ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Doug McCulloch started working at Robins in 1972, but with 37 years experience he has no plans of retiring.

"I really love this job," he said. "I can't imagine what would provide me more satisfaction in life than coming to work here."

Mr. McCulloch, 62, is a supervisor in the F-15 Squadron of the 402nd Electronics Maintenance Group. His devotion to his job was recognized recently when he was named the 2009 Civilian Wage Grade Employee of the Year in Air Force Materiel Command by the Air Force Association.

He is representing the AFMC in the category for the Air Force-wide honor.

Mr. McCulloch says he has no idea why he was selected for the award, but at least one of his employees does.

Belinda Winfield started working for Mr. McCulloch over a year ago as an electronics technician co-op student in training, and her eyes suddenly brightened when she was asked to talk about her boss. She had worked a number of odd jobs before coming to work at Robins.

"He is the best supervisor I have ever had," she said. "I didn't even think there were supervisors like him. If I ever need to talk to him, whether it is work or personal, he will stop what he was doing and talk to you. He is really like a father figure."

He supervises 18 people who work on F-15 electronic parts. He didn't seem very interested in talking about his own accomplishments, and instead wanted to talk about his employees. He showed off a shelf in the work area where he has collected awards and honors won by his team members.

"It's a great source of pride," he said of the AFA honor, "but nobody accomplishes anything out here on their own."

On the wall of his office is a set of 10 rules for supervisors, given to him by his former supervisor. The rules include "You are the least-smartest member of your team," and "You are here to guide and train, not supervise."

He was nominated for the award by his supervisor, Ron Townsend. The nomination form cited numerous workplace accomplishments, including comments that Mr. McCulloch "motivated individuals to communicate - promoted problem solving and training - and built a team, not an individual."

But the nomination also mentioned a number of activities not related to work. It noted that Mr. McCulloch is "committed to improving the lives of others by donating time and money to church food drives and the Salvation Army. It also noted his support of Houston County Hospice, the American Cancer Society and St. Jude's Children's Hospital. It described him as a "people first supervisor," visiting sick workers at home and in the hospital.

The Air Force Association is an independent, non-profit organization of aerospace civilians with the aim of promoting public understanding of air power and the national defense, according to its Web site.