Congratulations to Diane Gambill, Norbert Laramie Award of Excellence Winner 2024!

In September, at a special award ceremony held at a local steakhouse in O’Fallon, MO, Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) proudly announced Diane Gambill, Account Manager, as the recipient of the 2024 Norbert Laramie Award.

 

The award, named in honor of Norbert Laramie, the grandfather of VCC founder and CEO Kyle Laramie, carries deep meaning for the company. A World War II Veteran, Norbert Laramie exemplified values of courage, integrity, and service—principles that continue to guide VCC today. The award is given annually to a team member whose contributions in innovation, leadership, production, and community service embody those same values.

 

Each year, three quarterly nominees are selected based on accountability, serving others, and continuous improvement, with one of the finalists chosen at the end of the year. From that elite group, the overall winner is honored with recognition at the award ceremony and receives an all-expense-paid trip for two.

Diane has been part of VCC since the beginning, serving as the first employee personally hired by Kyle Laramie. When she began, the company had just six employees, and she has witnessed its growth every step of the way. When asked how long she has been at VCC, Diane laughed, saying, “Can I say too long? Actually, it’s been a joy all 14 years, 15 in May!”

 

Over the years, Diane has worn many hats, including Intake Specialist, Screener, Account Manager, Client Care Representative, Subject Matter Expert, and Training Manager. Each position brought unique experiences, whether speaking directly with clients or helping new team members learn the ropes. 

 

While discussing the various positions she has held over the years, Diane explained, “I can honestly say that I’ve loved each and every one of them because they were so diverse.” Whether she was interacting directly with clients or working with new employees, she truly enjoyed getting to know everyone on a personal level. She admitted that training was her favorite role, even though she earned the nickname “Sergeant” for her drill instructor-style of training. That nickname has since evolved into “the Professor.”

 

Diane’s impact extends beyond VCC through the strong professional relationships she’s built over the years. Linda Taylor, MSW, a Medical Social Worker with Mission Home Health, has worked closely with Diane for several years and shared how much she values their partnership. “You could not have found a person more deserving,” Linda said. “Diane has been extremely professional, knowledgeable, helpful, and truly great to work with. I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge from working with her, and she is the main reason I continue to work with VCC. You have a wonderful treasure in Diane—keep her happy because folks like me need her to continue to help our Veterans that are near and dear to our hearts.” Linda’s words reflect what so many colleagues and partners feel: respect and appreciation for Diane’s expertise, partnership, and commitment to supporting Veterans.

 

While Diane remained humble about her career, Kyle spoke about her impressive achievements over the years, including being the first account manager to manage a million-dollar account. But Diane says she owes it all to Kyle for his leadership and passion for Veterans and his employees. “To see the company grow and change so much has been amazing,” Diane reflected. “But one thing has always been consistent—Kyle’s passion and drive. That’s been inspiring for all of us. If he can do it, the rest of us can do it.” 

 

Diane has consistently demonstrated the persistence, skill, and heart required to support Veterans and their families through the complex and often challenging processes. Her success has been grounded not only in her professional expertise but also in her compassion for those who served. Diane explained, “That’s kind of what unites us at VCC: our commitment to Veterans.  Either we’ve had Veterans in our family or we’re Veterans ourselves; whatever the situation may be, our goal is the same: to give back because they served, and that’s the way I look at it.”

 

While Diane took home the honor, she couldn’t stop gushing over her fellow nominee, Elizabeth Merino, whom Diane refers to as “the silent lion” for her tireless work and dedication. “I have to say I was honored to be considered with Liz, because she’s amazing. She’s organized and great at her job and doesn’t get the appreciation I think she deserves, but she’s always in the background working diligently and getting everything done. She is such a great person and team member, and I can’t stress enough how much I really admire her.”

 

For Diane, winning the award was deeply personal. “It means everything. It’s great to be recognized for your work in the company, but more importantly by the owner. This award carries so much personal meaning for Kyle, and that makes it even more of an honor,” Diane said. “When they called my name, I felt like screaming and jumping up and down,” she added. “But I stayed calm, put my hand over my heart, and just said thank you. I’m very humbled and honored.”

 

Diane has just under six months left at VCC, as she has already announced her plans to retire on March 20, 2026. True to her spirit of service, she hopes to volunteer with causes that matter most to her: Veterans, animals, or seniors. And, of course, she plans to continue traveling the world—this time without having to request time off from work.

 

Looking back, one of Diane’s fondest memories will always be her conversations with World War II Veterans during her early days as an intake specialist. “They were so humble. Some (Veterans) would even say, ‘Don’t give me the benefit, give it to someone else who deserves it.’ I’ll always cherish those conversations and the honor of hearing their stories.”

 

Diane’s contributions over nearly 15 years have left a lasting mark on VCC, our partners, and the families we serve. Her dedication, warmth, and passion for helping Veterans embody the spirit of the Norbert Laramie Award and the values it represents.

 

As she looks forward to retirement, Diane will be deeply missed—but her legacy of service and heart for Veterans will always remain a part of VCC.

 

Congratulations, Diane, on this well-deserved honor!