l. to r. Reneé Reece, hearing impaired computer assistant on Dale Bruce’s NRCS Des Moines, Iowa, State office staff; NRCS information technology specialist, Dale Bruce; and USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Mark Rey

NRCS information technology specialist, Dale Bruce was recently awarded the 2004 Super Supervisor award by the Association for Persons with Disabilities in Agriculture (APDA). On hand to present the award to Dale was USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Mark Rey. Also participating in the presentation was NRCS Associate Chief, Dana York who spoke – congratulating Dale on his award and underscoring the fact that good supervisors provide the necessary tools to enable all employees to be productive and develop their potential.

NRCS Associate Chief Dana York

Reneé Reece, a hearing impaired computer assistant on Dale’s NRCS Des Moines, Iowa, State office staff, nominated Dale for the honor. “Dale deserves this award because he is always willing to help everyone, especially those with disabilities. He consistently makes an extra effort to be supportive, encouraging, and available to solve problems. He goes above and beyond the duties of a supervisor and makes the Federal workplace a much better place,” she said. “He has provided resources to help me overcome challenges involved in using the phone, attending training classes, and participating in teleconferences,” she explained.

APDA’s yearly Super Supervisor awards recognize and honor supervisors or managers at USDA who work to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. According to Samantha Schmucker, who coordinated APDA’s 2004 Super Supervisor awards, “These awards are unique, because they are of, by, and for employees.”
Your contact is Denise Decker, NRCS APDA representative, at 202-690-0648, or denise.decker@usda.gov.