Army Materiel Command's new top civilian said it will take good judgment, integrity, courage and dedication to push through the challenges ahead.
"History shows that AMC is strong and resilient in its approach to challenges," Lisha Adams said to the hundreds in attendance at an Aug. 20 ceremony welcoming her as AMC's new executive deputy to the commanding general. "You are making a difference in lives around the world."
Adams left the command a year ago to take on the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness. Her return to Redstone Arsenal brings Adams back to her hometown and the command where she began her government career as a maintenance intern.
From there she hit the ground running, moving on to positions where she learned policy, weapons systems and acquisitions before matrixing to the Program Executive Office. Adams has spent 28 of her 32 years of service in AMC, whether at its headquarters or a major subordinate command. Her combined experience, she said, allows her to see all perspectives and more importantly, talk the talk.
"I've learned if you want to get someone to listen, and to be a team player, you have to speak their language," Adams said. "I've learned what it takes to support a system and how funding is defined. I've learned which questions to ask of major subordinate commands so I can help support them."
Adams said her experience with both the sustainment and acquisition perspectives helps her see all sides of the issues. Understanding the language of leadership helps communicate those issues effectively so senior leaders can make the best decisions.
As AMC's executive deputy, Adams is responsible for materiel life cycle management, acquisition support, personnel and resource management, industrial base operations, enterprise integration, research and development and science and technology.
As she takes on her new role, Adams said she is most enthusiastic about the diversity of the workforce. "It's the engineers, contract specialists, artisans at the depots and arsenals, transporters, lawyers, cost analysts and military special assistants. AMC has all of the disciplines, and they are all supporting the mission."
Adams attributes much of her success to her attitude and approach. When she first eyed progression to the senior executive service, she realized her attention needed to center on issues.
"To achieve the next level, I knew I had to stay above emotions and focus on the facts and move forward," she said. "I stay above emotions and look for the good in every situation. That's part of who I am. I'm a peacemaker, not someone who wants to argue. I look for the good -- I always have."
Looking back, Adams noted it hasn't always been easy, and she didn't always wear a happy face. But her faith has been something in which she can always rely. "When it comes down to it, it's my faith that's helped keep me going. My faith helps me have the right attitude. I serve God, not man."
While all of her past positions have helped prepare her for her new role, Adams said she carries a broader perspective having served in the office of the secretary of defense.
"Throughout my career, I've always been told the customer was the warfighter," Adams said. "While that is still the case, as we go through budget cuts, we also have to be responsible to the taxpayer. The taxpayers are also our customers, and we have to understand the importance of being efficient and effective."
AMC Commander Gen. Dennis L. Via said Adams career as a senior executive has been long, accomplished and distinguished. "But she wasn't selected for the position based on her record alone," Via said. "It was her demonstrated potential for even greater success in the future."
As she follows the commanding general's intent and guidance, Adams said she understands the need to collaborate with the two other Army commands -- the Training and Doctrine and Forces Commands -- and make partners of the Office of Secretary of Defense, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology and Congress.
As the senior civilian in the command, Adams said she hopes to be a role model to the 63,000 civilian employees as she works to support them and represent their needs.
As the Army and AMC face issues in the midst of a declining budget, downsizing and the threat of sequestration, Adams said hopes to be a positive force in dealing with those challenges.
"We have to synchronize across the Army and make sure our issues are framed so we can work collaboratively to solve them."
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