502nd MSG hosts first customer service workshop

Photo By L.A. Shively | Sarafina DeLosSantos, executive officer for the 502nd Mission Support Group, speaks during a customer workshop, Aug. 19, at the Region 20 Conference Center. The workshop, a first of its kind, covered base operations support from each of the functional squadrons, supports agreements as well as the reimbursement process. Approximately 150 military and civilians representing unit and organizational resource managers, planners, and others, who participate in the Inter-Service Support Agreement and/or Base Operations Support processes attended.  

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES

08.29.2012

Story by L.A. Shively 

Joint Base San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO - Providing support to mission partners was top on the agenda for Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston’s first customer service workshop at the Region 20 Education Center, Aug. 29.

Approximately 150 action officers representing military and civilian organizations across JBSA-FSH attended to review and discuss installation support topics including budgeting, the support agreements process and reimbursable services.

“Each of our squadron directors outlined the services that they provide and answered questions,” said Serafina L. De Los Santos, executive officer for the 502nd Mission Support Group, who led the workshop.

De Los Santos explained the aim of the workshop was to ensure the audience was aware of the services the 502nd MSG provides and understand that some support is compensable.

“We want to help them budget for any support that would be reimbursable, especially now that we are all in cost conscious culture,” De Los Santos said.

Each unit has unique requirements explained Col. John Lamoureux, 502nd MSG commander, and this workshop is an attempt to get the mission partners on the same page in order to acquire the necessary resources to support them.

“The end state is a happier customer and more resources if we can justify it through their input,” Lamoureux said.

“We can find out now the exact things we need to know as far as who will support us and how it will be provided,” said Ben Williams, a budget analyst with Public Health Command Region-South.

“I can discuss our challenges directly with our mission partners and where we are going in the future,” said Alberto Jorge-Sanchez, director, 502nd Security Forces Squadron. “Sometimes a phone call does not give them the true picture, as I try to explain the changes going on within the squadron while going from an Army organization to an Air Force organization.”

Jorge-Sanchez was pleased with the opportunity to network with the other partners too. “We can talk and cross-talk and they can get questions to me directly. It’s a good thing,” he said.

“Finally, we just wanted them to meet us,” De Los Santos said, “and know that we are here to help.”

• Date Taken: 08.29.2012
• Date Posted: 09.10.2012 16:36
• Story ID: 94469
• Location: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US