The one phrase that has been used most about Jerrid Spinks is “he sees challenges as opportunities.”

Spinks was named the Security Assistance Command’s Employee of the Quarter, second quarter of fiscal 2021, in the Army Materiel Command.  He was nominated for his willing teamwork, strong work ethic and kindness toward all in his organization.

Spinks is a country program manager at the Security Assistance Command for Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

“He manages a larger than normal portfolio than other CPMs,” Tracy Engler, division chief of INDOPACOM/SOUTHCOM/NORTHCOM at USASAC, said.

His customers agree with this description. Spinks has been recognized by the country customer and COCOM for his outstanding work on the Thailand Stryker.

Spinks manages an extensive portfolio of Title 10 Building Partner Capacity cases. These are programs that contribute to the accomplishment of national security objectives. They are designed to advance partner nation capacity and capabilities through the provision of training and equipment.

“Mr. Spinks has resolved complicated funding issues to enable the purchase of additional materiel,” Engler said. “BPC cases are funded with U.S. government dollars and maximizing the use of funds has a direct benefit to the U.S. taxpayer.”

Spinks’ largest impact has been the building of partner capacity in the INDOPACOM region and directly supporting COCOM lines of effort. During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, he expedited two Letters of Offer and Acceptances for Thailand Stryker and ensured that country did not lose over $500 million in country funds.

As the workload increases for Thailand and Singapore, Spinks’ ability to efficiently manage his programs results in a greater number of cases being processed in less time across the enterprise. The four country programs that Spinks manages are valued at over $2.2 billion.

“Mr. Spinks sets the standard for LOA development and consistently exceeds the 85% LOA timeliness metric,” Engler said. “He is a top performer within our division.”

Beyond the Thailand Stryker program, Spinks also manages large and complex programs for Apache, Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters in his portfolio.

Yet there are other COCOM priority cases on his plate, Singapore rotor blades and Singapore Embedded Global Positioning Inertial navigation system.

He has worked across the enterprise and with industry to successfully find solutions for cracked rotor blades, and worked hard to identify options for Singapore EGls. “Both of these issues have required understanding complex technical issues, the ability to think creatively and strong problem-solving skills,” Engler said.

Spinks is the father of a busy kindergartner and has been working diligently to manage pandemic life with online learning and telework. He has ensured the success of his child and work life by staying focused and overcoming challenges. When he is not busy taking care of his family, building a new house, training a new puppy, and managing a large foreign military sales portfolio, he enjoys sports and stays physically active.