Whiteman Spirit Award Published June 27, 2007 WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Capt. Summer Morgenstern, 509th Bomb Wing, and Robert Fuemmeler, 509th Mission Support Squadron, received the Whiteman Spirit Award from Brig. Gen. Greg Biscone, 509th Bomb Wing commander, June 4 and June 22, respectively. Sharon Blindauer, 509th MSS, nominated Captain Morgenstern and Mr. Fuemmeler for the award. "Renewing the collective bargaining agreement is an item that is only addressed every four to five years," Mrs. Blindauer said. "This event in itself is workload over and above. Due to these team members, this negotiation was accomplished in nine months." In addition, another outstanding accomplishment was that all articles were agreed upon by both parties without having to go to the Air Force Impasse Panel, which would have required additional man hours and further expenses for Whiteman in further negotiations. Negotiations of a contract to be finalized such as this normally run between 2-3 years for completion, Mrs. Blindauer said. "Mr. Fuemmeler was instrumental in completing labor and union negotiations on the labor management contract for Whiteman. He represented management and the wing commander at the negotiation table," Mrs. Blindauer said. "This was in addition to separate hours of researching regulatory compliance, case law, precedence decisions and other collective bargaining unit agreements." Captain Morgenstern played a pivotal role during the labor and union negotiations. "As Whiteman's labor law expert, she researched and drafted articles in the areas of equal employment opportunity, the civilian drug testing program, grievances and special pay," Mrs. Blindauer said. "Captain Morgenstern's diligent research of labor law issues was outside her normal scope of legal duties, since Whiteman does not have a civilian labor law attorney, and she brought to the table a wealth of case law requirements that contributed immensely to presenting management's perspective. She performed these duties in addition to her normal responsibilities." Capt. Summer Morgenstern, personally speaking Go-by name: Summer Duty Title: assistant staff judge advocate Time on Station: two years Time in Service: Four years Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah Spouse: Dave Hobbies: Cycling outdoors with my husband and teaching spin classes Goals: To continue to serve the Air Force in the Reserves while pursuing a civilian legal practice in labor and employment law Best thing about Whiteman: Our mission and our dedicated civilian and military personnel Pet Peeves: Missouri road construction What motivates your winning spirit: Working daily with a team of professionals who continually strive for excellence If you could change one thing about Whiteman, what would it be: Perhaps expand the cardio section of the fitness facility Robert Fuemmeler, personally speaking Go-by name: Bob Duty Title: Human resources specialist (employee and labor relations) Time on Station: 13 years Time in Service: Four years civil service (29 years U.S. Air Force) Hometown: Sedalia, Mo. Spouse: Fern Children: Shawn and Summer Hobbies: Boating, fishing and camping Goals: Become fully retired in about seven years Best thing about Whiteman: Location and personnel. It is close enough, yet far enough from the city and close to the lakes. The personnel at Whiteman have always been second-to-none Pet Peeves: Personnel with a "not my job" attitude What motivates your winning spirit? I have always had an inner need to excel in all I undertake throughout my Air Force career, and now in civil service If you could change one thing about Whiteman, what would it be? Nothing! I like it just the way it is