The retirement countdown clock is getting close to “0” for one of Skookum’s longstanding and faithful site managers.
Tom Duchateau
has been with the Skookum team since the start of our contract at the Central Issuing Facility (CIF) at the Fort Hood Army Post in Killeen, Texas. Tom was with the incumbent contractor when we had taken over the contract and eventually was promoted to Site/Project Manager. Like many of Skookum’s Fort Hood employees, Tom is one of our many valued Veterans. He retired from the Army after 26 years and nine days after faithfully serving as an Accounting Specialist. He has decided to hang up his hat starting in July of this year. But before he leaves, I wanted to sit down with him and ask him a few questions. The following are his responses.
Q: After you leave, what will you miss most about Skookum?
[Tom]: Probably the thing that I’ll miss the most is the camaraderie. There have been so many great folks that I’ve met over the past nine years. Can’t praise our Home Office support team enough. From the contract startup in 2011, the support we’ve received from all the folks in Bremerton has been just outstanding. From Accounts Payable to the Payroll Branch, and from our Human Resources to Recruiting…what a magnificent group of folks!!!
Q: I know you have worked for other Contractors before, is there anything that makes Skookum different?
[Tom]: Truly I believe that some of the key differences that make Skookum stand above the other contractors is its transparency. In the 25 years with the CIF never have I seen the openness, sincerity or better lines of communication than with Skookum Contract Services. Whenever in doubt or having questions, a simple phone call to the Home Office opened so many helpful doors.
Q: If you had one piece of advice for other Site/Project Managers, what would it be?
[Tom]: Instinctively, we as managers understand that when an employee is happy, energized and satisfied they’ll produce stronger and put forth that extra effort. Far too often we feel that happiness is achieved by those material things like a pay raise or title. Teamwork and camaraderie are important along with laughter, friendship and beyond a doubt, less stress. It’s so easy to build a working atmosphere of camaraderie and fun. I’ve always fallen back on just four words that had helped me in building teamwork and esprit de corps: Enthusiasm, Compassion, Empathy and Caring. It’s up to Managers and Supervisors to set the tone.
In July Tom will have been with Skookum for 9 years and with the Fort Hood team, even longer. Skookum thanks Tom for his service to country and to the Skookum mission.
