July 2004 Newsletter



President's Message

By Stephen Bagby

President, ASMC Washington Chapter

Greetings and welcome to the July luncheon!

On behalf of all of the Chapter’s newly installed officers, I would like to thank everyone for their support of the chapter and all its many & varied activities. We count on each and every one of you to help us ensure that our chapter continues on with the fine traditions of success this great professional organization has established over the years. Through the leadership of last year’s officers, committee chairs and the hard work of Chapter members, the ASMC Washington Chapter is in great shape. We earned five awards at the PDI 2004 in Cleveland. They included: the coveted Five Star Chapter Award, Chapter Competition, Chapter Newsletter, and Community Service. In addition, Grant Thornton was selected as the ASMC corporate member of the year.

The June golf tournament was a big success. Sixty golfers braved the Andrews Air Force Base Golf Club’s West Course in the Annual ASMC / AGA Washington Chapters Golf Tournament. The charity event raised well over $4,000 for the ASMC Washington Chapters’ Scholarship Funds.  Special thanks are due to Craig Silcox for coordinating the golf outing.

As we move into this new ASMC year, my goal is to continue the Chapter’s solid record of accomplishments. To do this, I would like to focus on:

Maintaining Five Star Chapter Award status, continue to give so generously through community service, increase CDFM preparation activities & the number of CDFM’s in our chapter, sponsor the mini PDI, continue our corporate partnerships and increase attendance at our luncheons.

I look forward to meeting and talking with each of you, getting your ideas on anything that would

contribute to the further enhancement of our chapter, and advancement of the profession of military comptrollership in general. I challenge each of you to be active members by volunteering when the call comes for help in future chapter ventures. It is truly a rewarding experience!

|Upcoming Events |

|Aug. 4, 2004 |Executive Board Meeting |

|Aug. 11, 2004 |ASMC Luncheon |

|Sept 1, 2004 |Executive Board Meeting |

|Sept. 8, 2004 |ASMC Luncheon |

July Luncheon Speaker

Mr. Darren Gomez

Chief of Staff

Office of the Chief Financial Office

General Services Administration

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Darren Gomez served in the United States Navy for eight years. Having spent a total of 18 years working for the Department of Defense, Mr. Gomez made a career change and went to the General Service Administration in January 2001. Initially Darren served as the Marketing Director for GM&A Enterprise, however for the past two years Darren has served as the Chief of Staff for the Chief Financial Officer for GSA. During his tenure at DFAS, Darren discovered his passion for public speaking. For three consecutive years Darren’s presentation on Customer Service was rated as the #1 government presentation at the National ASMC PDI.

CHAPTER NEWS

The following chapter members completed the Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Exams last month:

|Theresa M Agnello |Catherine D Kropf |

|Janet S Bernhardt |Jan D Levit |

|Douglas Carletus Bonner |Mary Ann Susan McAfee |

|Carmelo M Borges |Reinaldo Morales |

|Donell Brown |Sidney H Pennington |

|Harry T Chelpon |Kimberly Noel Prendergast |

|Robert James Conley |Joel Thomas Ridenour |

|Blane Orlan Cox |Ross Gordon Rosengren |

|Julie Anne Delay |Joseph Kenneth Schreier |

|Derald E Emory |Vincent Paul Sipple |

|Robert Paul Frizzell |Elsie Fualaau Steffany |

|Cindy Ann Fuller |Michael Brandon Tatum |

|Kathleen Anne Groat |Katherine Jane Teter |

|Judith Ann Guenther |Jacki Lynn Warren |

|Jason Christopher Kobylski |Christine M Wasdin |

Congratulations to these members for their effort and dedication.

Additional kudos to:

The Navy wishes to recognize Ms. Maggie Maguire. Ms. Maguire has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) and selected for the position of Executive Director/Deputy Comptroller (SEA 01B), which was effective 16 May 2004.

Congratulations to Audrea M. Nelson, CDFM,

ASA(FM&C) Financial Operations on acceptance to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) for Class of 2005.

Congratulations to Ronald H. Jones, ASA(FM&C) Financial Operations on acceptance to the Army War College for Class of 2005.

Donna Busbin received a Masters degree in National Resource Strategy from Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University.

On July 15, 2004, Mr. Jonathan Witter, Office of Accounting and Finance Policy, ODCFO, was inducted into the Senior Executive Service as the Associate Director, Performance and Accountability Reporting.

