San Antonio Native Earns NASA JSC POWER of One Award

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Sep 11, 2013, 12:18 ET

HOUSTON, Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Krystin Mitchell of NASA Johnson Space Center's property accounting team is a June honoree of the POWER of One bronze-level award for organizational impact.

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POWER of One recognizes individual contributions and superior accomplishments for a one-time effort or project. Mitchell, who joined NASA just four years ago, was recognized for contributions above and beyond her normal duties, including her mentorship of graduate co-op student, Ryan Hancock. The award is bestowed on three levels: gold, for agency impact; silver, for center impact; and bronze, for organizational impact.

Her credentials include a master's in business administration from the University of Houston, earned while working full-time at her previous job. Mitchell is from San Antonio, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. Mitchell also is pursuing a Certified Public Accountant license.

"Krystin truly goes the extra mile to accomplish the team-oriented goals within property accounting," Hancock noted in his nominating citation.

His citation specifically commended Mitchell for her preparation and skill at communicating National Performance Review standards and responsibilities to the organizational representatives throughout NASA, with which she works.

"Teamwork is essential to our success," Mitchell said. "We can't accomplish our goals alone. Every accomplishment we make requires the support of project managers, engineers, procurement, and financial analysts."

In her accounting duties, Mitchell accounts for property transfers of all kinds. She also works with external auditors to ensure Congress and NASA's other stakeholders have credible information on the agency's finances.

Her day-to-day responsibilities, for example, helped to facilitate transfers of the space shuttles Atlantis, Discovery and Endeavour to public venues across the United States, where they are on display to thousands of visitors. Her accounting work also includes development activities such as Morpheus and Robonaut, as well as the construction of JSC's signature Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED) certified buildings.

"Her preparation, dedication and knowledge truly encompasses NASA's motto, 'For the benefit of all,'" Hancock said, who began his co-op student duties in January. "As my mentor, Krystin provided exceptional training and prepared diligently for my arrival so that my transition was as smooth and productive as possible."

SOURCE NASA