MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Reah Andrews, Hazardous Materials supervisor and Fuels Management officer for Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., has been awarded not one, but two, highly coveted awards this month.
The first award is a local Supervisor of the Quarter award which she received at the Quarterly Awards Breakfast ceremony held at the Maj. Gen. James L. Day Conference Center on base, April 17.
“During 2017, Mrs. Andrews’ unwavering initiative contributed greatly to the quality support provided to our customers,” stated Colonel Sekou S. Karega, commanding officer aboard MCLB Barstow. “This was evident during numerous anonymous Interactive Customer Evaluation system comments, complimenting Mrs. Andrews for her unwavering customer support, ‘go to’ attitude and support to the mission.”
Andrews supervises six employees in addition to her other areas of operation.
“Reah is an outstanding leader and employee who understands the commander’s intent,” said Maj. Alfredo Romero, S-4 director. “You give her a task and she will execute it flawlessly. She is a great people person and what we provide in the S-4 is customer support. I expect her to go places and make bigger impacts in the near future."
When tasked with another duty as assigned, she has a reputation of completing the task while keeping a people-first attitude.
“Constantly switching hats between programs with so many moving parts, keeps me on my toes,” Andrews said. “Luckily I have a highly functional team at the hazardous materials warehouse. They allow for impeccable day to day operations of receiving, labeling, transferring and delivery of hazmat materials.”
Her strength as a leader comes from individual characteristic traits such as her constant sense of gratitude, and her ability to persuade others. Getting involved with these programs has allowed her to interact with myriad professionals and she uses these opportunities and connections for personal growth.
“Mrs. Andrews is an intelligent, strong, persuasive and knowledgeable leader who has a clear sense of direction and purpose,” said Richard Green, S-4 Logistics deputy director. “Her unbridled leadership comes to the forefront in her support for her employees. She is very professional and always on target for mission accomplishment.”
In addition to SOQ, Andrews was nominated and awarded Marine Corps Fuel Civilian of the Year. Her chain-of-command submitted her nomination to the director of Naval Supply Systems Command’s Energy Office. Notification came back of her award, with details on date, time and location of ceremony yet to be determined.
“As part of Mrs. Andrews’ daily responsibilities, she is directly involved in the following: Supervise all integrated fuel operations aboard MCLB Barstow; perform liaison with fuel service customers, activity departments, and government agencies; perform operational maintenance of bulk fuel facilities and equipment; oversee fuel storage and transfer operations with tankers, refuelers, convoys, and heavy equipment; oversee the receipt and issue of six grades of capitalized fuel; plan and initiate military construction, repair, and improvement fuel projects aboard MCLB Barstow,” Romero said.
During 2017, Andrews also accomplished the successful end of month and end of year closeouts with six grades of fuel. She passed all underground and above-ground storage tank inspections. Because of her proactive work ethic, she helped maintain the Mojave Desert Air Quality District permits alongside the base’s Environmental Division, explained Romero. She also issued and inventoried over 480 Fuel Keys, processed 10,702 sales transactions, and posted over 2,190 physical inventories.
“Our job is to get customers and warfighters the materials they need to be mission prepared,” Andrews said. Rather it be solvents, tanks of fuel, or kits of paint, everything is essential to keeping operational readiness.”
“For fuel construction projects, Andrews participated in the planning, development, and final approval of over 2 million dollars’ worth of modernization aboard the Yermo Annex and 1.2 million dollars’ worth of modernization aboard the Nebo main with DLA Energy, U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command, Army Corps of Engineers and local advisors,” Romero said. “She also oversaw the completion of over $208K in maintenance service requests and her bulk fuel support helped MCLB Barstow rail operations move over 356 tons of cargo and over 24,350 pieces of U.S. Army and Marine Corps operational equipment.”
Her duties don’t stop there, though. Andrews volunteered to become a Special Government Employee with the Voluntary Protection Program, a safety program which falls under the purview of Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
“As an SGE, Andrews was requested to assist in the audit of the Phillips 66 Santa Maria, Calif., refinery,” Romero said. “She was selected and has completed the New Leader Program through Graduate School USA and she is now nearing completion of her Bachelors of Science degree in Social Psychology.”
“In February of this year, I completed an additional SGE audit at Pueblo Chemical
Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant,” Andrews said.
Being active and multi-tasking runs in her family. One of her hobbies is keeping up with a lively teenage daughter. Between softball, flag, and cheerleading she keeps Andrews busy.
“I also have an incredibly supportive husband that supports me as I continue my journey to higher education,” Andrews said. “In May I'll conclude my undergraduate degree. In the summer I'll apply for graduate school. My desire to learn is never quenched.”
In the end, it is the people and the mission which drive Andrews.
“The most important part of my job is achieving superior customer satisfaction while meeting
mission objectives,” Andrews said.
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