FORT PICKETT, Va. –
Todd Phillips, Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett deputy chief of Plans, Training and Security, received the Virginia Governor’s Honor Award for Creative Customer Service Sept. 28, 2021, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, Virginia Department of Military Affairs chief operations officer, and Lt. Col. James C. Shaver, Jr., MTC chief of Plans, Training and Security, presented the award to Phillips in front of his fellow MTC employees and thanked him for his service.
“It may have my name on the certificate, but it belongs to all of you,” Phillips said after receiving the framed award. “It takes an entire team to get this done. Everyone of you contributed to this success, and everyone one of you has a piece of it.”
Phillips walked everyone through the multiple steps it takes to schedule, prepare and execute training on ranges and other locations at Fort Pickett, and he thanked his fellow MTC employees for their outstanding team work in supporting training on post.
Williams said recognizing Phillips is a reflection of the behind-the-scenes work at Fort Pickett, not just for the thousands of troops training there each year, but also for the support to Operations Allies Welcome in recent weeks.
“None of that happens without everybody who works together here at Fort Pickett, and the amount of work that goes on is incredible,” Williams said. “We can never say ‘thank you’ enough. Please accept my appreciation for what you do, and keep up the great work.”
Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam announced the recipients of the 2021 Governor's Honor Awards Sept. 15 during a ceremony at the Virginia Executive Mansion. According to the Governor’s news release, the awards recognize “employees who consistently demonstrate exemplary service and commitment to the Commonwealth of Virginia.” There were 11 award categories and 15 total recipients.
The Creative Customer Service Award recognizes exceptional level of accomplishment and innovation in serving their customers in the execution of the mission of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“Mr. Phillips made outstanding contributions this past year to some of the most important clientele undertaking the most critical missions within the Commonwealth and abroad,” the news release indicated. “Using techniques such as coordinating co-use among units and facilities, establishing alternative locations to support diversity, novelty, and resilience, as well as leveraging capabilities and resources among the entire work force, and transient training populations of Fort Pickett to support a wide mix of military and civilian personnel. Thanks to his efforts, Fort Pickett continuously receives positive feedback from all training organization types highlighting the support from the staff, the appearance of range facilities and maneuver areas, and overall professionalism.”
Phillips retired from the Virginia Army National Guard as a master sergeant after more than 35 years of service, and he began working as a civilian state employee at Fort Pickett in August 2017. After initially serving on active duty, he enlisted in the National Guard in December 1986 and served in multiple infantry assignments in the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute as well as operations assignments at Fort Pickett and Joint Force Headquarters - Virginia. He mobilized as a platoon sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment for federal active duty in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and as a company first sergeant with 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment to Iraq.
Read the full Governor's news release:
https://go.usa.gov/xMdkj
Read the full list of award recipients:
https://go.usa.gov/xMdkD