JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The director of resources for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center since December 2022, Melissa Blakesly and her team manage the annual execution of more than $10 billion of combat and mission support funding for the Department of the Air Force.
Blakesly began her career in private industry before entering the federal civil service in 2008. As the principal advisor to the AFIMSC commander for all resourcing matters, she’s an important part of a mission that impacts Airmen, Guardians and families around the world.
Now that she has settled in to her role, we asked her a few questions about her life, career and thoughts about being a member of the AFIMSC team.
How long have you worked for the Air Force?
I’ve been with the Air Force for 14 years now.
Hometown?
Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation.
Can you please tell us a little about your career leading up to this point?
I had a career shift in 2008 and started with the Department of the Air Force as an acquisition cost analyst. I worked in acquisition in various capacities for about eight years before moving into a career broadening position through the Civilian Strategic Leadership Program with the Air Force Audit Agency.
I then did a legislative stint as the Air Force Office of Budget and Appropriations Liaison Deputy Director before going to National Defense University’s Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy. My most recent position was as the Pacific Air Forces Financial Management Associate Director.
What about your new role has you the most excited?
The people! I love developing people and opening doors to successful careers for them. I just spent two days crammed into a room with DAF financial management leadership talking about the careers of our civilians. It is a tremendous honor to serve them in that capacity.
I’m also excited about the breadth of the AFIMSC portfolio. My attention is constantly shifting from things like lodging rates to building security to infrastructure investment to military pay. The work our center does impacts every single Airman, Guardian and base. Our mission is truly impactful and that brings a lot of excitement and satisfaction with my role.
What do you want the AFIMSC team to know about you?
I like to have fun! Stop by my office for a Nerf gun fight or a game of bingo. I might even shoot a $100 bill out of my money gun!
What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
I was a musicologist before my 2008 career shift. I was writing my dissertation on French operas composed by women when I had a moment of self-reflection and re-vectored my career into public service.
What do you like most about working for the Air Force?
Serving the mission! Globally, we are the premiere Air Force. We’re all part of this amazing agency and we do the coolest stuff. Every day, I learn something new, different and exciting.
Is there anything you would like to add?
My two core values are passion and curiosity. I bring a level of energy and excitement wherever I can, and I love to learn. I like to ask “why?” a lot and look at new ways of doing things.
To learn more about Blakesly’s career, read her official biography at https://www.afimsc.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3415433/melissa-d-blakesly/.