JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – “Solve It,” Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s own version of “Shark Tank,” the reality television series in which inventors try to successfully pitch their products to investors, will be held at 1:30 p.m., June 30.
The second annual event gives Department of the Army civilians the chance to present ideas for solutions and improvements to installation leadership with the possibility for those great ideas to be implemented and to win cash awards.
This year, 34 ideas were submitted, and “we had a dedicated team to review and screen based on pre-established criteria,” said Col. Kent Park, garrison commander.
Individuals and teams of up to three members submitted their problem-solving ideas via the JBLM Solve It portal. Each application needed to include a problem summary, the demographics affected, the reasoning behind the problem, possible impacts on the mission/community, and a list of resources required to solve the issue.
Six finalists were selected, and they will present their ideas to JBLM senior leaders. The winner will gain garrison and senior service commander endorsement for implementation, as well as a cash award, Park said.
“The other 28 ideas will be shared with directors for potential follow-up implementation as well,” he said. “Everyone who presented an idea will receive personalized, direct feedback – and many of the ideas not in the top six are still being pursued for implementation.”
The six finalists are Michelle Telander, air traffic control specialist at Gray Army Airfield; Jenelee Nganga, recreation specialist at McVeigh Fitness Center, teaming with Carl Hardy, lead recreation assistant at McVeigh Fitness Center; Heather Goodwin, secretary for the Directorate of Public Works; Steven Sawyer, structures branch chief for the Directorate of Public Works’ Operation and Maintenance Division; and Aimee Westfall, public safety dispatch director for the Joint Base Emergency Communications Center.
Telander is proposing the establishment of a dedicated radio frequency (or “Crash Net”) that “could enhance rapid real-time communication, facilitating better coordination and response efforts in critical situations," she said.
Nganga and Hardy’s idea involves digital, 24/7 fitness center patron packets, tracked via spreadsheets, and the ability for patrons to watch orientation videos, allowing ID cards to be registered faster.
Goodwin is suggesting “the implementation of a centralized, self-service Training Tracker System or tool designed to efficiently manage and monitor training activities across JBLM,” she said.
Sawyer is proposing “raising the monetary limit for simple repair orders. This would empower the same shop to complete the repairs directly, eliminating the time-consuming and costly added layers of authorization,” he said.
Finally, Westfall’s idea involves relocating the fire alarm panel system that is monitored by the Joint Base Emergency Communication Center, so 911 dispatchers can solely focus on giving life-saving instructions to callers instead of also acknowledging and validating contractors’ daily fire alarm panel tests.
To register to participate in the Solve It studio audience and vote for a favorite idea, follow this link: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=D9fm-kuVEUiStgUw1vhMQ_xhXqA5SMFEsNA6mfvwuT1UQU43OE1FS1BRVU1JNUhLQUtRM1YyNjkzVi4u&route=shorturl.
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