Texoma Chapter of NCMA receives 5th Graalman Award

  • Published
  • By Pearlene Carr
  • 82nd Contracting Squadron
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Texoma Chapter of the National Contracting Management Association has received yet another honor. Gov. Rick Perry, Texas signed a certificate on Feb. 26 in honor of the chapter receiving its fifth consecutive gold Graalman Chapter Award. This was the Lone Star State's way of officially recognizing the record breaking accomplishment.

The history of the Graalman award dates back to retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Walter R. Graalman, who was NCMA's first vice president from 1965-1966. He earned a national reputation for his outstanding procurement professionalism as an officer in the Air Force. He was one of the first "military brass" to outwardly and proactively support membership in NCMA as a conduit to increase professionalism in the contracting career field.

Because of his instrumental leadership and key role in the development of NCMA, the award was justifiably named the Graalman. This award is given annually for chapters whose promotion of continuing education for the contract professional, membership activities and overall furtherance of the goals of NCMA is outstanding, with the gold award representing the highest achievable level.

It must be said that an accomplishment like this does not just happen overnight. It took a group of dedicated contracting professionals to light the torch to receive the gold Graalman the first year, and their keen strategic insight and steadfast direction to pass the torch down for the next four years. Winning the gold was, and is, a major part of the chapter's master plan.

Although the entire chapter put forth the effort to win this award, three people deserve special recognition. Ms. Neda Hansen, Ms. Vickie Sullivan, and Ms. Tandy Weaver, who worked long and hard to make sure the chapter accomplished the goal that the President, Mr. Mark Snyder, had set. As we say in the Air Force, "Our mission was to go for the gold." 

"Every day my work with the chapter helps me grow and learn as a professional contractor," said Ms. Weaver, 82nd Contracting Squadron, "and it's a privilege to watch newer members of the chapter do the same."

The Texoma Chapter is an integral part of the Wichita Falls and Sheppard Air Force Base communities. Throughout the year the chapter:

· works behind the scenes and on the phones at the Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon
· hits nails and slinging hammers for Christmas in Action (formerly Christmas in April), fixing up homes for elderly individuals on fixed incomes
· builds a train of canned food in the mall for the Wichita Falls Can Food Drive, spearheaded by Hazell Barnes, supplying food to needy families at Thanksgiving and Christmas
· assists Santa by helping Toys for Tots making sure that needy children in the community have gifts, especially toys, for Christmas
· makes a difference in the lives of the First Step Shelter residents during the holidays by donating gifts and money to help victims of domestic abuse
· volunteers for the local Meals on Wheels Program, making sure that elderly people in the community have at least one hot meal a day all year long.

In addition to this, the Texoma chapter has set a precedent by partnering with the 82nd Contracting Squadron to host an annual Vendor Day Tradeshow, giving vendors from near and far a chance to showcase their products and services. The opportunity to meet face-to-face with government purchase card-holders, resource advisors and potential customers is priceless to the vendors participating in the show.

The active chapter again partnered with the Small Business Team co-hosting a "Women in Construction" conference bringing together women in top management in the construction career field to discuss the challenges they face everyday in a field that is traditionally male-dominated.

The Texoma Chapter is also active in NCMA at the national level, participating in national meetings and summits. Education and certification are also strongly stressed in the Texoma Chapter, resulting in two chapter members obtaining NCMA fellow status, six members earning Certified Federal Contract Manager certification, Certified Professional Contract Manager certification, and several other national NCMA awards. This list of accomplishments is doubly impressive for a chapter averaging 50 members a year.

Along with the award, the chapter also received a proclamation signed by Governor Perry on Feb. 21, proclaiming the week of April 23-29 as Texas Contract Management Week.

In the proclamation, Governor Perry encouraged all Texans to learn more about the importance of contract management and said contract managers are making a difference across Texas daily.