Employee selected for Senior Service College Fellowship course

By Mr. Larry D Mccaskill (Army Contracting Command)August 21, 2014

Ragucci
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

For one Army Contracting Command employee, knowing when to get out has meant moving up.

Donna Ragucci, chief, ACC Contracting Operations Management Assessment Division, is attending the Senior Service College Fellowship Course at the Defense Acquisition University-South Region campus in Huntsville.

A 26-year government employee, Ragucci said she learned early on that a key for her advancement is to not get too comfortable in one position.

"(People should) stay in positions just long enough to become experts in their field, and when the time is right, move on. There are not many people in key leadership positions who stayed in one location," Ragucci said. "You must move to other organizations to learn from other people. Also, a person needs to find their passion in a career field and stay true to their beliefs. Performance accounts for 10 percent of getting promoted, the other 90 percent is gained through a positive reputation and endorsements from others."

Ragucci said her first big break came while at the Army Materiel Command headquarters.

"My first headquarters position was with AMC working in the Inspector General's Office, inspecting contracts for compliance for Gen. (Anne E.) Dunwoody," she said. "When Mr. (Dan) Gallagher (Expeditionary Contracting Command acting deputy to the commander) offered me an opportunity to manage the ECC Procurement Management Review Program, I jumped at the chance."

Ragucci began her contracting career as an intern 10 years ago and has not slowed down to look back.

"I was hired by J.R. Richardson (director, ACC Contracting Operations) as an intern in 2004 at the Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville," she said. At the time, Richardson was the center's chief. "He gave me my first warrant as a GS-11, and I have been a champion for contract compliance ever since."

Encouraged to apply for the training by her leadership, Ragucci was accepted to the SSCF on her initial application.

"Donna continuously strives to increase the level of performance for the ACC Procurement Management Review Program," Gallagher said. "Additionally, her successful efforts led to the ECC headquarters receiving a low risk rating during the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement) procurement management review."

According to the DAU website, the 10-month-long SSCF course develops civilian acquisition leaders in preparation for roles as product and project managers, program executive officers and other key acquisition positions. SSCF also helps prepare participants for positions in the senior executive service

"Once class is completed, I hope to return to ACC headquarters in a higher position of responsibility. However, there is always the possibility I will become a free agent, so whoever can use my skills, I will be open to the opportunities," Ragucci said. "Within five years, I would like to be ready to apply for a (senior executive service) position or work with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement) to make a difference and impact change in the contracting field at the big Army level."