Robins family readiness consultant to bring A & FRC services to deployed location Published Aug. 1, 2008 By Holly Birchfield 78 ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, GA -- Lisa Matney is known around Robins' Airman and Family Readiness Center for her "go-getter" personality when it comes to taking care of military members and their families. Mrs. Matney, a community readiness consultant at the A&FRC, will deploy for four months to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in late fall to live out her passion for meeting military members and their families' needs. The 37-year-old Hawkinsville, Ga., native was recently selected by a team at the Air Force Personnel Center for the volunteer mission. "My role here is to get involved with the new members who are coming to Robins Air Force Base and those who are leaving Robins, to get in touch with spouses and provide them career opportunities," she said. "We also touch on financial aspects for single and family members. We also get people ready to separate or retire from the military. There are a number of resources that we provide for our military and civilian counterparts." The only real difference between her job in the deployed location and at home station is, in fact, the location, Mrs. Matney said. "If there are financial needs, I'm going to be able to sit down and discuss with them financial opportunities," she said. Christine Parker, A&FRC director, said that's only one example of what Mrs. Matney will bring to the deployed location. "Lisa and her military counterpart will be working long hours, serving the entire population and they'll be embedded in the community there at Al Udeid," she said. "They may be providing classes on stress management or communication with their families. They might even do some financial counseling." Mrs. Parker said Mrs. Matney is an ideal person for the job. "Lisa was chosen from among her peers because she has a well-rounded background," she said. "They want someone who is a true consultant who can cover just about any topic that might come up that's part of the Airman and Family Readiness Center mission. Lisa has experience in all areas that we cover -- from transition assistance to relocation assistance." Mrs. Parker said Mrs. Matney's skills with financial matters and communications with family members of all ages will work well in the deployed location. The concept of deploying civilians in this way has been in the works for more than a decade, but it's just recently taken shape, Mrs. Parker said. "Air Combat Command spearheaded the initiative," she said. "Jean Michel, chief of family matters for ACC at Langley AFB, really got it going and the first people to deploy were people at ACC's Airman and Family Readiness Centers. Just this year, it expanded to consultants across the Air Force who would like to volunteer to go." The A&FRC director said she's thrilled to have one of her own representing Robins in theater. "It's an awesome opportunity for Lisa, but I also see it as an awesome opportunity for the men and women she'll be serving there," she said. "Lisa is a fireball. She knows her business and she has a lot of creativity and a lot of energy. Her passion is very high, so I know she is going to serve them very well." While Kim Myers, a community readiness technician at Robins' A&FRC, is happy about Mrs. Matney's opportunity, she admits the office won't be the same without her. "I don't think they could've chosen anyone better," she said. "I think Lisa does an incredible job representing our Airmen, our families, and our civilian population. I don't think you'll find someone who will work harder for (military members) to get them the resources and supplies for whatever they need to make it easier while they're over there." Mrs. Myers said Mrs. Matney will be an invaluable resource in the face of family emergencies. Despite all the good she'll do at Al Udeid, Mrs. Myers said she will be greatly missed while she's gone. Mrs. Matney said she's grateful to her A&FRC team for making the chance to deploy possible. "It's because of them stepping up to the plate that I've got this opportunity," she said.