ACC-RSA Executive Commends Employees For Outstanding Effort

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Rebuilding trust among its partners and solidifying effective working relationships are top priorities for the Army Contracting Command-Redstone as it moves forward with the integration of the organization as one of the newest entities in the Aviation and Missile Command.

ACC-RSA's executive director Becky Weirick told employees during a June 15 town hall at the Bob Jones Auditorium that the organization is focused on the success of the integration, named Unified Action, outlined in the Army Materiel Command's mission command alignment operational order issued in February.

"As we become more and more a part of the AMCOM life cycle management command in the next year, we will determine how to prioritize our missions. There will be a synchronizing of efforts and a stopping of duplicity of efforts," Weirick said.

AMCOM's assumption of operational control of ACC-RSA, and also of the Aviation and Missile Command Research, Development and Engineering Center, was part of an AMC operational order signed in February that also directed similar OPCON transitions within the Communication-Electronics Command, and the Tank and Automotive Command. Weirick predicts more such realignments in the future.

"It is a continuous process," she said. "I think we are creating a synergy. I think we are becoming closer organizationally since we've done this. I hope you are feeling this also."

Organizational obstacles and resistance to the cultural shift are being managed to make it a successful re-alignment. That success is a must, she said.

"The most important thing is Soldier support. That's what we do. We are going to support as best we can," Weirick said.

ACC-RSA has been part of the Army Contracting Command since that command was stood up eight years ago. ACC will retain administrative control of ACC-RSA with operational control going to AMCOM.

"It's time to make a hard right turn as an organization. We are going to change our vision and we are going to pivot to our customer," Weirick said.

"Our new vision captures the AMC commander's intent of mission command alignment. We are contracting professionals partnering with customers, including program managers, industry, Soldiers and other government teams, to enable the most efficient and effective delivery of capabilities to the Soldier."

The ACC-RSA mission is to be "agile and able contracting professionals providing capabilities to customers: On Time … Anytime … Anywhere!"

The ACC-RSA executive director emphasized to her employees the need for professionalism, acquisition excellence and efficiencies, vigilance in following contracting regulations, and responsiveness in awarding and managing Army contracts.

"We serve the Army, Department of Defense and, ultimately, our nation," Weirick said. "What we do is huge and I think we forget that. I need help from each and every one of you to ensure trust both within and outside of our organization."

She urged ACC-RSA employees to ask questions during the contracting process: Does this make sense? Why are we doing it this way? Why shouldn't we consider doing something else?

ACC-RSA employees need to be focused on how their services measure up with customer expectations and how to better satisfy customer expectations.

"I think our strategic plan addresses our customer's needs very well, and our work quality and stewardship are exceptional. I think we're on the right path," Weirick said. "But we need to react better to the need for speed in contracting, and we need to lean our processes while still doing what we should be doing for the taxpayer."

The most important aspect of contracting is to follow regulations and contracting law, and to remain truthful in all dealings with contracting actions and defense contractors.

"If you see something that's not right, say something, do something. If you say nothing, you are part of the problem," Weirick said. "If you say something and nothing happens, then it's a leadership problem …

"People are doing great things in this organization, things that really matter to our warfighters, our customers. We win the Army's wars through the materials and services we supply. We are a team, and we need to focus on supporting each other and helping each other."

The town hall also included presentations on SHARP, speed coaching, contracting regulation updates and employee recognitions. The following employees were recognized: Cassandra Maxwell, Commander's Award for Civilian Service; John Mayes, AMC Small Business Programs Recognition for Excellence; Linda Fletcher, Outstanding Workforce Development Specialist of the Year; Yvette Krasts, Outstanding Price Analyst of the Year (Major Weapons Systems); Darren Sackett, Outstanding Contracting Officer (Major Weapons Systems); Master Sgt. Kathy Seaton Williams and Sgt. First Class Rodney Johnson, Fort Rucker Detail Volunteers; Robin Johnson, recognized for work as interim executive assistant to the ACC-RSA deputy executive director and the military deputy; Nancy Larch, AMCOM EXPRESS Recompete Team; Evelyn Harris, Cynthia Hubbard, Gregory Smith, John Patterson and Johnnie Irby, recognized for exceptional performance and support to the Apache Attack Helicopter project office, Program Executive Office for Aviation; Patricia Beumer, Supervisor of the Quarter; Staff Sgt. Chandler Arick, Soldier of the Quarter; Robyn Howes, Intern of the Quarter; John Bentley, Administrative Support of the Quarter; Chinook Modernization Team, Innovation Award of the Quarter; Nicholas Haas, Contracting Officer of the Quarter; Scott Cowart, Contract Specialist of the Quarter; and EXPRESS Div A Team, Team of the Quarter.