PATIENCE MAKES PERFECT
In the world of contracting, one must be adaptable to challenges, focus on objectives and encourage feedback to promote efficiency and teamwork.
In acquisition, as with any field, fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment where all team members feel respected and valued for their individual strengths can be chal- lenging, but according to Felicia Jones, a branch chief of the Modernization Directorate at the Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal (ACC-RSA), it’s paramount to overall success. Jones has learned in her nearly four decades as a contracting professional that it takes empathy, understanding and, above all, patience to create and maintain a cohesive, productive team dynamic that will routinely yield positive outcomes.
FELICIA C. JONES
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal TITLE: Branch chief, Modernization Directorate YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 39
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Contracting professional
EDUCATION: MBA and B.S. in marketing, both from Alabama Agricultural and Mechani- cal University
AWARDS: Team Award, 4th Quarter 2019
“Te most important lesson I have learned on the job, as well as off the job, is to be patient with people,” said Jones, who began her acquisition career in 1985 as an Army Materiel Command (AMC) intern contract specialist at Redstone Arsenal in an area called Repair Parts, where she handled spare components necessary for maintaining and sustaining military equipment and systems. “In the contracting area, we deal with so many individuals that I have found it’s best for me to think first before I react.”
Jones believes taking that extra step allows her to respond intentionally, rather than impulsively, reducing the risk of escalating conflicts or making hasty decisions that could be regretted later. It also provides an opportunity to assess the situation, consider the consequences of her words or actions and empathize with others’ perspectives. Tis deliberate approach, which Jones applies to any critical decision, both personally and professionally, helps to ensure that her reactions align with values and goals, fostering better communication and stronger relationships.
As a branch chief for the Modernization Directorate at ACC-RSA, Jones oversees a team of contract specialists and officers providing support to the Combat Capabili- ties Development Command Aviation and Missile Center. Since specialists often bring diverse perspectives and expertise, her focus on being patient, she said, has allowed her to listen actively, address challenges constructively and foster a supportive environment.
Te role she and her team play is critical to the Army’s mission because they provide Soldiers with what they need, when they need it. “Te reason my position is important to the Army is that we provide research and development services that create new tech- nologies that give the military an edge over other forces,” she said. “It also helps the
“The most important lesson I have
learned on the job, as well as off the job, is to be patient with people.”
80 Army AL&T Magazine Summer 2025
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