Photo By Dennis A Gerback | Adele Saba received the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in 2014 for...... read more read more
DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. -- When Adele J. Saba's parents met in Michigan in 1982, they learned that each had emigrated from Jordan within a few years of each other to seek better lives for themselves and their future families. They married in 1983 and gave birth to Adele two years later with no idea just how quickly their oldest child of four would live up to their American dreams.
On Oct. 7, Crain's Detroit Business publicly announced that Saba was one of its 40 Under 40, an annual selection of 40 overachievers under 40 years of age based on factors such as financial impact and community leadership. To be eligible for the Class of 2016, nominees must have been 39 or younger as of Oct. 3; Saba is 30. She was nominated by Cheryl Kennelly, Chief of TACOM Life Cycle Management Command's Resource Management (G8) Business Office.
Saba, who had been a civilian program analyst in G8 from 2008 to July 2016, was "honored and humbled" upon learning that she had been nominated. This marks the first time a TACOM employee has been recognized in this prestigious event. She transferred to the Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center here in July, after the nomination had been submitted.
While she was humbled at the nomination, she said she was in disbelief when she found out she had been selected. "It was heartwarming. I had to reread the email notification a couple of times to make sure they were telling me the correct information," she said.
Saba described her parents' reactions to the news.
"They were really proud of me and they felt happiness because they came here from another country to get a better opportunity. They felt that for their daughter because she made it as a leader," she said.
In G8, she led the team charged with developing strategy and disbursement of $500 million annually for overseas contingency operations -- TACOM's largest budget element. According to Saba, some of the funds were used for resetting Army equipment to optimal condition after it returned from combat operations to five geographically dispersed TACOM-managed depots and arsenals. Funds were also used to buy weapons systems for war fighters, build trained and ready forces, and procure chemical and biological protective equipment for Soldiers. She also led the teams that conducted annual resource summits to plan for the next fiscal year and managed budget formulation requirements for five years into the future. Her leadership role directly impacted Army readiness; and Soldier support, safety and survivability.
At TARDEC, she is a program analyst for ground vehicle and power mobility. "I ensure the war fighter is adequately equipped with all necessary items to ensure he or she is as safe as possible out in the field" by allocating money to those programs, she explained.
Kennelly said she immediately thought of Saba when she received Crain's nomination application. "She is truly special. Not only does she possess the technical knowledge to lead the financial sustainment mission for TACOM G8, she has the heart to lead people. There are many folks who have the technical knowledge but have absolutely no idea how to lead. Adele has the rare combination of head and heart to lead. This is an exceptional quality to lead through wisdom. Not only is she respected and admired by her peers, but by her subordinate team members and superiors as well."
Kennelly said she was thrilled to learn in early September that Saba had been selected as one of the 40 Under 40.
"One of Crain's editors had called earlier that afternoon to inform us that Adele was a finalist and to request some additional information. Later that afternoon we heard that Adele was selected as the winner for the defense industry sector. Adele is very deserving of this recognition. She will represent us well as TACOM's first winner," Kennelly said.
"Adele is special and I am honored to know her," Kennelly added. "She is a great example that women can do it all -- she is a fantastic mom, [and is] devoted to her husband and family while supporting our troops."
In her spare time, Saba is a leader for young women's ministry at her church in Madison Heights. She previously taught math at Baker College in Clinton Township.
The 40 Under 40 honor isn't the only recognition she has received. In addition to cash and time off awards, she received several honors for budget planning in 2014, including the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, the G8's Award of Excellence, and a congratulatory note from TACOM's two-star commanding general. The medal singled out her "exceptional service as the command lead for the development of the TACOM LCMC FY15 Operations and Maintenance, Army Resource Summit." The Award of Excellence recognized her for overseeing the closeout of the command's $1.2 billion Supplemental Program. The commanding general's note was for "going above and beyond the call of duty in helping the TACOM LCMC obligate more than 50 percent of our Operations and Maintenance, Army" program funds in the first six months of the fiscal year.
Saba grew up in nearby Clinton Township and graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science in finance, and from Walsh College with a Master's of Management.
According to its website, since 1991, Crain's Detroit Business has gathered 40 of the community's overachievers for a special salute. This year's honorees, marking the award's 25th anniversary, were profiled in the Oct. 7 issue of Crain's Detroit Business and will be honored at an awards banquet on Oct. 26.
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2016 10:07 |
| Story ID: | 218384 |
| Location: | WARREN, MI, US |
| Hometown: | MADISON HEIGHTS, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 166 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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