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News | July 3, 2019

Employee attends inaugural Acquisition Workforce Early Career Workshop

By DCMA Public Affairs

Defense Contract Management Agency employee Kathleen Giannetti, DCMA Aircraft Integrated Maintenance Operations-Crestview contract administrator, was one of 19 throughout the Department of Defense who participated in the inaugural Early Career Workshop hosted by Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, June 4-6 at the Pentagon.

The goal of the workshop was to gain an operational perspective from acquisition employees with 5-10 years in service to see what they feel is working well in acquisition, what could be improved, and to engage this critical subset of the acquisition workforce. The workshop is also one part of a broader continuous engagement strategy to purposely involve early career employees in shaping the future of acquisition.

Giannetti said it was an honor to represent the DCMA acquisition community at the workshop.

“Collaborating with a cross-section of dedicated and passionate acquisition professionals who proudly support the warfighter was truly motivational,” she said. “The workshop facilitators encouraged honest dialogue on possible initiatives to support the Human Capital Initiative goal of maintaining a high quality, high performing and agile acquisition workforce.”

The workshop discussions culminated in three presentations at the Pentagon, to include suggested new initiatives on talent mobility, workforce accountability and work life balance. Individual groups will work remotely to collaborate and expand on these ideas in the future.

Giannetti felt the exposure to Lord’s ongoing dedication to creating and supporting an elite acquisition workforce was inspiring.

“Her open interaction with our team revealed her commitment to empower both current and future acquisition professionals from the highest level,” she said. “I look forward to investing in a DCMA career supported by leaders who are intent on surrounding me with an elite workforce who remains engaged and inspired to support the warfighter now and into the future.”

Read more at https://dod.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1893535/dod-hosts-early-career-workshop-to-serve-as-change-initiative-platform-for-the/.