HUNTSVILLE, AL—Eight civilian members of the Army acquisition corps were introduced to the Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) program during the CDG/AAF Orientation, Induction, and Graduation hosted by the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) March 20-22. The event served as the capstone event for the 11 members graduating from the program, as well as orientation for the newest fellows.
“I did not realize how reputable the program is and how many CDG graduates are in such high visible positions within the Army,” said Chenxi Dong-O’Malley, a Year Group 2012 (YG12) CDG/AAF fellow and assistant product manager for Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier.
“The week exceeded my expectations. I learned so much about the CDG program that I truly believe that the possibilities for exceptional professional develop for the next three years is endless,” said Karen Short, also a YG12 CDG/AAF fellow and assistant product manager for PEO Missiles and Space.
CDG/AAF is a three-year program that offers developmental assignments in PEOs, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (AL&T) offices, U.S. Army Materiel Command Headquarters, and functional organizations. The program provides expanded training, leadership, experiential, and other career development opportunities.
“I finished my MBA last year and realized I needed to continue to grow professionally and put myself in the best position possible for a promotion and future meaningful assignments. I think the CDG program can help me with this goal,” explained Short.
“I felt that CDG/AAF was the vehicle for me to get exposure at a higher level and have the leadership training opportunities that I wouldn’t be able to have without the CDG fellowship,” said Dong-O’Malley.
The three-day event opened with the orientation for YG12 members, covering basic administrative topics and expectations of the program. Mr. Craig Spisak, director of USAASC, opened the second day of the event, which was highlighted by a program management panel discussion. The final day of the event featured a Q&A panel consisting of previous members of the CDG/AAF program, remarks from BG Joseph L. Bass, commanding general of the Expeditionary Contracting Command, and a senior leader dialogue panel. A dinner reception was held the final evening, which included the official induction and graduation ceremony.
The YG09 CDG/AAF graduates include:
- Tamera A. Balch
- Alvin Bing III
- Jeffery D. Burgess
- Danny W. Davis
- Peter L. Degenaar
- Gloria J. Hemphill
- Jeffrey A. Hensley
- Ryan S. Johnson
- Darold V. McCloud
- Phillip K. McDonald
- Joel A. Price
YG12 CDG/AAF inductees are as follows:
- Aladrian Crowder
- Chenxi Dong-O’Malley
- Timothy Hoy
- Adam Morse
- Craig Riedel
- Stephen Roberts
- Karen Short
- Matthew Whitworth
- The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) supports Army Soldier readiness by developing a world-class professional acquisition workforce, effectively acquiring and stewarding resources and providing customers with the best possible products and services. For more information about USAASC, visit https://asc.army.mil.