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Business Management Modernization Program (BMMP)

By Ms. Elizabeth A. McGrath,

Deputy Director, Business Modernization & Systems Integration

In July 2001, the Secretary of Defense established the Business Management Modernization Program (BMMP) to transform the extremely complex ways in which the Department manages its business processes and systems. The overall purpose of the program is to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of all business processes—financial, logistical, personnel, procurement—that support and equip the Armed Forces of the United States.

The more than 4,000 business systems that currently comprise the complex support system of the Department of Defense have grown from necessity, rather than design. Individually, they accomplish the tasks that made them necessary. The unprecedented transformation that is now underway is intended to connect, simplify, and streamline those systems into a system of systems that is well integrated and designed to meet the business needs of the Department.

This purpose is worthy in itself, but it becomes doubly important in light of the ongoing Global War on Terrorism. Solid support to America’s warfighters abroad depends in part on maintaining sound business practices at home.

The vision guiding that steady progress has been to manage support operations efficiently; to deliver resources where they are urgently needed using the most effective business processes; and to provide timely, accurate, reliable financial information, affirmed by unqualified audit opinions, to decision makers at all levels of DoD.

Overhauling the Department’s business and financial management processes and systems represents a major management challenge that goes far beyond financial accounting. DoD’s strategy of transformation consists of:

• a Business Enterprise Architecture that reflects streamlined processes and enables integration of systems;

• a Department-wide governance process that describes how and by whom business transformation will be implemented;

• a Transition Plan that depicts the migration strategy from our legacy systems environment to the new mix of systems needed to reach our transformed state;

• an incremental approach to reengineer the Department’s business processes;

• maximization of commercial-based solutions; and

• visibility of data enterprise-wide.

Further, the foundation for effective and timely management of Information Technology (IT) investment lies with system certification and approval. Federal law requires USD(C) to review and certify all business system investments or improvements greater than $1 million at each milestone in the acquisition process.

Successful transformation will require the active participation and support of all DoD components (Military Departments, Defense Agencies, and DoD Field Activities).

This transformation is as complex and difficult as any challenge the Department has faced. What is at stake is nothing less than the future quality and cost of DoD management of its hundreds of billions of dollars in assets, liabilities, and appropriations. Transformation is absolutely crucial to DoD’s ability to enhance America’s national security in this era of terrorism and uncertainty, where the speed, accuracy, interoperability, reliability, and dependability of our information resources are critical. With the help of everyone involved, we can do more than just imagine the future.

To learn more about the BMMP, visit our website at

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Transformation Requires Business, Military Cultural Changes

By Gerry J. Gilmore

American Forces Press Service

(May 14, 2004) - Private-sector information technology providers and military leaders will need to change the way they think and do business if transformation of the force is to be truly successful, a senior U.S. official noted here.

DoD's future calls for integrated computerized information systems that instantly connect commanders with troops on the battlefield, Michael Wynne, acting undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, noted May 13 at the annual TechNet information technology conference.

While "the vision for tomorrow is a thoroughly integrated, horizontal battlefield," Wynne pointed out to attendees, "the systems and systems engineering is not quite there yet to allow us to do that stuff."

One roadblock to information transformation across the military could involve developing overly sophisticated, redundant -- and expensive -- systems that drain defense funds, Wynne explained.

Another concern, he noted, is that software-dominated projects crucial to information transformation efforts are routinely managed poorly.

"Where are the systems engineers and the discipline of tools first and products second?" he asked. "Where is it written that software manufacturers do it right the first time and need no discipline and no help?"

Wynne noted that software makers perhaps are inspired to get their products to market as soon as possible, but such practice could leave DoD with glitch- filled equipment. The upcoming Joint Strike Fighter and F/A-22 Raptor, he noted, require tens of millions of lines of software code.

"Frankly, the standard rules of (software) configuration control, requirements flow-down, and agreed-to content just aren't being enforced," Wynne observed.

Another issue involves brainpower, he pointed out. Although the United States currently enjoys an advantage in information technology, he noted that "we're losing engineering and technical talent" to overseas firms.

Foreign-born graduates of U.S. engineering schools, he said, are "returning to their home countries" instead of taking employment with American firms or research and development centers. This is happening, Wynne noted, because some engineers find it more exciting to work for overseas firms with fewer rules and regulations than U. S. technology companies.

Also, he noted, information technology "quality is rampant" in India, Singapore and Japan.

Wynne compared what is now happening in the U.S. information technology industry with what had occurred in the late 1970s and 1980s when American automobile manufacturers lost market share partly due to poor vehicle quality.

