NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 8, 2019) – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, Business Integration Office Chief Danita Jones received the Technology All-Star award for managerial leadership during the 24th Annual Women of Color Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Conference Oct., 4 in Detroit, Mich.
Jones, earned the coveted award for her demonstration of excellence in the workplace and her community, and work helping to influence STEM technology for women.
“I am honored, humbled, and thankful to have been recognized,” said Jones. “While I was singled out for this recognition, it is really a reflection of the guidance, training and mentorship I received from many others throughout my career.”
The Technology All Star Award honors professional women from mid-level to advanced career stages who show excellence in helping to shape STEM technology for the future. More than 50 extraordinary women in STEM were included in Women of Color magazine's annual list of award winners.
“Events that support STEM, such as the Women of Color in STEM Conference, are critical for USACE because they provide a forum for us to communicate the incredible mission of the Corps,” said Major General Diana M. Holland, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic District commander, who attended the event with USACE awardees.
Jones began her career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, in May 1989 as a student-aide. She worked in the District’s mailroom while studying to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After graduating from Tennessee State University in 1991, she accepted a full-time permanent position as a Management Assistant in the Information Management Office.
“My career with the Nashville District has been full of diverse assignments and challenges that have forced continued learning and growth,” said Jones. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
In 2010 Jones was selected for the headquarters USACE Long-Term Training Program which afforded her the opportunity to obtain a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2010. Later in the same year, Jones was selected to serve as the District’s Chief, Business Integration Office, where she has been for nine years. Her diverse administrative background and knowledge of District operations, coupled with her skill for leveraging automated tools and systems to streamline work processes, made her the singular choice for the position.
Outside of her regular work duties, Jones is active in her community and is particularly fond of programs that support families and youth in need. She participates in outreach activities with her church, the Living Word Community Church, such as providing school supplies and Christmas gifts to their adopted school partner; providing college students with monetary gifts that assist them in making ends meet; and making gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan’s Purse.
A few of her past community service efforts also include coordinating toy drives for children in Davidson County foster care, teaching reading to adults through the Read to Succeed Program, feeding the homeless through the Nashville Mission, and collecting donations for various women and children shelters. She has been a member of the Army Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) and Federally Employed Women (FEW).
“I am thrilled that Danita Jones was selected as a 2019 Woman of Color Technology All-Star,” said Maj. Justin Toole, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District Deputy Commander. “This recognition is well-deserved for Danita's unrelenting commitment to the Nashville District, our people, and the community.
She has been effective in leadership and strategic planning as the Business Integration Office Chief and her pivotal role in designing, communicating, facilitating, and documenting idea generation and strategy execution processes. She works closely with the Corporate Board to develop critical action plans designed to drive strategic change and improve the organizational climate.
“The programs that my team and I manage support critical district projects and we take great pride in what we do,” said Jones. “My team, Reggie, Scott and Amanda, make our office a success!!”
“Danita is a trailblazer who began working for the District in 1989, and she has been a reliable, high-achiever in all tasks and positions throughout the years. Danita leverages automated tools and systems to help leaders improve our workplace and serves as a role model for others,” said Toole.
Jones stressed that the one thing never changed over the course of her career – and that was the importance of building strong relationships.
“I appreciate all the support I receive from my teammates across the District,” said Jones.
For more than 20 years, the Women of Color STEM conference has recognized the achievement of women in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. The Women of Color awards advance the conference's mission to recognize excellence as a means for sustaining and growing the STEM pipeline.
“Furthermore, these events help us attract great talent to our organization, and even more importantly, they help us attract diverse talent,” said Holland. “The Army Corps of Engineers is stronger because of its diversity."
According to Tyrone Taborn, CEO of Career Communications Group, which created the Women of Color event, employers send a strong message to their internal and external stakeholders by supporting Women of Color's annual conference, which focuses on increasing the numbers of women in STEM and retention in science, technology, engineering and math careers.
Other USACE Technology All-Star recipients include: Kebeck Rosario, Mechanical Engineer, Charleston District; Lucy Soto, Employment Equal Opportunity Officer, Jacksonville District; Angela White, Team Lead Management, Headquarters USACE; and Tasha Wright Garrick.
A list of all award winners is posted on the Women of Color website. The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.)