November 20, 2014 -- Friends and family gathered at Marine Corps Logistics Base’s Chapel to bid farewell to Michelle Polk, Deputy Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers, Marine Corps Logistics Command, Oct 30.
Polk, originally from Petersburg, Virginia, began her federal career as a Systems Accountant in 1980 for the Fleet Material Support Office, Mechanics-burg, Pennsylvania. In 1992, she transferred from the Navy to the Marine Corps where she was selected as Industrial Systems Analyst for Maintenance Center Albany. In 1995, she promoted to an information technology specialist for the Maintenance Center Albany.
Over the next several years Polk transitioned through the ranks on the installation until 2008 when she was temporarily promoted as the Logistics Support Division chief in the C4 Department, and later became the deputy director.
Friends and colleagues discussed their relationship, personal association and the impact the retiree has had on them.
“There is so much I can say about Michelle but to sum it up in four words – dedicated, driven, motivated, and compassionate,” Glenda House, supervisor information specialist, C4, LOGCOM shared. “I have personally witnessed all of these characteristics during the course of our professional and personal relationship. She is dedicated to her family, her career and her friends.
“She is driven by the need to make a difference and motivated to accomplish whatever task is put in front of her. She has been my co-worker, team leader, supervisor, deputy and, more importantly, my true friend,” House added. “She has also been my biggest competitor in who can lose the most weight; who can do the most exercise; who can make the best grades. I can truly say that I have never met a person as genuine as she and there will definitely be a big void without her.”
Another co-worker, Jackie Mitchell, branch chief, Legacy Sustainment Branch, C4, LOGCOM, comments about Polk’s character.
“Michelle is the consummate professional who is 100% dedicated to meeting her department’s mission and objectives,” Mitchell said. “A professional warrior who will stay in the battle until the mission is reported accomplished. Defeat is not, was not, and will not be an option, as the word is not in her vocabulary and certainly not a hint of it can be found in her DNA.
“(Michelle) is a dedicated mother, wife, sister, mentor, and friend,” he pointed out. “She does not know how to do anything without being vested, at minimum 100%. A commitment that she has delivered repeatedly, never wavered from or been called into questioned over an 18-year professional relationship. Michelle D. Polk – my battle tested professional colleague and true friend.”
Hal Gobin, Director, C4, LOGCOM shared his opinion of his deputy director.
“Michelle is one of those exceptional people who makes one look forward to coming to work,” Gobin said. “Her enthusiasm, mentorship style, general goodwill, and her teacher-student management style are the types of attributes to look for when looking for an exceptional leader. I have been truly blessed to be given the opportunity to work with someone who is so positive and understands what needs to happen to be successful.
“I will miss her laughter, her great sense of humor, her “Darn Skippy!” moments, and simply working with her,” Gobin added. “She is the kind of person that I knew I could always count on to do the right thing for the right reason, and she will be missed.”