SAN ANTONIO - Leaders from the Army Secretariat, Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management and the Installation Management Command met to discuss the future of installation management June 5-7 at Fort Sam Houston.
"This week, for just three days, we brought in key leaders from the installation management community and we're looking at how we deliver services today, what we're going to adjust, and then how we think look in 2020 - really, to align ourselves with the Army's strategy for U.S. Army 2020," said LTG Mike Ferriter, IMCOM commanding general.
During opening remarks for the Executive Leader Council on June 5, Ferriter emphasized the importance of teamwork to acting as effective leaders.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for installations, Energy and Environment Katherine Hammack stressed the same point.
"We have different roles and responsibilities but we have to work together seamlessly as a team," said Hammack.
With the theme "Building the Future: Installation 2020 Strategic Vision," the event also provided Ferriter an opportunity to share guidance on the organization's top 10 priorities and update leaders on issues affecting them daily.
Debra Zedalis, IMCOM Pacific Region director, said the gathering served several functions.
"First, it sets the baseline for what we're currently executing, so everyone has that full understanding," said Zedalis. "l think to bring everyone together from top to bottom really does knit that whole cloth for us. [Second], there are a lot of smart people and a lot of good ideas. When you bring big thinkers together you get big answers."
Although the Army is expected to be a leaner force moving forward, the council reinforced IMCOM's commitment to serving Soldiers, Civilians and Family members, despite future budget reductions.
"As we come together with all of our senior leaders in IMCOM and ACSIM," said IMCOM CSM Earl Rice, "it's extremely important that we spend this time together building our team and getting some systems in place to make sure that we can deliver the right services."
Future operations will require thoughtful management, according to MG Al Aycock, director of operations for ACSIM. "These times reflect an increased need for stewardship while supporting mission deployments and continued transformation of our force. The results of this session will help ensure we meet the needs of our Army in the future," he said.
Ferriter agreed.
"We wake up every day thinking about 'What is it that our Soldier needs and what is it that their Family member needs and how do we best deliver it?"' he said. "I'm very very proud of the installation management team around the world and very proud of the hard work that they do and the way they take care of our Soldiers and Families."
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Contributions to this article were made by Ray Johnson and Keith Smith, U.S. Army
Installation Management Command.
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