Commander, Navy Region Northwest has selected its top civilian employees for 2007.
Nabbing supervisory Civilian of the Year honors was Beth Leone-Mullins, regional community services director for Fleet and Family Readiness.
Receiving non-supervisory Civilian of the Year recognition was Sheila Murray, Navy Region Northwest environmental public affairs specialist, and
collateral duty public affairs officer (PAO) for Naval Magazine Indian Island (NAVMAG). 
Leone-Mullins was recognized for her daily commitment to the quality of life of service members and their families throughout the region.
“Being recognized for this award makes me proud of the career field I’ve chose and that my passion, dedication, skills and hard work have made a
positive impact on the Navy Community,” said Leone-Mullins.
One of the biggest contributions she made last year was her work as project manager for the Naval Base Kitsap conversion of the Strike Zone bowling
alley into a full blown entertainment center, which includes, in addition to the six bowling lanes, a resource center and library, a movie room, a tickets
and tours storefront, an Internet room, a game area, and an outdoor recreational rental front desk. 
She said she credits her staff and customers for helping make her job the success it has been.
“I owe a lot to the team that supports me daily, the customer who is not afraid to provide feedback, and some really outstanding role models that I have
worked with over the 22 years I have been with Navy MWR,” she said.
According to John Edwards, regional community activities operations manager, it is the energy she brings to the job that sets the pace. 
“Beth is a very grounded and engaged manager,” said Edwards. “She always wants to do what is ‘right’ for everyone she comes into contact with.”
“One of her tremendous team attributes, in a base-regional matrix organization, is her ambidextrous ability to balance both regional and base issues. She
is truly a wonderful base manager and likewise a wonderful regional manager,” Edwards added.
Leone-Mullins said one of the biggest things she enjoys is making customers happy, which, to her, makes it all worthwhile. 
“I really enjoy seeing the customers using MWR facilities and participating in our programs,” said Leone-Mullins. Other than that, I just stay
positive and do my best.”
Murray was credited for her efforts as “caretaker” of the Navy’s environmental image and increasing the Navy’s public trust and credibility across
throughout the region. This consisted of the management of five long-term Environmental Impact statements (EIS) that included the Swimmer
Interdiction Security System and the Northwest Range Complex.
“I don’t really look at this award as being ‘mine’. I am receiving this as part of a team. I could never do what I need to do without the support of
others,” said Murray. 
As NAVMAG collateral PAO, Murray was instrumental in the execution of a number of open-house format outreach for NAVMAG in Jefferson
County that addressed community concerns. 
“Sheila has been instrumental in turning public relations between Naval Magazine Indian Island and Jefferson County into a ‘family’ type
atmosphere,” said Cmdr. George Whitbred, NAVMAG commanding officer. She has promoted the Navy’s image within the local community of
trust and confidence when it comes to the residents of the largest county in Washington state.”
“People in the Northwest are very environmentally conscious, and the Navy’s presence in the region is equally tuned to environmental responsibility,”
added Sean Hughes, regional deputy public affairs officer, and Murray’s supervisor. “Sheila works behind the scenes so Navy leadership knows the public’s
concerns in ongoing issues, and then she steps in front of the scenes to make sure the public understands what the Navy is doing.”
When not on the job, Murray is extremely active in the community. She works with the Mayor of Poulsbo on (Americans with Disabilities Act) issues, works
through the Governor’s Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities, and the regional federal Leadership Committee for Group Health. She is also
active in her church, and with schools and youth sports.
“I feel that the most satisfying part of my job is the building of a relationship between the Navy and the local community,” she added. “We are neighbors and
share the same environment. It’s important to me that we work together as partners with the same goal.
Perhaps Murray sums it up best with what she has confesses to those that know her best.
“I love what I do so it doesn’t feel like work. I have the best job in the region!”