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    A tale of two Chrises

    A tale of two Chrises

    Photo By Matthew Montgomery | Chris Marquez, Defense Contract Management Agency West Region management analyst, and...... read more read more

    CARSON, CA, UNITED STATES

    10.02.2014

    Story by Matthew Montgomery 

    Defense Contract Management Agency

    CARSON, Calif. - To say the Western Regional Command runs on Chrises would show how vital management analysts and management assistants are at Defense Contract Management Agency headquarters and regional commands across the agency where they perform many important functions and track critical items for commanders and deputies.

    Chris Marquez is the management analyst to Air Force Col. Glenn L. Graham, Western Regional Command commander. Chris Wiklund is the management assistant to Hycentha Hodge, Western Region Command deputy commander.

    The two Chrises sit across from each other at the regional headquarters and collectively handle almost all interaction between the front office and the contract management office leaders throughout the region. They handle travel arrangements, time keeping, calendar appointments, coordinate visits, compile briefings, file travel vouchers, task CMOs, plan agency events and manage a full-range of front office responsibilities.

    “Chris and I coordinate everything together,” said Wiklund. “When I’m gone on my (regular day off) she takes care of my tasks, and when she’s gone I take care of hers.”

    If employees don’t work well together, working in close proximity can be challenging. Fortunately, the two Chrises have been getting along for more than 17 years. They both came to the agency in the early 1990’s within two months of each other.

    “We have a rapport – we can just look at each other sometimes and know what the other is thinking,” said Wiklund. “When you’ve worked together so long, sometimes you just know.”

    Marquez said between the two of them the front office has coverage from 5:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. They have arranged their schedules to ensure DCMA leaders on the East Coast can reach someone at the region headquarters in the morning if necessary. Like many of the tasks at the headquarters, they did this without being asked, and without a problem because it just makes sense.

    “If you don’t mesh and you can’t work together it becomes much harder to get the job done,” said Wiklund. “We have to share information on a daily basis, and sometimes we’ll even send texts to each other at night if there is something that has to be done the next day.”

    While they might be on the same page at work, their interests outside of work take different paths. Marquez loves black and white movies, sewing, art and drawing. She describes herself as a very simple person. Wiklund takes piano lessons, works additional jobs to stay busy and is a member of a book club.

    Family is important to both women and they make it a point to spend as much time as possible with nieces, nephews, children, brothers and sisters.

    The Chrises have lived in California most of their lives - Wiklund since 5 years old, Marquez was born and raised in Los Angeles. They both love the area and are outgoing people.

    They’ve experienced a lot over their 17 years together. Many regional commanders and deputies have transitioned through the office, not to mention CMO commanders, directors and deputies. Through it all, they both have the same reason for loving the job, “the people.”

    “The people are my favorite part of DCMA,” said Marquez. “I enjoy working with employees at varying levels within the organization – especially new commanders and directors. Helping them get started and focused as they take on a new experience is very rewarding. The people I’ve met have changed and influenced my life over the years, and continue to.”

    “I like interacting with the CMOs and commands across the west because I think we all work well as a team,” said Wiklund. “It makes work a lot of fun, interesting and enjoyable when you’re able to see how it all comes together to deliver products to the warfighter.”

    Neither Chris has immediate plans for retirement, so for the time being, the west will continue to operate efficiently with the two Chrises.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.02.2014
    Date Posted: 10.28.2014 14:08
    Story ID: 146336
    Location: CARSON, CA, US

    Web Views: 136
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN