NETC Wins Stinson Equal Employment Opportunity Leadership Award

By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

June 10, 2010 - ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) was honored for their exemplary leadership and received the 2009 Nathaniel Stinson Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award in a ceremony in Arlington, Va., June 3.

Rear Adm. Joseph F. Kilkenny, NETC commander, and Richard James, NETC executive director, were both recognized with the award. Patricia Adams, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Civilian Human Resources presented the award to James, who accepted the award on behalf of NETC.

"The Stinson Leadership Award is given annually to commands and individuals who have made significant contributions in EEO," said Adams. "For NETC to produce two individuals who have been so honored as recipients this year is very impressive. I am proud of their achievements and pleased that NETC leadership is so active in the EEO area."

"Although this is a leadership award, it recognizes the hard work and dedication of the entire NETC organization," said James. "Our Human Resources and EEO staff make things happen. Rear Adm. Kilkenny and I depend upon them each and every day to make our HR and EEO programs a success."

NETC also received the 2009 award for outstanding overall EEO program, including achievement in affirmative employment, human rights, equal opportunity, human resources, fair hiring practices, cultural and heritage programs. The overall command award was presented last October.

"Winning both the Stinson leadership and overall program awards for 2009 is an exceptional achievement," said Kilkenny. "Employees with diverse backgrounds are crucial to NETC's continued success. Our accomplishments throughout the Naval Education and Training Command are a direct result of our embracing diversity and hiring highly-skilled people. These awards not only recognize the unwavering effort by our staff in the Civilian Personnel Programs Department, but also validate our path for the future."

Nathaniel Stinson was the Navy's first Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. He is recognized for establishing Navy EEO when affirmative employment was taking shape in the workplace. In 1993, the Secretary of the Navy implemented the Stinson EEO and leadership awards. The program salutes commands, activities and individuals who have directly aided the mission of the Department of the Navy by increasing efficiency, effectiveness and implementing forward-thinking EEO policies and objectives. It raises awareness of the Navy's EEO efforts, and reflects the Navy's belief that recognizing and supporting diversity is instrumental to a productive workforce and good government.