WWW.NPMA.ORG ISSN-1072-2858

04.2020VOL 32 ISSUE 2

PROPERTYP R O F E S S I O N A L

T H E

IN THIS ISSUE

A Property Professional's Journey

My Property Journey thus Far

An Odyssey to Asset Management Expertise

My Property Experiences

My Professional Development

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTA WORD OR TWOFROM OUR EDITORS

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Entire contents © Copyright 2020 by the National Property Management Association, Inc. All

rights reserved. Reproduction of the contents of The Property Professional in whole or in part by photocopying, entry into a data retrieval system or any other means is strictly forbidden.

The Property Professional is published bimonthly by the National Property Management Association, Inc. and is mailed third class. The articles, opinions and ideas expressed by the

authors are the sole responsibility of the contributors and do not imply an opinion on the part

of the officers or members of NPMA. Readers are advised that NPMA is not responsible in

any way, manner or form for these articles, opinions and ideas. Readers are urged to exercise

professional caution in undertaking any of the recommendations or suggestions made by

the authors. The NPMA magazine welcomes and encourages contributions and suggestions

from its readers. Editorial policy dictates the right to edit or reject any material submitted for

publication. Advertising rates will be quoted upon request. Contact the National Office for

information at 404-477-5811.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices to Membership Coordinator, National Office -

NPMA, 3525 Piedmont Rd., Building 5, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305. Phone: 404-477-5811;

Fax: 404-240-0998. The Property Professional subscription is included in the NPMA member’s annual dues. Non-member subscription rate is $35/year.

SPECIAL FEATURES

14 My Property Journey Thus Far BY SCOTT PETERSEN, CPPM, CF, DENVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER

18 An Odyssey to Asset Management Expertise BY TOBY V. BELL, CPPM, FEDERAL CENTER CHAPTER

22 My Professional Development BY BILLIE JO PERCHLA, CPPM, CF, NORTHWEST CHAPTER

26 My Property Experiences BY KEITH C. RECORD, CPPM, GREAT SALT LAKE CHAPTER

REGULAR FEATURES

04 National President’s Column05 Editor’s Column25 Connection Corner

28 Ask The Expert 29 Member Forum

INDUSTRY CHATTER

06 White House Floats 1% Pay Raise for Civilian Feds in 2021 Budget

07 Pentagon Finalizes CMMC Standard for Contractors21 UNIPAC Increases Inventory Accuracy to 98 Percent via RFID

27 Breaking: Report Finds U.S. Defense Industrial Base in Decline

EDUCATION AND AWARDS

30 May-July Course Schedule

ADVERTISERS

02 AssetSmart06 GP Consultants07 ASTM International 07 KBR13 NPMA 50th Year Regional Shirts17 National Education Seminar29 Federal Fleet Certification 36 Sunflower Systems

A Property Professional's Journey08

V O L 3 2 I S S U E 2

C O N T E N T S

BY DR. DOUGLAS N. GOETZ, CPPM, CF, MIAM, OHIO VALLEY CHAPTER

S O C I A L facebook.com/groups/NPMAAssetManagement linkedin.com/groups/NPMA-1676387 NPMA Asset Management channel

4 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

“Nothing remains constant except change itself” I heard this quote while listening to the radio on the way to work a few years ago, I wrote it

down and have it on my desk. I look at it frequently because it has proven time and again to be true. Just when we think everything is in rhythm and our lives are working like a well-oiled machine change happens, the rhythm is lost, and we are back to be our rusty selves. However, we know how to recover and keep moving forward because change has always been part of our existence.

By now all members of the NPMA should be aware of the change that took place within the Executive Board in February. Brandon Kriner stepped down as President and per the NPMA Bylaws the Executive Vice President fills that position and its responsibilities, so I am assuming that role. I would like to take a moment to thank Brandon for his time on the board and his very important role in taking the NPMA forward. Our foundation is strong both in membership programs and numbers, and financially we are in a very good position for the future. We on the Board will continue to work together with the membership to build upon that foundation as we look at future opportunities for the NPMA.

As this column is being written, we have completed Fleet Management Awareness Month (FMAM) and are deep into the planning of Asset Management Awareness Month (AMAM). I am hoping that many of you took part in the offered webinars and other activities that made up AMAM. I have no doubt it was successful.

Don’t forget to plan for one, or all, of the NPMA educational seminars. Though we had to cancel the Spring Educational Seminar (SES) planning, our flagship National Education Seminar (NES) is August 24th through 27th in Dallas is moving forward. NPMA will be celebrating our 50th anniversary – you will want to be there! The Fall Educational Seminar (FES) is in November in Portland, Oregon. We have you covered across the country. Let’s all plan to meet at one of these seminars to enhance our knowledge, network, and make new friends.

As stated above change is constant. Sometimes we know it is going to happen and other times it sneaks up on us. Either way it is there and must be recognized. As we embrace the recent changes to the board and move forward, let's all acknowledge the great organization that the NPMA is and commit to supporting our profession forward into the future.

Nothing

remains

constant

except

change

itself"

‘‘

NATIONAL PRESIDENT BILL FRANKLIN, CPPM

EMBRACE THECHANGE

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From flying cars, to teleportation, to living long enough to live forever, there are many reasons we like looking forward to the future. In movies, we journey with the protagonist on a trip beyond ourselves, vicariously living with foresight (Next – Nicolas Cage), precognition (Minority Report – Tom Cruise), and even learning what it is like to be BIG (Tom Hanks). H. G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, and Gene Rodenberry have taken us to space and time far beyond where our own imagination could. With every New Year, we make goals, resolutions, and even vision boards of who we would like to become, or what we would like to achieve – in the future.

