MacDill Arts & Crafts wins at Air Force level

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Arts & Crafts Center at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, was selected among 62 programs across the Air Force to win the 2014 Arts & Crafts Program of the Year.

"Just three years ago there was a 'target' on Arts & Crafts Centers across the Air Force when it was thought that it wasn't a needed or wanted program," said Tamara Zell, Arts & Crafts Center manager. 

However, during this period the 10 staff members at MacDill were able to refine their skills and grow their customer patronage to an average of 2,300 per month, which included car wash customers.

Today, the Frame Shop, Awards Shop, Wood Hobby Shop, and Auto Hobby Shop work together to make the Arts & Crafts Center a one-stop-shop where a customer's idea can become reality.

"One of the strongest attributes of our program is the people here that do the work, make the products, teach the classes and serve the customer," said Zell, who went on to add that several of the members are cross-trained, which allows the shop to readily provide customer assistance while still getting projects done on time.

In November 2014, the program won the Air Mobility Command Arts & Crafts Program of the year. Each program was rated by mission accomplishments and innovation, leadership and management, and customer focus.

It was officially announced in March 2015 that MacDill had won at the Air Force level as well.

"It's all about taking care of our customers as effectively and efficiently as possible!" said Zell. "We want to acknowledge the support of our customers who continue to seek us out and appreciate the quality and savings that they receive."

In addition to these customers, the staff has been recognized for excellence in service by various leaders, such as the Joint Communications Support Element commander.

"We are proud to represent all of the Arts & Crafts programs around the Air Force and to be a showcase of how much the services we provide are wanted and valued, and should always be a part of the Air Force way of life," said Zell.