Housing Office "Best in Air Force"

  • Published
  • By Joe Joyner
  • 509th Civil Engineer Squadron
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo., --  The Whiteman Housing Management Office was recently selected as the Air Force winner of the Professional Housing Management Association Fiscal Year 2009 Outstanding Housing Installation Team, Traditional Location category.

The award is given annually to the installation team demonstrating the most outstanding living environment for military members and their families.

In the final round, Whiteman competed against Dyess AFB, Texas, Eielson AFB, Ala., Hurlburt AFB, Fla., and Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, for the award.

"Competition among nominees was the toughest ever," said Colonel Jon Ostertag, Acting Deputy Chief, Asset Management & Operations Division, Headquarters Air Force. "Winners emerged as first-class leaders and innovators, setting new standards of excellence every day."

Several key factors played a role in the Whiteman team winning this award. One of the most visible is the ongoing effort to provide quality housing for Whiteman accompanied and unaccompanied Airmen and their families, according to the team.

With more than $154 million of family housing and dormitory construction currently underway, Whiteman has one of the most robust housing-related military construction programs in the Air Force.

The Whiteman housing team was also recognized for their operational efficiency, including a 97-percent occupancy rate in family housing, the best in ACC and 10 percent above the Air Force average. Additionally, the base dormitory occupancy rate was consistently 2 to 3 percent above the Air Force goal throughout FY2009.

Whiteman's overall resident satisfaction index for FY2009 was 3.2 percent above the ACC average as measured by an independent annual resident satisfaction survey.

"My wife and I have been very pleased with Whiteman housing," said Lt. Col. Steve Paxton, 509th Communication Squadron commander and base housing resident. "Whenever we've needed assistance regarding the home, the maintenance and office personnel have responded quickly, were always very helpful, friendly and professional."

Customer service is vital to the staff.

"Providing great customer service is our top priority," said Iris Carpenter, a 12-year housing office employee.

Their hard work and proficiency has been noted.

"This is pretty much the Stanley Cup equivalent for the housing professionals," said Lt. Col. Steve Moore, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "2010 is the Year of the Air Force Family, and it all starts with providing the best homes and the best customer service possible. Nobody does it better than Whiteman AFB! I'm very proud of my folks, and they certainly deserve the recognition."

The formal award will be presented at the PHMA Professional Development Seminar in Atlanta, Ga., in February 2010.

The Whiteman Housing Management Office team includes:
Andrea Goodson - Capital Asset Management Element Chief
Alan Olas - Housing Management Specialist
Julie Surprise - Housing Inspector
Frank McKinley - Housing Referral
Iris Carpenter - Housing Management Specialist
Joel Klonowski - Housing Management Specialist
Staff Sgt. Jeff Doucette - UPH Manager
Staff Sgt. Ray Kiser - UPH Manager
Tech. Sgt. Shaney Bowlds - UPH Superintendent
Joe Joyner - Asset Management Chief
Charles Newton - Furnishings Management
Steve Strang - Whiteman CPM, Booz Allen Hamilton
Maureen Gunter - Quality Assurance Evaluator
Lt. Col. Steve Moore - Base Civil Engineer