General Bowlds presents his top priorities during off-site

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Hanscom AFB, Mass. --  Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds unveiled his five leadership priorities in front of ESC's leaders during an off-site meeting at the Southbridge, Mass. Conference Center March 27-28.

The off-site, attended by ESC wing commanders, directors and deputies as well as functional organization leaders, also focused on the center's revamped Balanced Scorecard, the roles of functional and wing leaders, and civilian recruiting efforts.

""I've been here a bit over six months now observing how ESC operates, and I wanted the opportunity to have a frank discussion with my leaders about things I like, and areas where I believe change is necessary," General Bowlds said in explaining the off-site. "I also wanted the opportunity to share and discuss my priorities with them in an environment where we wouldn't be disturbed. Discussing the future of the center is vital, and I intend to bring my 'board of directors' together routinely to do so."

The general's first priority, "Run ESC as an Enterprise," entails an organization-wide approach to managing the center and its resources. The general wants to prioritize all of the center's 322 programs to see "the complete story," and allocate people, facilities and funding to the organization's highest priority programs. Using forums such as the Human Capital Board, the general wants to ensure the highest priority programs receive the support necessary to succeed.

"We need to make decisions that are best for the enterprise, and shift our resources accordingly," he said.

Telling his leaders he wants ESC program managers to "hit the road and be visible," the general said, "Interaction - Partnership with the Customer," is his second priority. In explaining this, General Bowlds said he wants ESC people to build strong relationships with the center's customers through better communication. "We need more talk back and forth with our customers," he said. "Better communication will lead to a clearer understanding of the user's requirements on our part, and a better understanding of the acquisition challenges we face," he said.

General Bowlds' third priority, "Support AFMC's One Materiel Command," reinforces AFMC Commander Gen. Bruce Carlson's "One Materiel Command" initiative encouraging an enterprise perspective across product centers, test centers and laboratories. "We do a lot of great things in the command," said General Carlson. "But we're not there yet as far as being a complete team across the enterprise. To get there, our work force needs to understand that we cannot keep operating as separate communities but must instead operate as 'One Materiel Command'."

Recognizing that people are the organization's most valuable resource, the general made "Take Care of the ESC Family," his fourth priority. "Whether by ensuring a safe workplace through the Voluntary Protection Program, watching out for people while serving as each other's Wingman, or taking care of our deployed military members and their families, we must take care of each other as a community if we are to succeed," General Bowlds said.

"Make This a Fun Place to Work," is the general's final priority. "Our jobs are important, they're tough, and we ask a lot of our people," General Bowlds said. "But, we need to be respectful of people's time. We need to allow them time to live a balanced life of work and family."