82 FSS earns first-ever Hennessy Award Published May 17, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Force Support Squadron's Food Service Operation here has won the Hennessy Award for the first time in the 57-year history of the award. The Hennessy Award, which began in 1956 as an Air Force-wide recognition of food service excellence and professionalism, is part of the Hennessy Travelers Association. The association is an advisory group of professionals who specialize in evaluating the effectiveness of an armed forces food service program. According to officials' criteria, in order to win, a food service on base must "exhibit sustained excellence in food service management, force readiness support, food quality, employee and customer relations, resource conservation, training, and safety." "I think training was a big part of what pushed us onwards," said Phil Cardinal, a project a manager for the Work Services Corporation (WSC). Cardinal also lists his workers' pride as a reason for winning the Hennessy Award. During surveys that his organization took, he cited a high level of satisfaction among workers as one of their main reasons for being successful. "99 percent of our work force is proud of what they do and how they serve our customers," Cardinal said. Cooperation among the WSC and the other organizations on base is looked at by many as a key component to why Sheppard earned the award. "It validates what they do day in and day out," said Lt. Col. Rosalyn Walker, 82nd FSS commander. The realtionship between the customer and the people they serve was looked at by some as an important factor as well. "It's important that you have a customer and service provider relationship," said Jerry Bettenhausen, WSC president. Maintaining a certain level of service throughout the year is what many employees and supervisors pride themselves on doing in regards to the tasks they perform on a daily basis. "You've got to be consistent all year long," said Philip Jackson, a 82nd FSS food operations manager. "It's an ongoing process and a team approach." The WSC staff looks at their job as something that plays a much bigger role in satisfying the customers at Sheppard. "We make sure the needs of the mission are met regardless of the situation," said Rafael Vazquez, an 82nd FSS food service specialist. Good employees and dedication are also cited as an important ingredient in what makes the WSC staffs at Sheppard excel in their field. "We've got great employees," Bettenhausen said. "These guys show up when the base is closed and get those meals out." The WSC at Sheppard also employs disabled people and the staff winning a service wide award is looked at as a two-fold victory and a source of happiness for many of the WSC staff. "It's gratifying not only to be the best in the Air Force, but to also prove that these guys aren't just as good, but better," said Bettenhausen. Overall, many at the WSC take satisfaction in their accomplishments and the mission they have been tasked with. "I'm doing my best for the Air Force," Cardinal said. As the award ceremony took place on May 28 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, 82nd Training wing commnader had some word of encouragement for the staff. "You're a part of the Air Force family," Fantini said. "I'm really proud of what you do to train and inspire Airmen."