integrity of my profession.”
As a timekeeper, Adams assists the resource management staff with timekeeping questions or issues; audits timesheets to ensure reported time is accurately entered into the Corps’ financial management system and all required supporting documentation is attached.
“I interact and assists customers from every division and branch within the USACE Galveston District,” said Adams. “I tend to customers to ensure their needs are met in a timely manner or direct them to someone who is able to assist them – routinely resolving any issues, even if it isn’t in my ‘job description.’”
According to Adam’s supervisor, Rob Derrane, she is a person of integrity and one who places concern for others above her own; she genuinely works to provide the Corps with top-notch administrative support at all levels.
One example of this was when she accepted, without hesitation, the responsibility to assist the district’s information technology department when they were in need assistance to purchase supplies, products and equipment for the district.
“As the training coordinator, I prepare training requests for staff; assist with preparing the Resource Management Office’s annual training plan; ensure staff stay current on Army mandatory training requirements and annotated completed courses in the Defense Civilian Personnel Data System,” said Adams. “Additionally, as the office property coordinator, I conduct property inventories; maintain equipment inventory in the Automated Personal Property Management System; prepare hand receipts for incoming and outgoing property; maintain hand receipts for staff; excess property and perform other tasks as requested by the district’s property manager.”
Adams’ steadfast commitment to the organization and commitment to the district’s mission can be seen in all of her work. Always cheerful and dependable, she successfully incorporates the Army Corps values and belief in hard work into her professional and personal life, making her a highly reliable individual both on and off the clock.
In addition to her normal work duties, Adams has volunteered to be the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree coordinator for the district to help ensure underprivileged children received Christmas gifts during the holiday season.
Adams is a well-rounded administrative professional with a diverse work background who continues to seek advancement opportunities within the Corps. Adams completed the Department of the Army Civilian Education System’s Basic Course through distance learning and is currently enrolled in a college-level course, Principles of Financial Accounting (maintaining an A grade). In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs.