Spring 1999 Newsletter
FROM THE PRESIDENT
 Time flies
when you’re having fun! Here it is May 1999 already. I’m looking forward to PDI
‘99 in San Diego and looking back on the year as your Chapter President. This past
year has re-enforced my long-standing confidence in the knowledge and capabilities of
those individuals, at all levels, who provide fiscal management expertise within the
Department of Defense and the U. S. Coast Guard.
Throughout this past year chapter members have consistently stepped forward to give
their time and efforts to our ASMC events. We twice helped Habitat for Humanity construct
homes for those in need. Members donated toys generously to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots
campaign and bunnies for the Children’s Hospital. We provided scholarships to
exceptional high school students and recognition awards to individual and team
professional efforts.
We put together the finest and largest ever Annual Symposium, providing our members
with candid, professional presentations and workshops. This Newsletter is easily the most
professional of all the ASMC chapter products. Our luncheons have been blessed with
interesting speakers from all aspects of the profession. The Washington Chapter even moved
into the electronic age this year: increasing communication via e-mail; publishing a
chapter web site (http://members.xoom.com/Wash_ASMC) on the internet; and accepting credit
cards for both the Symposium and Luncheon charges.
At the end of June, Mr. Charlie Cook will step up to assume Washington Chapter
leadership duties. The future is bright. I know the membership will continue to support
ASMC and chapter initiatives. We’ll focus this coming year on organizing and putting
on PDI 2000, yet we’ll continue to provide quality professional opportunities and
events at local Chapter events.
Work hard. Play hard. See you at PDI.
Vic Ackley
THE NATION'S SMALLEST SERVICE PREPARES FOR YEAR 2000 (Y2K)
By Mr. Samuel J. Korson
Starting late last spring, the U. S. Coast Guard made the commitment to become highly
proactive insofar as the Year 2000 (Y2K) contingency was concerned. Lining up a variety of
talent, from both the active and reserve forces, Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington,
DC set in motion the efforts that will help to ensure that Service's preparedness for the
change from the 1900s to the 2000s.
Admiral James M. Loy, Coast Guard Commandant early on declared that the possible Y2K
contingency was to be considered a top priority. As a result, a new organization was put
in place to help direct many of the Service's planning efforts towards ensuring that the
Coast Guard would be Y2K ready. This organization, together with the existing Contingency
Preparedness Division, at Coast Guard Headquarters, along with the Coast Guard's two Area
commands (Atlantic and Pacific), immediately plunged into the effort to produce the proper
guidance for the Service to prepare for Y2K. Two meetings at Reserve Training Center (RTC)
Yorktown, and numerous teleconferences, ultimately produced a boilerplate Business
Continuity Contingency Plan (BCCP) that was to be used service-wide for Y2K preparedness.
A concerted effort was made in redirecting the Coast Guard's Fiscal Year 1999 planning
efforts to the Y2K contingency, rather than the Service's normal contingency planning.
In addition to the BCCPs, Coast Guard Headquarters established and activated an
Incident Management Team (IMT), under the Incident Management System (ICS). Together with
the BCCPs, this has enabled the Service to gather the proper resources - manpower and
otherwise - into the concerted effort required preparing for Y2K. The use of ICS has been
extremely beneficial in providing the proper direction for various Coast Guard
Directorates in focusing their response efforts. Being used for the first time, in a
manner such as this, ICS has shown itself to be an excellent way for an organization to
bring itself together to respond to any type of contingency.
Overall, the Coast Guard has exhibited a high degree of resiliency. Using their
standard planning process, Coast Guard Planners have done a remarkable job in producing a
line up of outstanding Y2K Contingency Plans. Ultimately, the work-arounds contained in
these BCCPs will find their way into existing plans, thereby enabling the Coast Guard to
better handle future contingencies.
Even as the top-level Coast Guard guidance was being developed, however, several Coast
Guard commands, both at the district and unit levels, acted proactively and, rather than
wait for Headquarters and the Area commands to produce Model BCCPs, they produced
Contingency Plans on their own. The foresightedness of these commands was applauded. It
was decided rather than to have them rewrite their plans to match the model BCCPs, the
plans would be reviewed to ensure that they complied with the requirements from
Headquarters and the Areas.
The BCCPs were designed for two purposes.
First, they were designed to pre-identify "work-arounds" to enable units to
respond to operational missions in spite of any Y2K failures. The BCCPs encompass the
entire scope of a unit's infrastructure and everything that can go wrong with it. They
encompass not only every possible aspect of a unit's workings, but they note the unit's
suppliers and their suppliers, and helps to ensure that the command will be adequately
covered for water, sewer, supplies, funding, etc., when the year turns to 2000. In
accordance with both GAO and Department of Transportation requirements, these points were
essential when the BCCPs were being written, whether or not they are ultimately approved.
The second primary function for these plans is for the BCCPs to be embedded into the
unit's normal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or Operations Plans (OPLANS) for use in
future operations. Confronting the Y2K contingency has afforded the Coast Guard an
opportunity to take a hard look at each command's infrastructure and personnel issues, and
how the unit relates to the community. This introspection will force commands to update
their contingency plans in order to be better prepared for contingencies other than the
changing millennium.
A final positive note is that the efforts of individuals within the Coast Guard's
planning community have been recognized as being just as important as those are in the
more operational disciplines. Planners and program analysts have worked tirelessly to
produce Business Continuity Contingency Plans that will enable the Coast Guard to be as
prepared as possible at the stroke of midnight on 31 December 1999. Work-arounds have been
produced, at-risk sources of supply have been identified, and methodologies have been
devised for ensuring that people are paid, housed, and fed. The planning community of the
Coast Guard has risen to the occasion to which it has been called, and exemplifies the
Service's motto, "Semper Paratus".
About the Author: Mr. Samuel Korson is a Program Analyst in the Contingency
Preparedness Division, Office of Command, Control & Preparedness, at U. S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, Washington, DC. His primary responsibilities encompass writing doctrine and
policy for Coast Guard responses to a myriad of contingencies, and overseeing the Coast
Guard's contingency exercise program. Sam is serving as the Coast Guard Vice President,
Washington Chapter.
NEWSNOTES
ON THE MOVE
Congratulations to Mr. Art Hagler on his promotion to HQ, AMC. Art
worked in the Business Resources Directorate, Army Budget Office, ASA (FM&C).
Congratulations to Ms. Jacqueline Stewart on her new assignment to the
Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development, and Acquisition, SARDA/AMC
Combat Service Support as a Program Analyst, GS-13.
Congratulations to Major General Jerry L. Sinn. MG Jerry L. Sinn, will
be reassigned from Commanding General, US Army Engineer Division, North Atlantic,
Brooklyn, New York to Director of the Army Budget, OASA (FM&C), Washington, DC with a
report date to be determined.
Colonel Andrew J. Sherbo, USAF, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary
(Cost and Economics) is being reassigned as the HQ, Pacific Air Force Comptroller.
Colonel David E. Price, USAF, Budget Programs, is being reassigned as
the 61st Air Base Group Commander AFMC), Los Angeles AFB, CA.
Congratulations to the following Air Force personnel on their recent promotions:
Major General Everette G. Odgers, Director of Budget Operations and
Personnel, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.
Mr. Patrick Zarodkiewicz, Senior Executive Service, Director, Budget
Investment, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Budget).
Colonel Maryette D. Pesola, Principal Assistant for Finance, SAF/FMP.
Colonel David Gooseens, Chief, O&M Formulation and Enactment
Branch.
Lt Colonel Joseph Ward, Chief, Accounting and Finance Division, Office
of Air Force Reserve.
Congratulations to Ms. Wendy Kunc on her selection to attend ICAF.
Congratulations to Ms. Wendy Kunc on her award for Outstanding
Contribution to Financial Management and Comptroller – Civilian, Air Staff.
Congratulations to Ms. Suzanne Hunt on her promotion within the
Investment Directorate, Army Budget Office, ASA (FM&C). Sue recently worked within the
Facilities Division.
Congratulations to Mr. John L. Miller on his recent promotion to the
ranks of Senior Executive Service. John is the Director for Business Resources, Army
Budget Office, ASA (FM&C). John was the Director, Acquisition Integration Division,
Investment Directorate.
Congratulations and farewell to the following ASA (FM&C) personnel:
Colonel Ervin Pearson departed OASA (FM&C) for Ft. Hood TX. COL
Pearson was the Executive Officer, OASA (FM&C).
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ramsey departed the Business Resources
Directorate, Army Budget Office, for Ft. Stewart GA.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Toner departed the Army Budget Office for
Ft. Riley, KS. LTC Toner was the Executive Officer for the Director of the Army Budget.
Major Brad Brents departed the Operations and Support Directorate,
Army Budget Office, to attend CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth KS.
Major Brad Ramey departed the Operations and Support Directorate, Army
Budget Office, to attend CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth KS.
Major Jeff Vieira departed the Management and Control Directorate,
Army Budget Office, to attend CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth KS.
Major Bruce Sneed departed the Management and Control Directorate,
Army Budget Office, to attend CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth KS.
Congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel Janet Jones on her reassignment
as Executive Officer for the Director of the Army Budget. LTC Jones was the
Executive for Budget, PPBC.
RETIREMENTS
Congratulations to Ms. Liz Banta, OSD Comptroller, on her imminent
July retirement. Liz was the OSD Vice President for the Washington Chapter. She will
continue as the Washington Chapter Co-Chair for PDI 2000, and as the Program Committee
Chairperson.
NEWS FROM ASMC NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
National Headquarters has a new website address. Mark this as one of your
favorites: http://www.asmconline.org
Life Membership: Effective 1 November 1998, persons with 20 consecutive
years’ membership will continue to receive a renewal invoice and be requested to pay
annual dues. These members will receive recognition in the Armed Forces Comptroller
magazine, and at the National Professional Development Institute. If your chapter
has a member with an initial year prior to 1978, please contact Jennifer Sizemore at
National Headquarters, 549-0360, to have the status of the member changed to Life
Membership.
Associate Membership: The following constitutional change was approved by
a ballot vote and announced at the mid-year National Council Meeting. Resolved that
so much of Article V, section 6 as reads "Honorary and Associate Members have the
right to speak at meetings but not to make motions, vote or hold any office in the
society." Be amended to delete reference to Associate Members, and read as follows
"Honorary Members have the right to spear at meetings but not to make motions, vote
or hold any office in the society." Local chapter constitutions should be
updated accordingly.
AD HOC COMMITTEE
By CDR Marci Pinkerton
As mentioned in an earlier article, CAPT Ackley established an Ad Hoc committee
comprised of the Washington Chapter Vice Presidents to develop ideas to invigorate our
chapter functions and better meet our members’ interests. The underlying question the
committee has worked to answer is, "Why should I join the Washington Chapter or
ASMC?"
Some of the committee’s ideas have been implemented, such as nametags to be worn
at luncheons and expanded contacts through e-mail. The committee has also proposed
several more detailed changes which were presented to the April Executive Board meeting
for consideration, such as:
- Establish a set day and location for the monthly luncheons. The Ad Hoc
Committee thinks attendance will increase if members know the luncheon will always be the
Xth day of the month at a given place.
- Establish a Program Committee. Purpose will be to develop a cohesive approach for
the luncheon speaker topics, and to tie those topics into that year's Spring Symposium
theme. The Program Committee’s charter would include:
- Propose a theme for the current and upcoming year, which would become the basis for the
Spring Symposium.
- Develop luncheon topics to support the theme.
- Establish a "Speakers Bureau" by canvassing members for names of potential
speakers.
- Find a speaker for each luncheon, work with the speaker on a topic related to the theme,
and, if necessary, find a back-up speaker.
- Establish a Luncheon Committee with members from each service. Services sponsor a
luncheon once every 8-12 months (the schedule varies due to Holiday parties and services
making trades). Sponsoring a luncheon so infrequently leads to confusion about who
should be doing what, to the point where each luncheon becomes a stressful event for the
host sponsor. With a substantial luncheon committee comprised of service members,
the luncheons would be simpler and of consistent quality.
The Executive Board will make decisions regarding the above proposals at the May
board meeting, with the results noted on the Chapter web page shortly thereafter. Please
check the web page the second week of May for the status – and the opportunity to
possibly join either the Program Committee or Luncheon Committee!
About the Author: CDR Marci Pinkerton works for NAVSEA. She is the Ad Hoc
Committee Chairperson and the 1998-1999 Washington Chapter Navy Vice President.
CHAPTER MEMBER EARN
ANSER EXCELLENCE AWARD
Mr. Galen Bessert, ASMC Washington Chapter member, earned the ANSER
"Excellence" Award while working on the Headquarters Air Force Information
Architecture Planning (IAP) team. A financial management expert, Mr. Bessert has worked
for ANSER—a public service research institute based in Crystal City VA—for one
year. The team delivered a Strategic Information Management Plan to modernize the
headquarters information management practices and provide faster service to its customers.
Mr. Bessert led the team in the development of the budget information project and the
money manager project of the plan. He has been asked to continue his work into the
implementation phase of the strategic plan.
ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM
By Ms. Setsuko McGinnis
The 1998-1999 Annual Awards Program kicked off with Individual and Team Achievement
Award nomination submissions to the Washington Chapter. Any office or person in the
Department of Defense or the US Coast Guard (to include National Guard or Reserve
Components) may nominate a person or team that has demonstrated outstanding performance.
