Security Forces civilian named ‘outstanding’ for 2010

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julie Parker
  • 111th Fighter Wing
WILLOW GROVE AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --        Joan Shaffer, an administrative assistant with the 111th Security Forces Squadron (SFS), was awarded the Air Force Security Forces Outstanding Air Reserve Component Civilian of the Year Award for 2010.
      According to Lt. Col. Donald Landis, 111th SFS commander, it is Ms. Shaffer's exceptional work ethic, dedication to duty, and professionalism that earned her this honor. "This is an unbelievable honor," said Ms. Shaffer, who has worked in her current role as an Air Force civilian with the 111th SFS since 1994. "I am humbled but thankful to be recognized for the work I do," she added.
      After competing against more than 90 other Air National Guard (ANG) units, Ms. Shaffer was selected as the Security Forces Civilian Outstanding Employee of the Year Award for the Air National Guard. "Joan is a benchmark example of someone who provides outstanding customer service," said the colonel. "We nominated her because she truly goes out of her way to support the unit and its members. Her wit and compassion are hallmark traits, just ask anyone in the wing."
      The Conshohocken, Pa., native then went to compete at the Air Force level and won the USAF Security Forces Outstanding Air Reserve Component Civilian of the year for 2010. "I was incredulous," Ms. Shaffer said of the Jan. 8 announcement.
"I was so happy to win for the Guard, but I never dreamed I'd win at the Air Force level. I am so grateful to those who thought to submit me and the time and effort they put into this," she expressed.
      According to Lt. Col. Landis, Air Force level recognition of Ms. Shaffer's excellence is most fitting and well deserved. "As the commander, I am honored to not just have worked with Joan, but to also have known her. She clearly must have been recognized as the top candidate by the Air Force, but we knew that all along. Joan is a person that, once you meet her, you will never forget her, because of her care and consideration to you and everyone around her. Her work ethic over all of the years that I've known her has always been first class customer support," said Lt. Col. Landis.
      Ms. Shaffer attributes her success to the unit and its members. "Working here has been a wonderful experience. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else," she said.