Cullman native, Timothy K. Garrett, received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award from Conrad F. Whyne, director of the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.

Project Manager receives Army award

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. — Cullman native, Timothy K. Garrett, was recently presented with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in recognition of his leadership during the safe destruction of the 661,529 chemical munitions stored here.

The award, signed by the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, was presented by Conrad F. Whyne, director of the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

According to the citation, Garrett “provided superior leadership, managerial expertise, and lifecycle management in overseeing the safe elimination of the chemical agent stockpile at the (Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility) well ahead of international treaty requirements while achieving outstanding performance in safety and environmental compliance.”

The Meritorious Civilian Service Award is the second highest award the Secretary of the Army or a major Army commander can present to an Army civilian employee.

Garrett is the son of Carole E. Garrett and the late Jim Garrett, remembered by many as the manager of the Cullman Power Board. Before earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama, Garrett played on the Cullman High School football, basketball, and baseball teams. He was also a member of the national honor society. He graduated from Cullman High School in 1979.

Garrett was named the site project manager for the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (ANCDF) in early 2000. The facility was designed and constructed to safely and efficiently destroy 2,254 tons of chemical agents (GB, VX, and Mustard) in munitions stored at Anniston Army Depot.

Chemical munitions were first delivered to the depot in 1963. Their destruction began at the ANCDF in August 2003. Under Garrett’s leadership, the team of government and contractor employees safely destroyed the last chemical munitions stored here Sept. 22, 2011.

Garrett’s Federal career began in 1987 as a chemical engineer in the Environmental Management Division, Anniston Army Depot. He subsequently became chief of the Environmental Engineering Branch and then chief, Environmental Control and Engineering Division. Garrett is a member of the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps.

Garrett is a licensed professional engineer now living in Etowah County. He and his wife Lori, also a Cullman native, have a teenage daughter, Erin.