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West Chester Resident Honored with EPA Employee Award

Release Date: 06/24/2008
Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA (June 24, 2008) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mid-Atlantic region presented the William T. Wisniewski Human Resources Achievement Award to Joan Armstrong, of West Chester, at its annual Employee Recognition Ceremony on May 13.

This award is given to an employee who has significantly enhanced employee growth opportunities, positive working relationships and better human relations in the mid-Atlantic region. It is intended to honor the distinguished performance of an employee who not only accomplishes agency objectives but who does so with a concern for fellow employees.

“The opportunity for a detail or rotation working with Armstrong, chief of the region’s Oil and Prevention Branch, has become sought-after, and this can only be attributable to the attention she pays to staff development," said last year's recipient Diane Ajl. "EPA’s class of 2007 has been lining up to participate in the learning opportunities she has developed for them, but she is equally concerned with her regular staff's development.

"Joan's integrity in ensuring that staff members reach the level of expertise needed prior to promotion makes those promotions meaningful,” Ajl added. “Without exception, her staff finds her always prepared to assist them in doing whatever is necessary to make an assignment successful. It is apparent that her enthusiasm for her staff goes a long way in motivating them.”

Armstrong, who has been with EPA for 19 years, graduated from Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, Calif. in 1980 and received a bachelor’s degree in criminology in 1984 from California State University, Fresno.

“It means so much to me to be recognized as a manager who cares about the people I work with,” said Armstrong. “Our greatest asset is the people we work with and motivating them and helping them achieve their career goals is the most important work that I can do.”

EPA’s mid-Atlantic region covers Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.