JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Brig. Gen. William Kale took command of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, headquartered in San Antonio, Aug. 8 during a change of command ceremony officiated by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center commander.
One of four AFIMSC primary subordinate units, AFCEC is responsible for providing responsive, flexible full-spectrum installation engineering services to include facility investment planning, design and construction, operations support, real property management and oversight, energy support, environmental compliance and restoration, and readiness and emergency management.
As commander, Kale directs the day-to-day operations of the 2,200-person center at more than 72 locations worldwide and oversees execution of the $3.4 billion annual operations budget, delivery of the $3 billion annual military construction program and $13 billion military housing portfolio.
We asked the general a few questions about his life, his career and his thoughts on joining the AFIMSC team.
Time in service?
One score and seven years (27)
Hometown?
Planet Earth – my father was in the U.S. Army, I was influenced by his experiences (and learned from his mistake – haha!) so I joined the Air Force. I learned a lot living on Army posts so I highly respect Soldiers, their values and work ethic. I have lived in 22 homes in 10 different states and four different countries. I spent my high school years in New Jersey and went to college at Pennsylvania State University.
Can you tell us a little about your career leading up to this point?
I have had the honor of commanding at the squadron, group and wing levels. I served at Pacific Air Forces, Air Staff and the Joint Staff. I also had the unique opportunity to work in a congressman’s office and lead the Air Force Legislative Liaison House of Representatives Office.
What about your new role has you the most excited?
I am looking forward to returning to the world of delivery and execution with a world-class team. I seek to empower our Airmen engineers to support installations and overcome challenges with increasing workloads and changing environments.
What do you want the AFIMSC team to know about you?
I make the most out of every assignment and I’ve loved all of them. I work hard and play hard ... I focus on my obligations and responsibilities to the team ... I meet new people, experience the local culture and have a lot of fun!
What do you like most about working for the Air Force?
I have most appreciated seeing Airmen -- both military and civilian -- who worked for me succeed. I especially enjoy seeing leaders develop and taking higher positions where they can hopefully learn from our previous shared experiences (and my mistakes). One of the most important responsibilities we have as leaders is developing new leaders so I take this pretty seriously.
What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
The best leadership lesson I ever received (and it cost me nothing) was from Coach Joe Paterno. I bumped into him after an ROTC leadership lab and I wished him luck next year because everybody knew our football team was going to go undefeated (and they did). He then spent the next 45 minutes teaching me that life is about hard work then you might get lucky! Wake up early, work out, eat right, attend class, show up early, study hard, practice perfection, treat others with respect, go to bed early then repeat this every day. He could have easily just walked by me and said thank you but he chose to invest time with me and take the effort to make me a better person. I have never forgotten that and try to share his lessons whenever I can.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Go Penn State!