Speech
ICCW Excellence in Leadership Awards
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
State Capitol
5/15/2003
***Check Against Delivery***
Good afternoon! It is such a pleasure for me to participate in this ceremony to honor the individuals who are truly making a difference in workplaces across Montana.
Jean and members of ICCW, thank you for inviting me to join you today. And thank you for sponsoring these awards along with the other good work you do all year long for state employees.
And a special thanks to each and every one of you for being here. This is the fifth year for ICCW to recognize women who are outstanding leaders.
It is important to take time in our busy lives to count our blessings, particularly when the blessings are the people who surround us each day. All too often, we are in too much of a hurry to thank others for the gifts they bring to our lives.
Such is not the case here -- the nominations received were powerful statements for what each nominee has done for women in the workplace. Those nominations show that we truly appreciate leaders who are insightful and considerate of others.
Insightful in knowing the value of what women can bring to an organization, and that it is worthy to take additional steps to assist women to reach their full potential.
Insightful in knowing that an organization can be strengthened when it opens doors of opportunities for others.
Insightful in knowing that breaking through the “glass ceiling” is not an achievement unless we are able to widen the spot to include other women.
Historically, our state has had, and continues to have, some very insightful women leaders. From Jeannette Rankin, numerous state legislators and local government officials, members of my cabinet - women in our state play a key role.
Growing up in Butte, we had many incredible female role models, but just like many other areas in the state and country, it was often difficult for those individuals to take the lead in our community and businesses.
Times have certainly changed, and more and more women are making their way into leadership positions in business and government, and taking advantage of opportunities.
It is an opportune time to reflect upon how far we have come as women and to recognize those who have succeeded and those who have assisted others to move up the career ladder.
To those being recognized today, my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to step forward and serve as role models in our workplaces and communities.
At this time, I would like to individually recognize the award recipients.
We will begin with this year’s award to an individual in the public sector.
The person selected in this category is Lieutenant Colonel Nikki DeWolf, who serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel in the Montana Army National Guard.
Nikki, please come forward as I highlight your accomplishments. Nikki, at her present rank of Lieutenant Colonel, has the distinguished accomplishment of being in the highest-ranking position held by a female officer since the inception of the State Militia in 1867.
Lt. Colonel DeWolf entered the military in 1978, a time when military service wasn’t celebrated, as the Nation was reeling from the war in Vietnam.
During Officers’ Candidate School, where great pride is taken to evict the “weak” or those considered lacking in the skills of a leader, Candidate DeWolf overcame every obstacle that was thrown in front of her. She emerged at the top of her class.
Nikki’s long list of achievements include: Commander of the 210th Personnel Company, and the first female Commander of the 2/111th Press Camp.
Nikki was also the first female in the Montana Guard to serve as a Battalion Operations officer. She has earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.
Quietly and efficiently Nikki has changed the image of women in uniform in the Montana Guard, according to the individual who nominated her, Colonel Joel Cusker, Deputy Chief of Staff, Montana Army National Guard.
This revelation occurred to him during the Fires of 2000 when Colonel DeWolf was assigned as the first female Task Force Commander during State Activation. As he noted, “She did an incredible job building a high-performing team – a team that met every mission, without any injuries or accidents and performed beyond expectations in a dangerous environment.”
Please join me in congratulating Nikki for her receipt of this award.
Nikki, would you like to say a few words?
Let’s now turn to this year’s winner in the private sector category.
I am pleased to present this award to Linda Overstreet, President of Corporate Air, headquartered in Billings. Linda, will you please come forward as I highlight your accomplishments?
Linda has taken a small air charter service and built it into an internationally recognized aviation network. As Owner and president, she has presided over its corporate growth for the past 20 years.
Through her leadership in 1995, Corporate Air was given the White House Communication agency “Certificate of Appreciation” for its unique abilities, coupled with superb attitude and professionalism. They also received the Montana Chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives Philanthropy Award for outstanding corporation for the year 2000.
It is also noteworthy, that the employees of Corporate Air have received numerous recognitions by the FAA, which gives further proof of her excellent leadership abilities.
Not only does Linda excel in business but Linda is also very community-minded. She is a Red Cross board member and is an EMT certified volunteer. She was recently named to the board of the Deaconess Billings Clinic. And, if that isn’t enough, she is also a Sunday school teacher at her local church.
Key positions in Linda’s corporate organization have been filled with women.
Women filled these positions, not because they were women, but because everyday barriers that would have encumbered their ability to be considered as a candidate for these positions were removed.
As Curt Bourg, Vice President of Administration, Corporate Air, stated in his nomination, “Linda is a model leader for women in Montana who are interested in achievement in the private sector.”
Congratulations, Linda, on receiving this award.
Linda, would you like to say a few words?
Our final award category today is for a woman in state government.
I couldn’t be more delighted to present this award as it is honoring one of my Cabinet members, Wendy Keating. Wendy, will you please come forward as I highlight your accomplishments?
I appointed Wendy as the Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry for many of the same reasons that she was selected for this award. I have truly come to appreciate the quiet strength of this woman.
Wendy came up through the ranks of the Department, from working in the Billings Job Service Center, moving up to Manager of that center, on to Administrator of the Workforce Services Division and finally the Commissioner of Department of Labor and Industry.
Her innovative and big picture thinking has effectively shaped the Department of Labor and Industry into one of the most respected agencies in state government today.
One example of her successful leadership abilities, which was noted in the nomination form, was her vision for taking what was known as the “unemployment office” to a whole new level, that of “business services office.” She overcame all obstacles to make this successful transition for Montana’s workforce system.
During her tenure as Workforce Services Division Administrator, her commitment to continuous improvements in the system itself, and most importantly in customer service and satisfaction, led the Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies to designate the Workforce Services Division an “Architect of Change.”
She has spent years of service challenging existing procedures and policies obsolete for today’s users of the workforce system. Wendy lives a life of example for all leaders and this has gained her national recognition as a dynamic change agent.
Her opinion is valued among Montana Businesses, partners in the workforce system, Montana government leaders, federal Department of Labor leaders, and directors of state labor departments and workforce agencies across the country.
Most recently, Commissioner Keating has led her Department to creatively address the looming worker shortage in Montana state government, particularly for leadership positions. Through her abilities to mold others and lead by example, she has helped to create a pipeline of potential managers who can inspire and lead others.
As noted by Kelly Chapman and Diane West in their nomination of Wendy: “In the truest sense of mentorship, Wendy has dedicated years to mentoring and molding leaders. Women seek her out because she will provide guidance that is true, honest, and focused on the individual. Wendy mentors so that she can experience the joy of watching others grow and develop.”
Wendy Keating has reached a level of influence that transcends the Department of Labor and Industry.
Congratulations Wendy on this well-deserved award.
Wendy, would you like to say a few words?
Let’s give another round of applause to all of today’s recipients.
I’d like to sincerely thank all of you who have joined me here today in honor of these individuals, and in honor of all who strive to enhance the work environment for each and every one of us.
I hope you’ll stay for the reception to follow this ceremony.
Good afternoon, and God Bless.
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