Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Dallas engineer experiences professional, personal growth during England rotation

    Dallas engineer experiences professional, personal growth during England rotation

    Photo By Thomas Perry | Azeem Mahmood, a Defense Contract Management Agency Dallas engineer, completed a...... read more read more

    DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES

    07.08.2015

    Story by Thomas Perry 

    Defense Contract Management Agency

    DALLAS - Last year, Azeem Mahmood served an overseas rotation with Defense Contract Management Agency Bristol, United Kingdom. The three-month assignment, which he described as one of the great experiences of his life, was among his last duties as an entry-level team member with DCMA Dallas.

    Following his overseas rotation, he graduated from the Keystone program becoming a fully-trained and Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certified. Like many young Americans, Mahmood has just begun his march to success. His supervisor, Edwin Garcia, believes Mahmood’s 4,500 mile journey to England will play a large role as he advances forward.

    “The overseas rotation gave him opportunities to work with and learn from other experienced DCMA staff in various fields such as earned value management systems, software surveillance, quality assurance and systems engineering,” said Garcia, a DCMA Dallas supervisory general engineer. “The knowledge he gained from those experiences was invaluable, allowing him to be able to take on various engineering tasks and roles in the (contract management office).”

    While the young engineer admits the bonus of traveling around Europe and experiencing a world significantly older than his own was an exciting benefit, his main reason for wanting the overseas rotation was professional development. “It was highly beneficial to me because I was able to work and learn from some of the best in their respective fields,” said Mahmood, who is now a support program integrator for the Navy’s EA-18G next generation jammer.

    Within that role, Garcia said Mahmood provides the customer with invaluable feedback on the program’s current technology and development phase, but this is just one example of his seamless professional transition since his European excursion.

    “Since returning from his overseas rotation, he has been a tremendous asset to this office,” said Garcia. “He has not only become more knowledgeable of the various DCMA engineering tasks at hand but has demonstrably improved his communication skills allowing him to develop greater rapport with both his fellow agency coworkers and Raytheon contractor personnel. He is still young and learning and I believe in the years to come Mr. Mahmood will be a great contributor to DCMA’s mission.”

    Lorraine Ganaway, DCMA Dallas management and program analyst and Keystone coordinator, has known Mahmood for years and been impressed with his development.

    “I cannot emphasize how much progress Mahmood has made in the Keystone program; it allowed him to attain the necessary training needed to perform his duties to the best of his abilities,” said Ganaway. “In addition, he had the opportunity to meet other Keystones as well as experienced personnel from other CMO’s and learn from their experiences.”

    She is also impressed with his competitive drive, including his desire to be selected for the overseas program. “He took the initiative to find out about the opportunity for Keystones to complete an overseas rotation because he was so excited for that kind of opportunity. He started gathering his information months ahead time before the agency memo was even released.”

    Mahmood entered the agency through the Student Career Experience Program, now included within the Pathways program. He first heard of the overseas program while attending the University of Texas at Arlington. “I knew then I wanted to apply for it,” he said. “My reasons for applying were not only that I would get to travel to another country but my interest in learning and understanding how DCMA operates in an international setting.” After graduation, he entered the Keystone program.

    “During the time I spent in the SCEP and as a Keystone, I spent a considerable amount of time working and learning from the experienced staff at my current CMO and from the other CMOs I rotated to,” said Mahmood, who believes both programs provided him with valuable tools toward agency and personal success. “These experiences allowed me to see the many career opportunities DCMA has to offer and were the main driver as to my decision to continue employment with the agency.”

    Prior to his official selection, Mahmood knew there would be stiff competition, but according to Ganaway, he was not deterred. “He knew he would be competing against other agency applicants as well as those within his own organization. He knew he had to stand out above everyone else in order to be selected for this opportunity. I am glad he was selected to participate. He deserved it.”

    Since returning, Mahmood has become a mentor to other Keystones and journeymen in the office, said Garcia. “He has done a great job of helping them understand their learning and training objectives, and has given them advice as to how to meet those objectives.”

    Eager to pass on the experience, Mahmood gave all current and future Keystones some valuable advice. “I was able to visit many great cities in both the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. I would highly recommend any Keystone apply for this opportunity.”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.08.2015
    Date Posted: 07.08.2015 09:26
    Story ID: 169379
    Location: DALLAS, TX, US

    Web Views: 206
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN