Program management trainees complete comprehensive program

  • Published
  • By Maj. Renee Little
  • ESC Acquisition Center of Excellence
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Three new trainees have just completed the Hanscom Program Management Trainee Program. 

Sarah Ridolfi, Ann Choi, and Jason Friess all finished the program, which generally takes two to three years to complete, this summer. 

The training program provides junior civilians numerous opportunities to receive formal and informal training and hands-on experiences to become successful program managers and future Electronic Systems Center leaders, said Sue Angell, director of ESC's Acquisition Center of Excellence. 

Although each trainee experienced different programs and aspects of acquisition, the three graduates agree that the trainee program provides a terrific approach to gaining sufficient skills and experiences to manage the many possible stages of an acquisition program. 

"The trainee program here at Hanscom AFB is well-structured and well-managed," said Ms. Ridolfi. "The team running the program is amazingly responsive to the needs of the trainees and truly has a genuine interest in each of us." 

In order to expose the trainees to different aspects of an acquisition program, ESC rotates them to different wings or squadrons after one year. 

"The yearly transfer to a different program office keeps things fresh and exciting and provides a breadth of experience unmatched by remaining in the same office," said Mr. Friess. 

All three recent graduates said they would enthusiastically recommend the program to others. 

"I didn't graduate the trainee program knowing everything about acquisition, but I did gain a great amount of knowledge and confidence," said Ms. Choi. "I worked with a lot of great people, interesting people, and smart people along the way. They taught me so much and allowed me to gain a new perspective of the acquisition world." 

The Acquisition Center of Excellence looks forward to ongoing interaction with this very talented group of program managers as they continue to mature in their PM Career Field and "reach new heights," Ms. Angell said. "Congratulations again, and keep up the great work."