It's now time for the U.S. information technology to "wake up," he asserted.

Another critical element needed to effect military transformation "is changing the culture of power over information," Wynne observed.

"It is no longer enough that the flag officers and their staff have access to the knowledge we now gather," he said, noting information "needs to be routinely made available, useful and transferable among squad leaders, helicopter pilots (and) special operations team members as well."

And that information, he emphasized, "must be accurate, comprehensive, integrated, networked, common-to-all, unambiguous, consistent and reliable."

Altarum Welcomes New Role as ASMC-Washington Chapter Sponsor

By Ms. Benita Bottom,

Business Development Manager

As a sponsor of ASMC -Washington, Altarum Institute's Enterprise Solutions Division (ESD) is looking forward to actively supporting programs and activities in 2004-2005.

As a non-profit research and innovation organization our mission is to serve society and government. The opportunity to exchange dialogue with ASMC's government and industry members focused on supporting and improving financial management within government is relevant to Altarum's mission.

Today Altarum's ESD organization is assisting our government clients in areas that provide the greatest leverage in transforming their organizations: program management, complex analysis and

cross-organizational change management. Presently we are working with a number of DoD clients including the Defense Logistics Business Systems Modernization, OSD Business Management Modernization Program, and DoD acquisition systems including the Standard Procurement System. Altarum has regional offices in Alexandria and San Antonio with headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

2004-2005 Chapter Officers

|Name |Title |E-Mail |Phone |

|Mr. Stephen Bagby |President |Steve.bagby@hqda.army.mil |(703) 692-1722 |

|Mr. Stephen Pawlow |Secretary |Stephen.pawlow@us.army.mil |(703) 601-4441/4162 |

|Mr. Jerry Bogle |Treasurer |Jerry.bogle@hqda.army.mil |(703) 692-5913 |

|Ms. Elizabeth McGrath |Vice President – OSD |Elizabeth.mcgrath@osd.mil |(703) 607-3370 |

|Ms. Lucy Williams |Assistant Secretary – OSD |Lucy.williams@osd.mil |(703) 697-1101 ext. 115 |

|Mr. Nick Gaglio |Vice President – DFAS |Nicholas.gaglio@dfas.mil |(703) 607-2857 |

|Ms. Susan Eldridge |Assistant Secretary – DFAS |Susan.eldridge@dfas.mil |(703) 607-5007 |

|Mr. Jim Anderholm |Vice President – Army |Jim.anderholm@hqda.army.mil |(703) 692-4982 |

|Ms. Mary Williams |Assistant Secretary – Army |Mary.R.Williams@hqda.army.mil |(703) 693-2818 |

|Ms. Ednora Armour-Ohanmu |Vice President – Navy |Ednora.armour-ohanmu@navy.mil |(703) 614-2768 |

|Ms. Brenda LaFleur |Assistant Secretary – Navy |lafleurbl@navsea.navy.mil |(202) 781-2109 |

|Ms. Sandra Wright |Vice President – Marine Corps |wrights@hqmc.usmc.mil |(703) 692-5752 |

|Capt Elroy Black |Assistant Secretary – Marine Corps |Elroy.black@dfas.mil | |

|Name |Title |E-Mail |Phone |

|Ms. Tory L. Weaver |Vice President – Air Force |Tory.weaver@pentagon.af.mil |(703) 697-9784 |

|Major Lasheeco Graham |Assistant Secretary – Air Force |Lasheeco.graham@js.pentagon.mil |(703) 697-9784 |

|Mr. Warren Cottingham |Vice President – Coast Guard |wcottingham@comdt.uscg.mil |(202) 267-4688 |

|LCDR John Imahori |Assistant Secretary – Coast Guard |jimahori@comdt.uscg.mil |(202) 267-6679 |

|Mr. Craig Silcox |Vice President – Corporate/Retiree |csilcox@ |(202) 533-4296 |

|Mr. Brain J. Boshart |Assistant Secretary – Corporate/Retiree |Brian.boshart@ |(703) 813-1900 ext. 7398 |

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July 2004

Mr. Lawrence Lanzillotta, the acting Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) since April 16, 2004, departed for a position with Northrop Grumman on July 16, 2004. Mr. Ken Kreig will serve as the acting Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).

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P.O. Box 16237

July 2004 Arlington, VA 22215

ASMC Washington Chapter

The speaker for the August luncheon will be

Mr. Dan Porter

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