JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- (Nov. 18, 2015) Two contract specialists from the Mission and Installation Contracting Command were recently selected for the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program.
Jeff Johnson from Fort Riley, Kansas, and Rebecca Beaudry from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, were notified of their selection for DCELP, which is designed to develop the next generation of leaders possessing the technical competence to meet future DOD needs.
"I was completely shocked when I first received word of my selection. Given the number of highly qualified people who applied and the limited number of those selected to attend is simply mind blowing to say the least," said Johnson. "I am quite humbled to have the opportunity to represent the many fine acquisition professionals found throughout the Mission and Installation Contracting Command."
Beaudry said she's equally honored over the selection and believes the opportunity to grow and develop as a member of a professional workforce is critical for all across the command.
"At the MICC, we have one of the most complex, challenging and dynamic missions in the Army. Achieving results as an aspiring leader in this environment requires the interpersonal skills to develop personnel, delegate tasks, establish standards and inspire performance," she said. "Attending the DCELP is the ideal forum for developing and honing such leadership proficiencies as well as being exposed to and networking with potential DOD leaders who possess the same aspirations."
Johnson agrees, adding that the exposure to others also taking part in the leadership training is mutually beneficial to all.
"I will be constantly exposed to new skills, ideas, concepts and methodologies that will continue to support my continued development and prepare me for future management opportunities within the acquisition community," he said.
Al Burnett is the acquisition career manager for the MICC at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He said the DOD program focuses on developing emerging leaders in the acquisition, financial management and human resources communities. In addition to a variety of instructional courses to be completed online, the program also consists of residential courses focused on leadership assessment, team development, effective writing in the federal government, conflict resolution and leadership for non-supervisors.
Beaudry said the experience she hopes to gain through the program will allow her to practice and sharpen new and pre-existing skills, qualifications and experiences in order to become a proficient and thoughtful future leader.
"The return on investment to my organization will be an Army acquisition workforce member who aspires to become a great decision-maker who inspires others," she added.
Both Johnson and Beaudry said remaining proactive while maintaining customer focus helped contribute to their selections for DCELP.
As a contract specialist, Beaudry said she not only identifies potential issues with requirements that are assigned to her but also presents supervisors with researched solutions to those challenges.
"I seek out positions of greater responsibility, opportunities to perform above my position, and opportunities to mentor other professionals in my organization," she said. "I hold myself to a high standard of professionalism. On a daily basis, our customers face incredible challenges in their mission to serve our country, which I have witnessed first-hand as a MICC professional, and as a military spouse."
She relies on those shared experiences as well as those spent working in nonprofit and philanthropic services and time dedicated toward achieving her undergraduate and juris doctorate goals.
"I have a clear vision of the exceptional level of customer service and support that should be provided to our customers to enable them to serve our country and achieve the mission," Beaudry said.
Johnson added that his selection for professional development is driven by a commitment to the highest levels of integrity.
"An exceptional leader is one who is highly trained, dedicated to their purpose and steadfast in their belief to do what is right regardless the difficulty," he said. "My previous leadership experiences, though varied in their complexity, have taught me that leading is also an activity born of hard work as well. Yet it is the combination of my experiences and my willingness to learn (that) will continue to prove invaluable throughout my career."
Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the MICC is made up of more than 1,500 military and civilian members assigned to three contracting support brigades, one field directorate office and 32 field offices responsible for contracting for Soldiers. In fiscal 2015, the command executed more than 36,000 contract actions valued at more than $5.2 billion across the Army, including $2.25 billion to American small businesses. The command also managed more than 600,000 Government Purchase Card Program transactions in fiscal 2015 valued at an additional $747 million.
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