Alice Stanton, NSF Dahlgren MWR recreation director, receives the CNIC NDW 2009 Manager of the Year Award from John Baker, CNIC director, N9 Fleet & Family Readiness Programs, (right), and Ed Cannon, CNIC director, N92 MWR Programs, (left), at the CNIC Awards Banquet held Oct. 11 in conjunction with the 2009 National Parks & Recreation Conference in Salt Lake City.

The awards banquet was held in association with the 2009 National Parks & Recreation Conference.

Receiving such an honor certainly had an impact on Stanton.

‘‘I was very humbled by it. I have a terrific team of people and have the benefit of strong support from the leadership above me. This award is really a testament to all the great work they do to support our customers,” she said.

As MWR Recreation Services Director at Dahlgren, Stanton is responsible for supervising the managers and facility recreation teams of the Bowling Center, Mean Gene’s Food Service, Liberty Program, General Library, Auto Skills Center, Outdoor Gear Issue, ITT, Movie Theater, River Range Lounge, Craftech and the special events program.

‘‘We make sure that our Sailors and their families have interesting and top quality activities to enhance their quality of life at NSASP Dahlgren,” Stanton said.

She has had lots of time to develop the right programs for the base. Stanton has been an MWR employee ‘‘for 13 years now, but it has been a labor of love for me, and time just seems to fly by. I truly look forward to coming to work every day.”

Stanton’s award nomination detailed the breadth of work accomplished under her leadership.

‘‘During this fiscal year, Alice and her team have provided services and events to over 95,000 patrons during 21,000 total hours of operation for all of the Recreation Division facilities. The goal of the Recreation Division is to provide leisure programs and activities for all authorized patrons, and Alice insures that her team of professionals works towards this each day.”

Stanton, whose son recently left for his first year of college, manages to find time outside work to get involved in other facets of life.

‘‘I enjoy volunteering in the community by serving on the King George County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the board of the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter in Fredericksburg,” Stanton said. She also coaches Special Olympics Area 11 track and field and teaches Sunday school for high school students at Potomac Baptist Church in King George.

‘‘On and off the job, Alice is the epitome of what every recreation director should be and strive for,” the award nomination read. ‘‘Not only is Alice the recreation director, she is responsible for all NSF Dahlgren Special Events including concerts, open houses, seasonal fairs and numerous outreach programs to all patrons, adults and children.”

Stanton’s outstanding efforts include introducing several new activities onboard NSF Dahlgren such as the Radio Control Airplane Club, chess tournaments, River Range Olympics and birthday parties at Craftech. She also was instrumental in securing a grant to enhance Dahlgren Base Library programs. Along with the library manager, Stanton has assisted in the purchase of new computers, books and equipment.

Not unlike many NSASP employees, Stanton has learned the definition of being a ‘‘team player.” She also was cited for her work this year in developing and implementing the games and contests held at this year’s NSF Indian Head Autumn Fest.

Stanton will not rest on her laurels. There always is a new challenge in her future.

‘‘We want to do whatever our customers may ask us to do and we would also like to do more things that really make a difference in their lives long-term. I would also like to start working on activities to support the Wounded Warrior Program,” Stanton said.

The award sums up her work performance well.

‘‘Although Alice’s accomplishments seem effortless, she is one of the hardest working team members in the MWR department and puts in many long hours to insure the success of every activity and event.”

Despite earning the award, Stanton’s pay off isn’t represented by a plaque or getting her picture in the paper.

Most rewarding for her, ‘‘without question,” she said, is that ‘‘we live to see a smile on the face of a child, a Sailor, or any of our customers.”