Alexandria Renew Enterprises Employee Receives Heroism Award

Alexandria Renew Enterprises employee Staff Sgt. Priestly Mitchell will receive the Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association Heroism Award.

Mitchell, who has worked at Alexandria Renew since 2006 as a control system technician, has been called to active duty twice – first deployed to Iraq in 2004 with the Army National Guard and just recently returned from a tour with the Air Force National Guard in Afghanistan.

Mitchell’s commanding officers in Iraq and Afghanistan offered praise, according to ARE. One wrote: “As a young combat engineer and equipment operator SGT Mitchell consistently displayed a calm, unflappable manner. His lighthearted demeanor served to settle his subordinates and empower his leaders. His expertise with engineer equipment was known throughout the battalion and was critical during many missions that included equipment projects, weapons cache reduction and direct enemy contact.”

“It was enormously gratifying and moving to read these tributes to Citizen Soldier Priestly Mitchell. They spoke to the same values, commitment and leadership he has brought to his job at Alexandria Renew every day and now as he serves his nation on far flung battlefields,“ said Alexandria Renew CEO Karen Pallansch.

The formal award presentation will be made Wednesday at an awards luncheon at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.