Hard work, helping people punctuate federal servant’s 55-year career

By Alison Kohler

Regional Administrator Michael Copeland, Lease Contracting Officer Brenda Lee Ladage, Bill Rogers, Ladage's spouse, and Regional Commissioner Kevin Rothmier pose for a photo following the presentation of a Regional Administrator's Exceptional Service Award and a Regional Commissioner's Exceptional Service Award. Ladage will retire from GSA with more than 55 years of federal service. "We are all only reassured about your departure, because we know the lasting legacy of institutional knowledge and expertise you were so gracious to share with colleagues will live on as they try to replicate your supreme example of what dedicated federal service looks like," Rothmier said. Photograph by Alison Kohler

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A GSA employee known for her hard work and helpful nature was lauded by the Heartland Region Dec. 17 before retiring from her last and favorite role as a lease contracting officer.

Brenda Lee Ladage, an LCO whose primary customer is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, dedicated more than 55 years of federal service, beginning her federal career at just 17 years old.

“I hitchhiked from the Appalachian Mountains to Washington, D.C. to ‘get me a government job,’” Ladage said. “Here I am 55-plus years later still working for the government.”

Ladage’s ambition to work for the federal government was sparked by the local postmaster in Isom, Virginia, beginning when she was in fifth grade. “The postmaster always encouraged me to move from the coal mines  in the mountains and get a government job,” she said. 

Although GSA’s mission primarily involves property and makes for less interaction with the general public compared with other federal agencies, Ladage found an ultimate fit with her passion for helping people 14 years ago when she began negotiating lease agreements for FEMA in disaster response and recovery.

“The disaster that had the most impact on me was the tornado in Greensburg, Kansas,” she said.

After receiving a 3 a.m. phone call asking her to be en route by 6 a.m., Ladage said she arrived to find the small town marred by destruction. The devastation and its residents, most of whom were elderly, shook her to her core, she said.

“Elderly people (were) walking around holding onto each other, looking dazed, and most were in their bare feet and night clothes,” she said. “I sat in my car and cried. Then I realized I had to pull myself together in order to help.”

Within three days, Ladage said GSA and FEMA had executed three leases and completed more than 50 market surveys. One lease was executed at 3 a.m. on a huge dump site of debris.

Ladage’s round-the-clock dedication and genuine desire to help everyone is what co-workers found remarkable.

Brenda Lee Ladage, lease contracting officer, gestures to members of the audience in attendance at her retirement reception Dec. 17 and said she remembered when Regional Commissioner Kevin Rothmier (looking on) started at GSA, as well as additional audience members. "Thank y'all so much, and I love each and every one of you," Ladage said. Photograph by Alison Kohler

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“Brenda’s strongest legacy, in my eyes, is her dedication to hard work,” said Lease Contracting Officer Kristin Schlueter, Region 6 Leasing Division. “(She’s) one of the most caring people I have ever worked with. She was the first to sign up to bring something in for a celebration or to visit a sick co-worker. She also was the one with all the information. Of course, her knowledge of leasing was unparallelled.”

Others echoed Schlueter with descriptions such as hard working, kind, joyful, dedicated, compassionate, honest and knowledgeable.

“I'm not sure that anyone worked harder than Brenda,” said Lease Contracting Officer Kory R. Hochler, Region 6 Leasing Division. “She loved her job and she showed me how to do my job and how to treat the customer.”

“It's difficult to narrow down Brenda's legacy to just one item. Her customer service techniques are admirable, and her negotiation techniques are commendable, but her willingness to help is paramount,” said Shari Ertz, Workplace Services specialist, Office of Administrative Services and a former lease contracting officer.

In addition to the work she performed, Ladage said the people and environment at GSA are why she believed it’s the best place to work in the federal government.

“GSA ranks number one on my list. There is always someone to help you if you have an issue with your job or need help in your personal life,” she said. “Since I have been fortunate to work for GSA, I attribute my success to management who has allowed me to work where I was best suited.”

Ladage said she plans to continue helping people in retirement.

“The first thing I plan to do is get our lake house livable. After we move to the lake, I’d like to set up some type of program or house to help abused women and children,” Ladage said. She said she would also like to set up a clothing closet where anyone in need can come in to select free clothing. “I believe God put me on this earth to help people, and that’s what I intend to continue to do.”

Brenda Lee Ladage, lease contracting officer, receives applause from GSA staff and other supporters at her retirement reception Dec. 17. Ladage said she was inspired to work for the federal government as early as fifth grade when the local postmaster encouraged her to get a government job. Photograph by Gretchen Jabben

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