LOGISTICS
What do you do in your position, and why is it important to the Army or the warfighter?
I am the director of program management for PEO EIS. Te Program Management Directorate covers a lot of ground: We provide oversight and management for acquisition and busi- ness processes for more than 35 program offices. Tis includes managing the budget process for a portfolio of more than $18 billion across the program objective memorandum period, and supporting the manpower, congressional and public affairs and audit missions across the PEO. Our work may seem slightly removed from the warfighter, but we work every day to ensure that the acquisition process remains on track, that funding and people are in the right place at the right time and that we are communicating our goals and efforts effectively. All of this directly contributes to ensuring that Soldiers receive the infor- mation technology solutions that we have promised and keeps the global Army connected.
How did you become part of the Army Acquisition Work- force, and why?
When I took off the uniform, I went to work for the U.S. Army Materiel Command, supporting the finance mission. After a few years, I decided that I really wanted to be part of Army acquisition, because the finance mission here is so different than anywhere else. In acquisition, you have the opportunity to have an impact directly on the Soldier. Results of decisions are immediate, and you are in a position to try to fix processes that aren’t working. By joining the Army Acquisition Corps, I knew I could help get Soldiers what they needed. As we in PEO EIS like to say, I’m truly in a position to support every Soldier, every day, everywhere.
What do you see as the most important points in your career with the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
For me, the most important points in my career have been the
“silent wins”—the things that I have done for people and for pro- grams that have made them successful, but that not everyone hears about—successfully finding funding solutions for pro- grams through some really tough times, including a government shutdown, sequestration and multiple continuing resolutions, and helping them stay on track to meet their schedules and get capabilities out to the field. I think these are so critical because they have helped our PEO EIS team to be successful for the Soldier in the field.
Can you name a particular mentor or mentors who helped you in your career? How did they help you? Have you been a mentor?
Jim Daniel, who retired as a colonel from the Air Force, became a mentor early in my Army career and is someone I’m still in touch with. He was a tremendous leader and treated everyone with respect. At a time in my life when it seemed rank was the only thing that mattered, he made a point to value every person’s contribution. He accepted different opinions and valued per- spectives other than his own. When he told us to do something, he took the time to explain why it was important. Whether you agreed with it or not, you understood why. He truly encouraged me to be better in everything, and I work hard to lead by his example and mentor those around me.
What’s the greatest satisfaction you have in being a part of the Army Acquisition Workforce?
Going back to my earlier comment about silent wins—that is the greatest satisfaction: to help our programs support the Soldier, no matter how long it takes. Right up there with that, however, is also seeing people on my team and the people I mentor being successful. When our teams experience success or accomplish goals they have set for themselves, I celebrate right along with them. Tis is truly a team sport, and when we work together to get capabilities fielded or when someone gets into grad school or gets a promotion, these wins and accomplishments collectively make us stronger and better prepared for the next challenge.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to a career like yours?
Be real. Play to your strengths and not those that you think others expect you to play to. Talent comes in many shapes and sizes and there is more than one path to success, so staying true to who you are and how you do things is so important. You can achieve success, but unless you’ve done it as you, on terms that you can accept, it won’t be comfortable once you get there, and reaching higher will be even harder. Most of your energy will be going to keeping up the appearance that you have built, which is maybe not the authentic you. So, while there is a lot of advice I could dole out—and my team knows I don’t usually hold back— focus and being real are at the top of my list.
—MS. SUSAN L. FOLLETT
ASC.ARMY.MIL
47
LOGISTICS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184
