Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Two employees from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Government Housing Office were selected for Professional Housing Managers Association National Awards at Building 1160 March 4.

Each year all housing, billeting and public private venture partners’ offices submit nominees to their service level housing chain of command to compete and be selected for one of the awards.

“It is a special day because we get to recognize two individuals for their professional dedication,” said Brig. Gen. John W. Bullard, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations-West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “The best part, is that out of four awards we are presenting two to our employees, which really speaks to their level of effort and what they do.”

Henrietta Pearman, the housing application manager for the Family Housing Branch, was selected for the Outstanding Middle Housing Manager of the year.

According to her award, she won for making the Camp Pendleton Housing Office the first to enable electronic digital signatures on all required housing application forms.

Service members are now able to use their common access cards to electronically sign and submit forms, allowing them to complete their applications in minutes.

“I have been at this job for a little over a year and I am still pinching myself to believe I’m really here,” said Pearman. “Coming up with the common access card solution feels really good, I feel like I’m dreaming.”

Steven Carlen, the budget analyst for the Family Housing Branch, was selected for the Outstanding Housing/Billeting Employee of the Year.

With his supervisor temporarily assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Carlen acted as the fiscal director from October 2013 to January 2014. During this time he ensured efficient utilization of programmed funds, while drafting and submitting all budget reporting information on time with 100% accuracy, according to his award.

“It’s an honor to be working for housing, it is the best place I have worked in all my years,” said Carlen. “I am truly honored to receive this award. It was a lot of work, but I am glad my boss had the confidence in me to give me a chance to do a job that is above me.”

The ceremony ended with Bullard thanking the winners for all of their hard work.

“Everybody thanks you for what you do for not only the Marines, sailors and families, but also by ensuring we keep up our obligation to use our resources wisely and stay within budget,” said Bullard.