SHAPING ARMY ACQUISITION
ACCOLADES
A Detroit Federal Executive Boards Public Service Recognition Week event, held May 8, 2019. Tiffany McCants, first row, third from right, was recognized for her hard work, along with other PEO CS&CSS employees and supervisors. (Photo by U.S. Army Garrison- Detroit Arsenal)
double work.” She has learned the value of converting the skeptics, rather than focusing all her efforts on early adopters or willing participants. “Once they see the value in what you’re doing, they will be your biggest ally,” she said. “When people see, ‘Oh, wow, that person used to be the biggest naysayer,’ then it’s not just coming from Tiffany.” Creating advocates for change is a challenge she readily accepts. “I always need a new challenge,” she said. “Tat’s just my personality.”
At times in her Army career, McCants has thought about leaving to take on new chal- lenges in private industry, but she realized that wasn’t the right choice for her. So, why does she stay? “It’s the mission,” she said. “It’s something I believe in—making sure our Soldiers have the equipment they need to stay safe in their operational environment.” She has had the opportu- nity to stretch herself and develop new skills, working in nearly every project
management (PM) office within the PEO, and she never takes that for granted. “Tat’s the best thing about working for the Army,” she said. “Te sky is the limit.” Along the way, she has made a name for herself as someone who can be counted on to solve problems. “I enjoy that,” she said, “turning mayhem into something that looks like progress.”
In her spare time, McCants enjoys paint- ing. It’s a talent she never knew she had, until she signed up for an art class in her community. “It opened up a new world to me,” she said. “It’s a great stress reliever, and I was able to tap into a side of myself that I wasn’t aware I had.” It also allows her to explore the possibilities without the fear of making a mistake. “When you’re in a PM, if you make a mistake, it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you may never live it down,” she said. But in art, the stakes aren’t quite so high. “In art, if you make a mistake, it could be like Bob
I believe in— making sure our Soldiers have the equipment they need to stay safe in their operational environment.
“It’s something ”
Ross says, a ‘happy little accident.’ And it could actually be something beautiful.”
McCants shares similar advice with
junior acquisition personnel, when she has the opportunity. “I tell them to take notes, ask questions, and never be scared to make a suggestion or try something new. Just because something hasn’t been done, doesn’t mean it cannot be done.” She said that many of the innovations in DOD today came from someone having a fresh, new idea, and she encourages others to think outside the box as well. And she imparts a little bit of that Bob Ross wisdom, saying, “It’s OK to make a mistake.” But that’s where she parts ways with America’s favorite art teacher. “In acquisition, you have to learn from your missteps and never make the same mistake twice.”
—ELLEN SUMMEY
https://asc.ar my.mil
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