A member or non-member of ASMC may be nominated. Nominations from the Washington
Chapter were submitted to ASMC National Headquarters for consideration by the National
Awards Committee selection panel. The National Awards are presented at the
Professional Development Institute in San Diego. The national winners are also
listed in the Armed Forces Comptroller magazine.
From the nominations submitted on behalf of chapter members, the Washington Chapter
Individual and Team Achievement Award winners have been selected. The Individual
Achievement Award winner is Genda Suber, Air Force. Ms. Suber spearheaded efforts to
streamline accounting transactions for depot level reparables, eliminating multiple
inventory transactions and duplicate entries. This year’s Team Achievement
Award goes to the SEA 014 "RDT&E, N. Weapons, OPN" team for organizational
change improvements that permitted a 40% personnel reduction while not reducing work
requirements.
Congratulations to the Washington Chapter winners. To learn more about these
awards, which are part of the National Awards Program, visit the ASMC National
Headquarters website at www.asmconline.org.
About the Author: Ms. Setsuko McGinnis is a Budget Analyst in the
Investment Directorate, Army Budget Office, ASA (FM&C). Setsuko is the Awards/Essay
Committee Chairperson for the Washington Chapter.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The audit of the prior year records has been completed. The audit report was
provided the President and Secretary. The taxes for FY 96 and FY 97 have been
completed.
Washington Chapter is responsible for three committees for PDI 2000: (1) Program
Committee chaired by Liz Banta; (2) Corporate Committee chaired by Sam Korson; and (3)
Hospitality Committee chaired by CDR Marci Pinkerton. Volunteers for the Washington
Chapter committees, as well as other committees are needed. PDI 2000 will be May 30 –
June 2, 2000, in Philadelphia PA.
The Ad Hoc Committee chaired by CDR Marci Pinkerton presented three proposals to the
Executive Board. The proposals include (1) Establish a set day and location for the
luncheons; (2) Establish a Program Committee; and (3) Establish a Luncheon Committee with
members from each service.
The ASMC Washington Chapter Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 21st at
Andrews AFB West Course. Ms. Ramona Jones has been organizing this year’s
tournament.
Officer slate for 1999/2000 was announced. Voting occurred at the April luncheon.
The new President, Secretary, and Treasurer serve for a period of one year from 1
July to 30 June. The Vice Presidents and Assistant Secretaries serve two years.
The offices of President, Secretary, and Treasurer are rotated among the agencies
in the Chapter membership. For 1999/2000, the rotation was reversed between the
Marine Corps and OSD.
Committee reports follow. The Competition report was submitted in April.
Two Habitat for Humanity projects were done as part of our Community Service efforts.
Membership rosters have been scrubbed and updated. The membership campaign
continues. Assistance with Newsletter input (articles, Newsnotes, ASMC events) is
always appreciated. The photographer continues to take photos and get digital photos
posted. Scholarship selections have been made.
PDI 2000
By Ms. Carolyn J Herbst
Washington Chapter, with four other chapters, will sponsor PDI 2000 in Philadelphia PA.
PDI 2000 is scheduled from May 30 – June 2, 2000. The Washington Chapter has
agreed to chair three committees:
Program Committee
Chair: Liz Banta bantae@osd.pentagon.mil
Co-Chairs: Zena Thomas and Nancy Rogers
Corporate Sponsorship Committee
Chair: Sam Korson skorson@comdt.uscg.mil
Co-Chairs: CAPT Vic Ackley and Barry Haas
Hospitality Committee
Chair: CDR Marci Pinkerton PinkertonME@navsea.navy.mil
Co-Chairs: Bessie Martin and Sandy Myrick and Cindy Pettibone
The committee chairs, co-chairs, and volunteers will be dedicating a significant amount
of time in the next year in preparation for this important event. Shadowing at the
PDI 1999 in San Diego will also occur. A kick-off meeting for PDI 2000 will be held
in Philadelphia in July.
We are in need of PDI 2000 volunteers. Another Chapter is chairing the Volunteer
Committee, which will coordinate the manning requirements for the various committees.
The Washington Chapter has only received a limited number of volunteers. If
you want to help and do not have a committee preference, send an e-mail to Liz Banta.
If you want to help with one of the Washington Chapter Committees, please e-mail
the Committee Chair. Active volunteers—those those put in a minimum number of
hours—will receive a reduced rate for attending PDI 2000.
Highlights of the Washington Chapter Committee responsibilities follows:
Program Committee:
- Serve on the National Professional Development Committee.
