Dallas Chaplain Area Team Leader Charlotte Turner was named the 2012 Marketplace Chaplains’ Chaplain of the Year, the highest individual honor given by the innovative strategic Employee Services Provider.

She was presented the honor by President and COODick De Wittin Dallas at the recent Marketplace Christmas dinner before client leaders, Marketplace Board members and fellow chaplains.

For 18 years, this annual award is presented to the chaplain who has gone “above and beyond” the call of duty and exhibited exceptional compassion to others.  Turner has served with Marketplace Chaplains since December 2005. She was nominated for her exceptional service to a number of North Texas–area client companies which utilize this unique employee benefit service.

“I do hope I represent every chaplain at Marketplace Chaplains,” Turner said after acknowledging a standing ovation. “We all do what God calls us to do and that’s what I always strive for.”

The Chaplain of the Year commendation capped a showcase of honors for the 38 Marketplace Ministries’ chaplains who were nominated for the award.  Turner was given a check for $500, plus a copy of noted artist Max Greiner’s sculpture, ‘The Divine Servant,’ which shows Jesus washing Peter’s feet.

“Charlotte is among the very best in representing chaplains who care for employees at more than 2,800 service locations,” De Witt said at the annual award presentation. “Being a servant to others in the workplace is a hard process, but Charlotte does an excellent job as do so many others.”

A native Texan, Turner was born in the Houston area, graduated from Columbia International Institute in Columbia, South Carolina, and worked as a detective for the Tyler Police Department before coming to Marketplace Chaplains seven years ago.

She oversees and participates in the chaplain work at more than three dozen North Texas Marketplace Chaplain client companies, many of which nominated her for the prestigious honor.

“She is a great leader who has the gift of encouragement,” one nomination form read. “She has strong listening skills,” said another. “Charlotte is a welcome part of our day,” read yet another nomination.

Greater Western Region Vice President George Cotter, who initially hired Turner, said she is representative of the unique employee benefit so many innovative CEOs want to offer their employees.

“We all have needs in the workplace and for someone like Charlotte to be recognized for meeting those needs is rewarding.”

“Her passion to deliver real care around the clock is replicated and extended throughout her Chaplain Team as well as Marketplace Chaplain Teams across the country and in every company we serve,” De Witt added.