Employee Spotlight: Greg Yada

By James WoodsAugust 14, 2013

Employee Spotlight: Greg Yada
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -

<strong>Bio stats:</strong>

Official position: Project Manager, Medical Support Branch, Program and Project Management Division

Years with Little Rock District: 24

Years of federal service: 24

Hometown: Fort Smith, Ark.

Education: Bachelor of Science, civil engineering, University of Arkansas

Hobbies: Golf, fishing, running, woodworking, do-it-yourself home projects

<strong>You were recently named District/Division Program Manager of the Year. Discuss your success.</strong>

The key to success for any project manager will always be the collective team members who help to bring these projects together. Although I am the leader of these teams, there are team members that guide me and sometimes take the lead on specific issues.

I am blessed that I have been able to develop a relationship where open communication is the standard. Coming from a civil-works background in hydrology and hydraulics and being assigned to military projects focusing on infrastructure and vertical construction was very challenging. I have been blessed to be involved in successful projects that have been both complex and challenging.

Over the last few years, I have been involved with projects for Pine Bluff Arsenal, Army Reserve 63rd Regional Support Command, Army Medical Command (which, by the way is different than the Air Force, SWL's primary medical customer), and even led a regional team on several projects located in Afghanistan.

<strong>You recently moved from the Military Program Branch to Medical Support Branch. What are the duties of this position?</strong>

Basically, the duties are the same as my military program manager position, but with different customers. In the end, the job is simply to deliver quality facilities to our soldiers.

<strong>What challenges have you had to face in your new position?</strong>

The biggest challenge is learning the ins and outs of the medical facility business line: why and how facilities are designed particular ways, and construction quality assurance issues. Infection control, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and initial outfitting are just a few examples of the unique subjects I am learning. Who would have guessed, as a civil engineering graduate 24 years ago, that I would be on teams where my role involved leading issue resolution and management of processes focusing on the interior structure of a medical facility?

<strong>What are your short and long term goals in this position?</strong>

My goal in this position is to be a project manager whom the customer can trust to get their job done in a way that exceeds their expectation. I get a lot of job satisfaction when I feel the customer is happy.

<strong>Would you like to add anything else?</strong>

The Corps offers a large selection of jobs that offer opportunities for growth and personal satisfaction while working with great team members and district leaders. I have been blessed to be able to work in various roles and business lines throughout my career and have enjoyed them all.