SAN ANTONIO, Tx - Defense Contract Management Agency Director Charlie E. Williams, Jr., visited the DCMA NASA Product Operations contract management office, and met with agency personnel assigned to various CMOs in the San Antonio area recently. During the visit Williams was able to speak with Keystone interns, answer questions, present awards and share the vision and focus areas of the agency.
Williams started the morning with a briefing from Chuck Snavely, DCMA NASA Product Operations director, which provided an overview of DCMA’s support to NASA. Williams then met with Keystone interns from various CMOs to include DCMA NPO, DCMA Dallas, the DCMA Financial Capability Group, DCMA Aircraft Integrated Maintenance Operations-Kelly, DMCA Aircraft Propulsion Operations-Kelly and the DCMA Property Center.
The Keystones were given the opportunity to voice their opinions on various topics such as orientation, training, cross-training, travel and global opportunities. One area Williams emphasized was for Keystones to glean as much knowledge as possible from the experienced workforce, and he stressed the importance of bridging the gap between generations with effective mentoring.
While discussing the mentorship program, he asked the Keystones to provide feedback on their mentors. Without hesitation, Brandt Crosby and Joe Niño, DCMA Financial Capability Group Keystones, agreed their supervisor, Luis Barrera was a great mentor.
“He is always willing to help us with a smile, no matter how busy he is,” said Crosby. “He is patient and always makes sure we understand how to deal with the day-to-day challenges we may face in our jobs,” added Niño.
The Keystones also noted Barrera is a supervisory financial analyst who demonstrates traits required for mentors to be successful such as patience, guidance, leadership, punctuality and seizing opportunities to not only teach, but to learn as well.
The Keystone meeting was followed by an All Hands where Williams addressed employees from all the CMOs and centers in the area, summarizing the agency direction and emphasis areas. During the All Hands he presented several special awards. Fred Willis, DCMA AIMO-Kelly supervisor, received the Civilian Career Service award for his distinguished service with DCMA. The DCMA Newcomer of the Year was presented to Kirk Heyen, DCMA AIMO-Kelly Keystone intern.
The DCMA Financial Capability Group Keystones were ecstatic when Williams surprised everyone and presented Luis Barrera with a director’s coin to show his gratitude and appreciation for his mentoring commitment.