Fort Campbell Wins the 2018 CHRO Pinnacle Award

Fort Campbell’s HR Office was judged the best of the best for accomplishments in 2018. Left to right, HR Assistants Noriliz Del Rio Rogers and Kimberly Leipheimer; EVP and Chief HR Officer Leigh Roop; Fort Campbell HR Manager Cecilia Luna; Dr. Patrick Oldenburgh, Vice President HR Operations; Regional HR Manager Richard Mora; and Central Region Senior Vice President Marla Smith.

The Fort Campbell HR office was presented with the 2018 Chief Human Resources (CHRO) Pinnacle Award June 18  for making a significant impact to the Fort Campbell Exchange and driving HR strategies in FY 2018.

The CHRO award recognizes one exceptional HR office in the areas of talent acquisition, manager and associate development, cost avoidance, process improvement in programs and ability to build strategic and collaborative partnerships.

In the award’s second year, 11 HR offices competed for this honor.

“The Fort Campbell HRO exemplifies first-class customer service, and their strategies to provide employment opportunities for Soldiers and family members, are true examples of family serving family,” said EVP and Chief HR Officer Leigh Roop.

The HR office at Fort Campbell includes, HR Manager Cecilia Luna and HRAs Noriliz Del Rio Rogers, and Kimberly Leipheimer.

“Awards of this magnitude are not won alone—they are won as a team,” said Luna. “Our emotional connection with customers, allows us to deliver outstanding customer service.”

‘Pipeline’ of future associates

Seventy-five percent of the HRO’s associates in 2018 had direct military connections. Strong partnerships with community organizations is one of the reasons why this HR office won the award.

“Establishing relationships with organizations in the community is key to ensuring a pipeline of future associates,” said Dr. Patrick Oldenburgh, Vice President, HR Operations. “Their strong partnerships within the local community enables them to find, hire and retain top quality candidates. “

EVP and Chief HR Officer Leigh Roop talks about Exchange priorities with associates at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Building the bench

Thanks to the teams focus on developing talent, 49 associates were promoted and 23 received temporary promotions in 2018, which helped to build the bench.

The team collaborated with Central Region Senior Vice President Marla Smith for internal customer service training for 25 associates.

They had their first remote site RMA graduate from Smyrna Army National Guard Base, which has been a success.

Non-local, non-PCS transfers allowed Ft. Campbell to place 32 associates within the Fort Campbell Exchange, saving over $96,000. Associates were part of the spouse continuity program that allows them to take their Exchange job with them when they move to another location with their military spouse.

“As we continue to focus on improving processes and coming up with different initiatives,” said Luna, “we will continue to leave an enduring legacy of excellence for future generations of HR professionals.”