ICYMI: Now With Video! Outstanding Associate with a Disability Honored for Her Work
Exchange EVP and Chief Logistics Officer Karen Stack, right, joins Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness James Stewart and Exchange associate Amina Grant at the awards ceremony.
(Watch a video of Grant being recognized at the Dan Daniel DC.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Exchange’s Outstanding Associate with a Disability worldwide winner Amina Grant has advice for other associates with disabilities: “Be yourself.”
“Don’t see yourself as your disability,” said Grant, a materials handler leader at the Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.
Grant began at the Exchange distribution center 21 years ago as a member of the janitorial staff. Due to her hard work and reliability, her supervisors consistently recommended her for promotion each time her yearly review came up. Grant has worked in order selection and now, as a materials handler leader in storage, she guides others in the receiving and stocking of the product coming into the distribution center, ensuring it is the correct quantity and meets the Exchange’s quality standards.
“My disability is not going to stop me from doing my job,” Grant said of her approach to her work.
Grant’s supervisors say she is a role model to her fellow associates.
“They look up to her,” said Scott Montgomery, the DC’s manager. “They notice her work and her success, and they want to be like her.”
Grant said her first feelings upon finding out that she had received the honor were “shock and joy.”
She also expressed gratitude for the award, which she received Oct. 3 during the Department of Defense’s Outstanding Employees with a Disability award ceremony at the Pentagon. Watch Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness James N. Stewart present the award to Grant here at 43:18.
Karen Stack, Exchange executive vice president and chief logistics officer, also attended the ceremony to congratulate Grant on her award and thank her for her exceptional work.
Regional winners include:
- HQ: Christopher Warnick, 0perations technician, E-Commerce Directorate
- Western Region: Jennifer Kimmich, food service worker, Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- Central Region: Logan Calcaterra, customer experience associate Little Rock AFB
- Eastern Region: Danessa Fryer, laborer, Fort Bragg/Seymour Johnson AFB
- Europe Region: Louis Roscoe, laborer, Ramstein AB
The Exchange is dedicated to a diverse, inclusive workforce. Exchange managers partner with Human Resources to recruit, retain and advance people with targeted disabilities.
