In August, the Power Marketing
Administration Human Resources
Shared Service Center launched the HR
Strategic Partnership Award, an annual
award for leaders who demonstrate
outstanding skill in partnering with HR. The
group also announced the award’s inaugural
recipient, Administrative Officer
Kellie Petty.
“To provide great HR service, we
need great partners,” said HR Director
Cheryl Reese. “HR is privileged to
work with many dedicated leaders
across three power marketing administrations. Rating criteria for this award
includes broad scope and impact of
decisions, positive educational influence upon other decision makers and
determination to nurture a strong,
results-oriented partnership for the
future.”
She went on to explain Petty’s
selection.
“Kellie has consistently proven
her commitment to getting to the
best answer by leveraging partnerships, understanding organizational
history, listening to all viewpoints
and tirelessly pushing forward to the
best solution,” she said. “The path to
the right answer can be challenging;
Kellie is a shining example of how to
work strategically with HR partners on
that journey.”
Reese made a point of thanking
Senior Vice President and Colorado
River Storage Project Manager Tim
Vigil and Senior Vice President and
Rocky Mountain Regional Manager
Bart Barnhart, Petty’s supervisors, for
grasping the importance of the award
and enthusiastically supporting her
nomination.
She explained that the award is
targeted at leaders who have broad
scope and impact of decisions, who
exert positive educational influence
upon other decision-makers and who
are determined to nurture a strong,
results-oriented partnership for the
future.
Petty said she was honored and
humbled to receive the award.
“As an administrative officer for several years with WAPA, it has given me
the rare opportunity to recognize the
need to need to bring our employees,
leaders and HR professionals together
to improve our culture, provide solutions and ensure our employees and
leaders are working together in a
respectful way to meet our common
goals,” she said.
The award ties more deeply into her
professional history than many might
expect, as well.
“I have spent the majority of my 38-
year federal civilian career in specific
HR roles,” said Petty. “It has been my
passion. I believe that everyone has
a need, should have a voice and that
constant communication is key in order
for our workforce to be successful.”
Reese explained that HR created the
award to recognize the fact that, to be a
strategic partner, HR must understand
the work of the business.
“How does each department and
role work and fit together?” she asked.
“What does the data and evidence
tell us in terms of key insights to drive
the right action at the right time? HR
must look at the big picture, and not be
‘stuck in the weeds.’ What will help our
clients reach their goals now and in the
future?”
Of course, HR is only half of the
equation; it takes a strong leader to
proactively share goals and information, helping HR to be a full partner in
securing results and achieving their
mission.
For her part, Petty understands the
value of effective collaboration with
HR.
“When we think about it, our
people and their efforts are the core
aspect of everything we accomplish
to carry out our great mission,” she
explained. “There are many entities
and individuals that help support our
employees from an HR perspective
every day. Without recognizing the
human element, everyone’s contribution and needs, we cannot succeed as
an organization.”
Moving forward, the PMA HR SSC
will consider the leaders with whom
they worked during the previous year,
nominate their candidates and arrive
at a group decision as to who should
receive the award.
Reese encouraged others to put
forth their own nominations for
consideration.
“Know of a great candidate? Submit
their name to an HR leader or business
partner,” she said. “This recognition
will be awarded annually in August of
each year.”