- Identify potential speakers and workshop panel for committee approval.
- During PDI provide daily program updates/changes to the Publicity Committee for
distribution to conferees.
- Develop a cadre of instructional assistants who will assist visiting speakers in
conducting workshops or other training activities.
- Staff speaker lounge (coordinate requirements with Administrative Committee).
- Provide critique form for workshops.
Corporate Sponsorship Committee:
- Develop a database of potential corporate and government sponsors.
- Work with ASMC National Headquarters on the development of promotion materials.
- Distribute solicitation brochures/contractual information to potential corporate
sponsors and defense agencies.
- Work with Executive Committee and National Headquarters on corporate sponsorship for
various events during the PDI.
- Conduct advance registration for corporate sponsors and assign booth space. Registration
activities will be totally separate from PDI attendee registration.
- Provide corporate sponsor hotel reservation/facility requirements to Prestige and
Administration Committee.
- Arrange luncheon food service for corporate sponsors.
- Provide adequate security for corporate sponsor displays.
Hospitality Committee:
- After theme has been chosen, make icebreaker refreshments arrangements.
- Work with Prestige and Executive Committee in selecting decorating themes for the
Welcome Reception and Friday night banquet.
- Make selections for luncheons with approval from both Prestige and Executive Committee.
- Establish courtesy and welcome centers at hotels, commercial airport, and military air
terminal.
- Design a 20-question list of frequently asked questions. Train the volunteers who will
be manning the hospitality tables.
About the Author: Ms. Carolyn J Herbst works in the Army Budget Office, ASA (FM&C).
Carolyn is the Washington Chapter Newsletter Editor.
WASHINGTON CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
By Ms. Shirley Simpkins
Each year the Washington Chapter awards scholarships to graduating seniors recognized
as outstanding students. The award is to be used in attaining educational goals. The
Washington Chapter has made eight awards of $1,000 each year for the past several years.
One award recipient is recommended to our national headquarters for consideration for an
additional scholarship.
Applicants for the award must be entering a field of study related to financial
operations; e.g., business administration, economics, public administration, operations
research, accounting, finance, or other related fields. During the evaluation process,
areas such as scholastic achievements, extracurricular activities and leadership roles in
those activities, career goals, and financial need are considered. Parental or guardian
membership in ASMC is not required.
The Washington Chapter scholarship selections for 1999 include:
Washington DC School
Keonna Carter Benjamin Banneker Academic
Maryland Schools
David Ubben Gwynn Park, Brandywine MD
Candice Boteler Waldorf MD
Lauren Liebes Rockville MD
Sarah Freeman Chapter Heights MD
Virginia Schools
Monica Sullivan Alexandria VA
Jennifer Bizub Herndon VA
Jamie Oskin Fairfax VA
Congratulations to the scholarship winners. The Washington Chapter scholarship winners
are also recognized at a luncheon and presentation ceremony. To learn more about the
student award program, visit the Washington Chapter Scholarship WebPage.
About the Author: Ms. Shirley Simpkins works for NAVSEA. Shirley is the Scholarship
Committee Chairperson and the Navy’s Assistant Secretary for the Washington Chapter.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
By Ms. Shannon Kentner
On Saturday, 27 March, seventeen hardy Washington Chapter members volunteered at
the Habitat for Humanity site on Princess Street in Alexandria VA. Volunteers
primarily hung sheet rock on walls, ceilings and stairwells, but also hung doors, cleaned
and performed a multitude of tasks. Each of the three townhouses we worked on was in
a different phase of construction, but all were tentatively scheduled for completion on 1
May. Many thanks to all the hardworking volunteers from Army, Navy, OUSD/C, BMDO,
NIMA and Networking by Images.
Habitat’s next construction project will be a multi-townhouse complex on Glebe
Road in Alexandria. If you’d like to volunteer, the Washington Chapter will be
sponsoring our next workday in the early fall. Information about this project will
be available on the Chapter website. Additional information about Habitat for
Humanity can be found at www.habitat.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia is a Christian Ministry that draws together
the resources of the entire community to build decent, affordable housing for people in
need. Habitat's unique approach to low-cost home ownership relies on sweat-equity
(volunteering), donor generosity, volunteer labor, and an interest-free mortgage.
Habitat relies on volunteers to work on construction sites building homes and to
serve on the committees that do much of the day-to-day work of the affiliate.
About the Author: Ms. Shannon Kentner is a Financial Manager for NIMA in
Reston. Shannon is the Chairperson for the Community Service Project Committee.
Washington Chapter members ready to perform their tasks
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