$ BBP 3.0 SPOTLIGHT:
MR. MICHAEL SZCZESNIAK Longevity backstops JLTV team
+ MR. MICHAEL SZCZESNIAK
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Joint Program Office for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support
TITLE:
Procurement specialist DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS:
Level III in contracting, Level II in program management
YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 31 EDUCATION:
M.S. in administration, Central Michigan University; B.S. in psychology, Wayne State University
AWARDS:
Superior Civilian Service Award; Commander’s Award for Civilian Service
A
background in psychology and experience in restaurant man- agement might
seem unlikely prerequisites for a career in mili-
tary acquisition, but those tools have served Mike Szczesniak (pronounced SEZ-nee- ack) well during his 31-year career.
“A lot of those skills—working with people, conflict resolution, interpreting input from a lot of different stakeholders—I use every day,” said Szczesniak, who has spent the past five years as a procurement specialist for the Joint Program Office for Joint Light Tacti- cal Vehicles (JPO JLTV). He got his start in acquisition as an intern with TACOM, and has since held various positions in con- tracting, TACOM’s Office of the Inspector General and a handful of program manage- ment offices.
Get a variety of experiences early on. You’ll be surprised at what you thought you would enjoy and don’t, and what you didn’t expect to like and what you will become passionate about.
96 Army AL&T Magazine
Among his recent accomplishments is his involvement in the low-rate initial produc- tion contract for the JLTV. Szczesniak was a key contributor to the development of the production request for proposals and other elements of the Milestone C documenta- tion. Te program will provide 49,099 vehicles for the Army and 5,500 for the Marine Corps. A full-rate production deci- sion is expected in FY18.
“I have had the opportunity to work with many talented, seasoned professionals,” said Szczesniak. “My greatest satisfaction in being part of the acquisition workforce is knowing that my efforts exceeded my own expectations and that of my management.”
January-March 2016
I am a procurement specialist for JPO JLTV. In addition to working with JPO leadership, our product directors and Army Contracting Command on the program’s technology devel- opment and engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contracts, I am also a key participant in developing our acquisition and contracting strategy for the multibillion- dollar production phase of the program.
Te JLTV is designed to fill the capability gap between the High-Mobility Multipur- pose Wheeled Vehicle and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. Te program is a focal point of the Army and Marine Corps’ tactical wheeled vehicle strategies in terms of modernization and protection, and it should make Soldiers and Marines safer and more capable.
How did you become part of the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
I started in August 1984 as a contracting intern with TACOM. I was looking for an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I gained acquiring my bachelor’s degree with that of my work experience in restaurant management. Some of my family members worked for TACOM and encour- aged me to apply for the internship program.
What do you see as the most important points in your career with the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
Why is what you do in your position important to the Army or the warfighter?
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