Langley employee wins AFA Outstanding Civilian Employee of the Year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Austin Harvill
  • 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  Troy Andersen, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron chief of asset optimization, was recently selected as the 2012 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employee of the Year.

Andersen earned the title after a process of elimination. He presented his package for a group-level award, then through the 633rd Air Base Wing and finally Air Combat Command. Afterward, the package was submitted to the Air Force Association.

Andersen's accomplishments follow his personal success, as well as the success of his office.

"I didn't win because I am the greatest or anything," said Andersen. "It's thanks to all of the individuals that work with me; they got the award in my opinion."

Some awards given to his team in 2011 include Best CES, Best Asset Management Flight and a number-one rating among joint bases.

Andersen said he really wanted to make sure all of his people had good mentors, and he lived up to his own expectation for leadership. He provides his team with his "whole person concept" so they can thrive.

"My goal as a supervisor is to provide members with the tools, time and training necessary to accomplish their individual missions," he said.

As a trainer for the 2011 Air Force Environmental Safety and Occupational Training Symposium, Andersen's students gave him a 4.75 rating out of a maximum of five. He created one training program, updated two others and trained more than 300 Airmen in environmental policy.

For Andersen, the environment captured his attention from a young age.

Born and raised in Gloucester, Va., Andersen's proximity to the water spawned his fascination in the environment. As a high school student, Andersen volunteered at the Virginia Institute of Marine science, learning about everything he could.

Upon graduation, Andersen earned a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and a master's degree in environmental science.

Andersen spent his first three years after school with a private environmental consulting firm. In 2003, Air Combat Command employed him as a program manager for the National Environmental Policy Act tasked to ensure Air Force policy followed federal law.

Andersen then moved to the 1st CES (now the 633rd CES) doing the same job, and aided the merger to become the 633rd CES in 2009. He has since been working as asset manager.

Lt. Col. Marc Vandeveer, 633rd CES commander, has seen the difference Andersen has made, and applauds his well-deserved win.

"Due to his efforts, his flight earned Best Asset Management Flight in ACC," said Vandeveer. "His coordination between the separate wings on Langley is paramount to mission success."

Vandeveer went on to describe how Andersen's talents are essential to many missions at a joint base.

"The key to success in a complex joint environment is smartly working with mission partners, and establishing and maintaining those key relationships to ensure mission success for all," said Vandeveer. "Simply put, Mr. Andersen does that."

Andersen doesn't just involve himself at the workplace; he believes that action should be taken in the local community as well.

"I think civic involvement is important," he said. People complain about the development of their local communities, but those who complain rarely try to make a difference, Andersen said .

Andersen currently sits as the Gloucester planning commission's vice chair, and directly supports his community as well. Recently he helped local elementary-school students in their studies as part of a local community program.

"I place a big emphasis on mentorship," Andersen said. "I've had great mentors, and that is the key to my success."

Andersen is scheduled to receive the award at a local AFA event sometime in September.