MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Food and Hospitality director was recently awarded for his outstanding achievement during his tenure as club general manager at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at a ceremony held in San Antonio, Texas, July 17.
Craig Pruett, who has been working here for about two months, is the Marine Corps’ recipient of the International Military Community Executives Association Irving Rubenstein Memorial Award.
Col. Don Davis, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, recognized Pruett in front of Marine Corps Community Service’s staff during a ceremony held at the Town and Country Ballroom, July 24.
“I would like to congratulate Craig Pruett on receiving this very prestigious award,” he said. “He is the newest member of MCLB Albany and he is joining a great MCCS team.”
Pruett said he has enjoyed working here so far.
“I really did not think I would win the award,” he said. “I knew I was nominated but since MCB Hawaii had won the award the previous two years, I did not think I had a chance.”
“I was really surprised but thrilled to win,” Pruett added. “It was a good three years in Hawaii but I am
very excited to be here. I am looking forward to
working with this great team.”
The Irving Rubenstein Memorial Award provides an incentive for young managers to aspire to great achievement in military Morale, Welfare and Recreation/Services early in their careers, according to the website, https://www.imcea.org/irvingruben-stein.html. Winners of the Irving Rubenstein Memorial Award display exceptional management skill and leadership, achieve particularly outstanding performance results in their respective programs, and possess great potential for continued success in military MWR/Services.
Each year the IMCEA honors MWR professionals who have distinguished themselves among their peers through leadership and excellence in the conduct of military MWR operations.
The Irving Rubenstein Memorial Award recognizes one MWR professional from each of the five branches of the Armed Forces who has been in an MWR management position for less than two years, displays exceptional management and leadership skills and possesses great potential for continued success in military MWR, according to the website.
Since assuming his position as the club general manager of the Officers’ and SNCO Clubs in April 2010 in Hawaii, Pruett has proven to be a highly valued and respected manager by his peers as well as patrons, according to the award nomination narrative. As the club general manager, he was responsible for the operation of two clubs generating sales in excess of $1,570,500, annually.
Pruett directed a staff of 50 and took a personal approach to train all staff members on providing high quality service to every guest. He has a positive attitude and never says no to a guest, trying to accommodate any need or desire, according to the narrative.
He was the subject matter expert and the “go-to” person for club operations and the execution of special events including The Blue Angels Air Show 2010, Bayfest Hawaii 2011, Joint Spouses Conference and several changes of command.
While in Hawaii, Pruett increased guest satisfaction, improved sales and profitability and reduced expenses through better cost controls. The clubs have remained within budget while dealing with increased deployment schedules and training programs.
This is a very prestigious award for Pruett, according to Dick French, director, MCCS, MCLB Albany.
“We are very fortunate to have Craig Pruett as part of our team,” he said. “When I meet with Craig for the first time, within about five minutes into our conversation, I felt this is the person Albany needs. He has a good team here within the Food and Hospitality Branch and his addition will make it even stronger as we approach some crucial budgeting issues ahead.”