A Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) employee will be recognized during ceremony to be held October 4 at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
NSWC PCD Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) Acquisition Lead for the Expeditionary Systems Division, Christina Pate, will receive the 2016 Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Civilian Employee with a Disability.
This annual event honors Department of Defense (DoD) components for outstanding achievements in the hiring, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities. It also highlights the accomplishments and abilities of employees and Service members with disabilities who have made significant contributions and best demonstrate the core values of their respective organizations.
Pate was born with a rare genetic syndrome, Robinow Syndrome. Being physically dwarfed in stature, she is recognized in the U.S. medical community to be the oldest living known recessive case in the U.S. In addition, she was diagnosed with Stage 3B breast cancer in 2012 and currently is in remission and a survivor.
Despite the hurdles Pate has faced, she has not allowed any obstacles to stand in her way of achieving success. Pate is a widely respected and an exemplary employee who has sustained a career with the DoD for over 30 years.
Today, in addition to being the LCAC Acquisition Lead, Pate wears many hats at NSWC PCD. Pate is an Inventory Management Specialist, site subject matter expert for the General Services Administration (GSA) Global Supply Program and serves as NSWC PCD’s Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity Council (EEO DC) Chair.
As EEO DC Chair, Pate leads over 20 dedicated individuals representing each department and division command wide as they strive to eliminate barriers generated through discrimination and bias.
As a member of NSWC PCD’s Children’s Christmas Party Committee (CCPC) for over 25 years, Pate’s passion for helping others has bloomed each holiday season as she transforms into “Santa’s Helper.” She and other CCPC members selflessly host over 100 disadvantaged children from local elementary schools to spread holiday cheer with stockings filled with essential goodies.
Pate said when she attended the Robinow Syndrome Foundation Convention in July 2016, it was the first year she really felt good about herself and who she was as a member.
“As the oldest living known recessive case of Robinow Syndrome, new families were genuinely glad and interested in talking to me,” said Pate. “I felt great about sharing my medical situation with them and to able to tell them that their child will thrive just fine!”
Pate added that she is a firm believer in team work and she prides herself on being reliable and dependable.
“My parents always said ‘an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay,’” said Pate. “ I believe they instilled in me my positive work ethic that has stayed with me throughout my career!”
Pate said that for someone to see the potential of the good in what you're trying to do and recognizes that for the workforce to know is a very honorable feeling.
“Over the years, I have heard requests for nominations for a variety of DoD awards and always thought there was someone more qualified for these awards than myself. To be nominated this year was a surprise,” said Pate.
“I never wanted to receive an award ‘just because’ or ‘because it was my turn.’ The level at which this award is presented tells me that outside of this command, I am being recognized and appreciated by higher peers that have no clue who I am. It has shown me which people are sincere with their acknowledgement and congratulations of me receiving this award and that greatly humbles me.”
NSWC PCD Inventory Management Specialist, Lysa Oswalt, met Pate in 1999 when Pate taught her how to manage the “Just-In-Time” program, now known as GSA Global Supply Program. According to Oswalt, the duo have remained friends since the moment they met.
“Pate’s magnetic personality, warm smile with a positive attitude in every-day life and every task she is given and performs makes her shine above others,” said Oswalt. “Her interaction with co-workers definitely shows others that she is a "can-do" and a "go-to" person that can be relied and trusted in to assist, teach and complete the job at hand.”
Oswalt said Pate ran the GSA Global Supply Program for NSWC PCD with an attention to detail and confidence that shows her exceptional work ethics.
“Pate is a team player and is supportive to the warfighter. She is always willing to help others and learn in order to ensure all acquisitions are ordered, shipped and received as expeditiously as possible, “said Oswalt. “She is instrumental to improve processes to better accomplish better business practices.”
Oswalt expressed that Pate’s vibrant zeal for life to serve others with love, support, encouragement and enthusiasm demonstrates that she is truly deserving of this prestigious award.
“I am truly honored and blessed to be her friend and co-worker. I am so proud of her that she is a recipient,” said Oswalt. “She is an overcomer and proudly supports the mission here at NSWC PCD. (Christina) Pate is definitely worthy of this award.”
NSWC PCD: Technical Center of Excellence for Littoral Warfare and Coastal Defense
| Date Taken: | 08.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2016 10:05 |
| Story ID: | 208433 |
| Location: | PANAMA CITY, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NSWC PCD Employee to Receive Recognition at Pentagon, by Katherine Mapp, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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