Grand Forks EO director named top in AF

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) --  The U.S. Air Force named Tech. Sgt. Tomeka Parker of the 319th Air Base Wing as the Solomon Starks Jr. Equal Opportunity Director of the Year for 2011.

Parker arrived in Grand Forks in November 2010 and single-handedly filled a two-person EO office assignment responsible for more than 1,300 Airmen and civilians - one that had been vacant for two years.

"It was my responsibility to build the EO office up from scratch," said Parker, a master sergeant select. "From things as small as creating file plans to getting the commander's policy written and published."

Throughout 2011, Parker mediated more than 300 hours of informal assistance for 13 squadrons, conducted 57 human relation education courses for more than 400 Airmen and wing leaders, and saved Grand Forks AFB an estimated $900,000 in potential fees while facilitating multiple civilian disputes.

"I feel very excited, yet humbled," Parker said. "I know that I worked hard for this. I have had so much support from leadership and all base agencies.

"After receiving the award I feel everyone I've worked with can honestly say I earned it. It feels really good to have people recognize the hard work involved."

Much of that hard work involved preparation for the 319th ABW Compliance Inspection that took place in August. Parker successfully met 156 checklist items, correcting 56 deficiencies in the process and meeting satisfactory requirements for the EO office; all in a four-month span after graduating from the Air Force NCO Academy.

While the hardware and recognition is enjoyed and well deserved, Parker has other reasons she cross-trained into the EO career field in 11 years ago.

"Helping people and having challenges motivate me," she said. "They push me to be the best I can be at whatever I do. Stepping into this position and being able to tackle those challenges shows that the Air Force has gotten the best out of me."

Parker - who's earned dual master's degree in human resource management and labor relations - also resolved 20 military and civilian disputes at the lowest level and volunteered more than 80 hours on base and in the community.

"In today's Air Force there are so many different cultures and ethnic groups," she said."Everyone needs to know that we are one team one fight."

Parker was first selected as the EO Director of the Year for the Air Mobility Command before being awarded at the Air Force leve