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Atlanta:Press Releases
Business Control Systems Associate
Excelling After Successful and Extensive Military Career
In Memory of CPT Sean E. Lyerly, a
dear friend of Kelli Essoufi’s and a Home Depot Manager in Austin,
Texas, who made the ultimate sacrifice on January 21, 2007 when the
UH 60 Blackhawk he was piloting was shot down by a surface-to-air
missile. He left behind a wife Csilla and a son Zachary. Please keep
him, his family and all who are still supporting that mission and
their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
Kelli Essoufi joined BCS in January and is currently working in IT
Store Operations Support for Home Depot in Austin, Texas.
Previously, she was a full time member of the Texas Army National
Guard (AGR) Active Guard and Reserve Program, from where she retired
after 20 years as a Senior Human Resources Supervisor specializing
in automation, development and training.
During her military career, she was deployed to Ft. Hood, Texas for
Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and for Operation Iraqi Freedom
2006-2007. She deployed with the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade (Task
Force Mustang) for OIF 06-07 as a Sr. Human Resource Supervisor and
was stationed at Camp Anaconda, Balad, Iraq where she coordinated
the set up, maintenance, training and procedural operation of DCIPS
Forward, (Casualty Reporting System) and DTAS, (Deployed Theatre
Accountability System). While in Iraq, she was the Strength
Management NCOIC, Postal Officer, Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator, Absentee Voting Coordinator, Combined Federal Campaign
Coordinator and Continuity Coordinator developing Standard Operating
Procedures for all actions performed by the Brigade HR office
ensuring feasibility for their unique organizational structure while
retaining regulatory correctness and meeting all theatre
requirements.
About the Brigade:
Approximately 2500 personnel were from 16 state Army Guard units.
The brigade was augmented by over 200 Individual Ready Reserve Army
soldiers from 36 different states. The 36th CAB is the first
National Guard Combat Air Brigade under the Army's reformatting
plan.
Task Force Mustang shipped to Iraq in September 2006 in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, following a few weeks of Boots on the
ground training at Camp Buehring, Kuwait in August. They completed
five months of flight and Theatre Immersion training at Fort Hood,
Texas and Fort Sill, Oklahoma and were certified "Fit to Fight" by
Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, commanding general, First U.S. Army, on
30 July 2006.
In the first eight months in Iraq, 36th CAB units flew 51,000 combat
flight hours while executing almost 7,300 combat missions. 36 CAB
has hauled more than 230,000 passengers, moved more than 15 million
pounds of cargo, conducted almost 60 large combat air assaults,
provided outstanding Medevac support to save many Soldiers' lives,
and supported ground troops with AH-64 Apaches every day.
In Conus, (in the US and not deployed), Kelli was assigned to 149th
PSB, 71st Troop Command, Task Force Texas, 636th Military
Intelligence Battalion and the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. Her
primary duty was Sr. Human Resources Supervisor but she had the
opportunity to perform the following duties as well: Project
Officer, Public Affairs, Facilitator, Security Officer,
(clearances), and a 5 ½ year tour with the Counter Drug Program. She
credits the military in giving her strength, tenacity, sturdy work
ethic, patience, thick skin, confidence and the base knowledge for
her future career endeavors.
Kelli says she is excited to have the opportunity to expand her IT
and customer service skills as an associate of Business Control
Systems for the IT Help Desk for Store Operations Support at Home
Depot. “I loved my career in the military in the variety and
knowledge it gave to me. For me, it was an invaluable precursor for
any future career endeavors I choose to pursue. It made me realize
that anything is possible if you remain resilient and that even in
moments of chaos and uncertainty…clarity can be obtained.”
Since her military retirement, even while working full time as a
contractor with BCS, Kelli has had more time to spend with her two
sons, Adam, 13 yrs, and Zane, 7 yrs, who live with her in Wells
Branch, Austin, TX. Adam who is a gymnast will be representing Round
Rock High School on their Varsity Men’s Team next year, currently
plays select soccer with the Cougars in Wells Branch and competes in
track. Zane competes in swim team, soccer, and gymnastics.
About the Photo:
Left to right (back row) 1lt Sheila Tidrick, SFC Kelli Essoufi, SPC
Juriana Gloria, SGT Victor Hosey, LTC Brandon Watkins, SPC Adam
Bock, SPC Tia Butler, WO1 Elizabeth Brite, Left to right (front
row)*MAJ Mac , SSG Rhiannan Smith,* MSG Castro, SSG Rodriguez
This photo was taken in front of a Blackhawk on the flight line in
Camp Anaconda, Balad, Iraq. LTC Watkins had brought some Chuy’s
t-shirts for them when he returned from R & R (this photo was
hanging in the Round Rock Chuy’s the last time Kelli was there), and
while there, they were presented with the opportunity to take a
photo with the Home Depot Banner and they could not resist.
When Kelli started working at The Home Depot IT SOS office, the
orange Home Depot sign seemed very familiar to her. She shops at The
Home Depot…but she knew it was something else and then she went
through her photos and found this photo. Could it be destiny? She
doesn’t know, but she loves working there and thanks BCS and Home
Depot for opening up that opportunity for her.
