JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- An organization’s ability to change and adapt often means the difference between success and failure. For that reason, the Air Force Installation Contracting Agency not only embraces change, it lauds it!
“Without change, there can be no breakthroughs and, without breakthroughs, there can be no future,” is a quote AFICA Commander Brig. Gen. Alice Trevino often uses to emphasize the importance of a change mindset to her organization.
Through a program called S.T.A.R.S., the commander recognizes AFICA change agents at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, and around the globe.
S.T.A.R.S. is:
S – Read Strategic Documents (National Defense Strategy) and the AFICA Flight Plan
T – Take on AFICA’s objectives, goals and initiatives
A – Align command/operating location/squadron/flight/team with AFICA’s plan, goals and initiatives
R – Reach out to internal and external stakeholders, and mission partners
S – Share your story … know your purpose and how you contribute to the AFICA mission
One of the recent recipients, B.J. Miller with the 771st Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, said he couldn’t be more honored to receive his change agent star.
Being recognized as an AFICA change agent “is definitely a tremendous opportunity to be a part of the larger AFICA where we, collectively, revolutionize the way the Air Force spends its funding,” Miller said.
“(S.T.A.R.S.) is a unique way to honor members of AFICA,” said Racelle Furnace, an AFICA cost and price analyst and recently recognized change agent. “Change and innovation can seem like nebulous concepts that are only valuable on a grand scale. Showing individuals that change and innovation can be accomplished in small ways within their own offices helps make those concepts meaningful and attainable.
Carla Perkins, an AFICA procurement analyst, agrees.
“An organization should have the ability to provide new ideas, growth and opportunities,” Perkins said. “Innovation drives making things bigger, better, faster, more creative, state of the art and top of the line. Change the rules sometimes and keep up with the fast pace environment.
“Let’s be that ‘fresh’ organization that is product- and results-driven that not only satisfies the internal and external customer, mission partners and most of all the contracting community but conforms to the changing of times,” she added.
To date, the general has recognized about 100 change agents since becoming commander in May 2018. (AFICA’s Sylvia Becker contributed to this report)