When Chief Hospital Corpsman Crystal Ingram reported to Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Seven (NEPMU-7), she had one goal in mind: to help Sailors under her charge excel personally and professionally.

In recognition of her hard work and dedication Ingram, leading chief petty officer (LCPO) for NEPMU-7 was selected as the 2015 Commander, U.S. Naval Activities (COMNAVACT) Spain Senior Enlisted Leader of the Year (SELY) Jan. 29.

The award recognizes Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines assigned to COMNAVACT Spain and the National Support Elements for excellence in performance, leadership, self-improvement, community involvement and military appearance.

Ingram was selected from among 216 senior enlisted service leaders in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy paygrades E-7 and E-8 from COMNAVACT Spain activities across Spain and Portugal.

With her husband, a senior chief master-at-arms, in attendance Ingram was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal by Capt. Gregory S. Pekari, Commander, Naval Activities Spain, as part of the recognition ceremony.

A native of Haddon Field, New Jersey, Ingram was extremely surprised to be named as COMNAVACT Spain SELY.

"It is a humbling yet motivating feeling to be selected for such a title," said Ingram. "It is hard to believe that I could be recognized and awarded for doing what I love and what is expected of me as leader and a chief."

According to Capt. Juliann Althoff, NEPMU-7's officer-in-charge, Ingram is a true deckplate leader and one of the best CPOs she has ever served with.

"Her performance is exemplary; she flawlessly balances the tasks of being the unit's LCPO with service to the community at large," said Althoff. "She is not only an exemplary representative of NEPMU-7, but also the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) and Navy Medicine at large."

Capt. Eric R. Hoffman, NMCPHC executive officer echoed those sentiments adding his congratulations to NEPMU-7 leadership for being a shining example of how to develop and reward personnel.

"Clearly, this award not only acknowledges Chief Ingram's exceptional performance and commitment to her Shipmates and the community, but reflects positively on the entire NEPMU-7 staff for pursuing excellence in all that they do," said Hoffman. "Without question, the entire NMCPHC enterprise is very proud of Chief Ingram's accomplishment and values the tremendous leadership she displays every day."

In addition to unit LCPO, Ingram is also NEPMU-7's administrative LCPO. Her management ability and leadership were critical in the administrative establishment, staffing and structure of the unit, which recommissioned in 2014. She has been an active member of Naval Station Rota's CPO association as events coordinator, has been sought out as a leader in diversity for Women and African-American/Black history month activities, and acts as the U.S. Naval Hospital Rota CPO-365 chairman. Ingram accomplished these all while earning a second Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and pursing a master's degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma.

When asked about her leadership philosophy, Ingram strongly believes in this quote from speaker, author and Pastor John C. Maxwell, "Leadership is not about titles, positions or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another."

"Before I start my day I take five to ten minutes to meditate and pray for guidance on being a better leader, better friend, wife and mother, added Ingram.

"My team at NEPMU-7 makes my job as a leader easy, everyone is motivated to excel and strive for excellence. This drives and motivates me to be the best I can be when I see how hard each Sailor pushes themselves and each other. There is a lot of friendly competition and there is nothing wrong with that when it is used for good," said Ingram. "My reward is seeing previous and current Sailors excel and it's not necessarily because of what I've done alone, but as a member of the team."

"Chief Ingram is an immensely talented chief petty officer," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman William Hayden, senior enlisted leader at NEPMU-7. "You know a chief is effective and [makes an impact] when her reputation for success brings individual Sailors and organizations from around the installation to her office to seek her guidance."

For more news from Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, visit www.navy.mil/.