Foreign disclosure officer relishes his new job

By Mr. Paul J Stevenson (USASAC)June 12, 2013

Foreign disclosure officer relishes his new job
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In serving as the lead agency for Army security assistance and foreign military sales, the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command maintains relationships with more than 140 countries. One of the key individuals responsible for ensuring those relationships are advantageous to the interest of both the U.S. and its foreign partners is the foreign disclosure officer.

FDOs have the responsibility to provide the review, release determination and sanitization, if required, of all U.S. government controlled information prior to its release to a foreign entity. For USASAC, that responsibility now rests with Alvin Holloway, who arrived May 5 to become USASAC's FDO.

"I am excited to be the one that was chosen to come in and kind of put a stamp on this position and hopefully establish USASAC as one of the top-notch FDO offices in the country," Holloway said. "This is a very important position and I don't take the responsibilities lightly. The FDO deals with a lot of foreign policies and personnel, and I have to always stay vigilante to support those trying to navigate through the foreign disclosure process."

Holloway brings extensive prior experience to the job. Before arriving in USASAC, he worked at the Training and Doctrine Command G-2, Security where he served as the foreign disclosure program manager. Holloway also worked at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., from 2009-11, where he was the deputy branch chief for foreign disclosure.

Holloway's background also includes military service. Before working at the DHS, he served 13 years in the Marine Corps, primarily working in various intelligence and foreign disclosure positions. His last military assignment was with the Headquarters 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he worked as the command foreign disclosure officer in the G-2.

Conrad Bonner, USASAC deputy chief of staff, G3/5 said Holloway's diverse background and broad experience should help him have an immediate impact on the work force as he works closely with FMS case workers to ensure the compliance with foreign disclosure guidelines, and that sensitive information goes through the appropriate channels prior to its release.

"Al's initial focus is on preparing and presenting a few in-house classes on Exception to National Disclosure Policy and Technology Transfer," Bonner said. "Additionally, he will be completing delegation of authorities' documents supporting new visiting foreign liaison officers and any immediate requirements supporting the country program managers."

Since USASAC has established relationships with so many countries, continuous interaction requires a great deal of close coordination to ensure the sharing of only releasable information and technology. Holloway relishes the challenge of serving in the vital role of FDO, providing the necessary protection and security reviews supporting exchanges with partner nations, industry and other non-government organizations in a responsive manner.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of working in the FMS world, as it varies from case to case and day to day," Holloway said. "It is a lot of good, challenging work and I get to meet people from all aspects of the Army and national agencies as well."

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