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News | Sept. 22, 2022

Secretary of Defense Excellence Award Presented to DCAA Human Resource Specialist

By DCAA Staff Writer

Ms. Nicole Spruill was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Excellence Award in a ceremony at the Pentagon hosted by Mr. Michael B. Donley, Director Administration and Management.

Ms. Spruill was detailed to the Performance Improvement Directorate (PID) for a 90-day timeframe. Her human resource knowledge was essential to enhancing the capabilities of the PID as they adjusted to their new mission. Even though Ms. Spruill had no knowledge of the organization, she was able to quickly assess what tasks were necessary and move them to completion. She updated the position descriptions for each employee to reflect their new tasks; helped the supervisors create performance plans based on the new position descriptions; and identified and correct mistakes in several administrative personnel records. She also helped in hiring new employees with the correct skills by reaching out to the McCain Fellows Program Director, identifying individuals in the program who were not yet matched to a command, scheduling interviews and monitoring the hiring process. She also assisted in hiring several other staff members. Her tireless efforts ensured the PID is on the way to full staffing.

The Deputy Performance Improvement Officer of the Department of Defense said of Ms. Spruill:

Nicole is also a rarity in the Department. She not only possesses deep experience and knowledge in Human Resources, allowing her to seamlessly operate within a new Defense Activity as if she knew everyone of their processes before, but she fundamentally cares about sharing her skills to make a difference. She is also proactive in contributing to the mission, not waiting to be ask to do something but taking the initiative to deliver, helping her colleagues when she sees she can lighten their load, and advancing transactions. Nicole did not sit and wait, she found the way to move the ball.

Congratulations to Ms. Spruill!