Once we determine to become better, we must first know where and who we are at this moment in time. We do the same with our property systems by conducting self-analyses to identify what areas need improvement to reach a desired level of compliance, control, and ultimately success.

In his 1843 journal, the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said this about understanding our life process:

It is perfectly true, as the philosophers say, that life must be understood backwards. But they forget the other proposition, that it must be lived forwards.

Without personal and professional self-analysis, we miss opportunities to become better than we were yesterday. Hindsight is 20/20, but we have to actually take a look for that to be valid. Looking back at where we came from and what we had to do to get where we are, will give us the assembling of thought that provides us a stronger foundation – a waypoint if you will – to step off into our new, improved direction. Everything done before this morning has been preparation for today.

Now that we know ourselves, and we know the way we want to go, we need to rely on those that have gone before and experienced things we have not. And better yet, things that we have already experienced, but would benefit from a different perspective.

The National Property Management Association is your connection to the breadth and depth of awareness in all property accountability, and The Property Professional Magazine gives you access to the cooperative perspectives advantageous in your efforts to learn, grow, and educate as a property professional.

If you don’t find what you need in this specific edition, there is a wealth of property experience at your fingertips on the NPMA website under Publications and Archived Materials. With this year marking the NPMA’s 50th Anniversary, there is undoubtedly a wealth of knowledge for you to explore.

From your National Editor: For this issue I am grateful to the editors, who stepped in and wrote articles when our bank of articles we pull from was limited. The end result is a very interesting issue on the ‘Professional Development’ of five outstanding role models. Each is unique in its substance but equally noteworthy. I hope you enjoy this issue. In order to grow our bank of articles for future issues, I strongly encourage you to write for The Property Professional for others to learn of your expertise and insights in the Property Management industry.

We present issue 32-2 of your magazine.

FORWARDTHINKING

CENTRAL REGION EDITOR SCOTT PETERSEN, CPPM, CF

C O N T A C T U S

NPMA NATIONAL OFFICE

3525 Piedmont Rd, Building 5, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30305 Tel: 404-477-5811 Fax: 404-240-0998

NPMA NATIONAL OFFICE STAFF

ME! PROGRAM MANAGER: Jennifer (Jen) Sanford jsanford@meetingexpectations.comEDUCATION/MEMBERSHIP SENIOR COORDINATOR: Carly Loomis membership@npma.orgCERTIFICATION SPECIALIST: Heather Duff certification@npma.orgASSOCIATION MANAGER: Lisa Williams conferences@npma.org FLEET CERTIFICATION MANAGER: Rebecca Clusserath fleet@npma.orgART DIRECTOR: Dimitri Papadimitriou dimitri@meetingexpectations.com

THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL EDITORIAL TEAM

NATIONAL EDITOR: Billie Jo Perchla, CPPM, CF bjperchla@yahoo.comMANAGING EDITOR: Keith Record, CPPMkeith.c.record@L3Harris.comEDITOR EMERITUS: Dr. Douglas Goetz, CPPM, CF dgoetz@att.netCENTRAL REGION EDITOR: Scott Petersen, CPPM, CF scott.w.petersen@raytheon.comEASTERN REGION EDITOR: Toby V. Bell, CPPM toby.bell@hotmail.comWESTERN REGION EDITOR: Glenda Steffenhagen-Poole, CPPM, CF gsteffenhagen@gmail.com

NPMA EXECUTIVE BOARD

NATIONAL PRESIDENT: Bill Franklin, CPPMEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT: VacantIMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Cinda Brockman, CPPM, CFVICE PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION: Jessica Dzara, CPPM, CFVICE PRESIDENT CERTIFICATION: Cathy Seltzer, CPPM, CFVICE PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING: Kimberly Saeger, CPPMVICE PRESIDENT FINANCE: Bob Kaehler, CPPSVICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP: Ivonne Bachar, CPPM, CFVICE PRESIDENT PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES: Loril Stephens, CPPM, CFVICE PRESIDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Tara Miller, CPPM, CFVICE PRESIDENT CENTRAL REGION: Ken Black, CPPM, CFVICE PRESIDENT EASTERN REGION: Wes Carter, CPPM, CFVICE PRESIDENT WESTERN REGION: Amanda Jensen, CPPM

NATIONAL DIRECTORS

AWARDS PROGRAM AND COMMUNICATIONS: Brian Thompson, CPPM, CFCERTIFICATION: VACANTCERTIFICATION GOVERNING BOARD CHAIR: Rosanne "Beth" Green, CPPM, CFCOMMUNICATIONS - MARKETING: Scott Ray, CPPMCOUNCIL OF FELLOWS CHAIR: Donna King, CPPM, CFFOUNDATION ADMINISTRATOR: Patricia Jacklets, CPPM, CF MARKETING - ASSET MANAGEMENT AWARENESS: Danielle Lyons, CPPS MARKETING - SOCIAL MEDIA: Angel Rosario MEMBERSHIP - CHAPTER SUPPORT: Kim Kaehler, CPPAMEMBERSHIP - COMMUNICATIONS: Colton Clemmer, CPPSMEMBERSHIP - GROUP MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH: Mike Puryear, CPPM, CFMEMBERSHIP - MEDIA: Scott Petersen, CPPM, CF

6 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

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Dr. Douglas N. Goetz, CPPM CF

The White House is proposing a 1% raise for federal employees in the 2021 budget while also increasing retirement contribution requirements.

The budget proposal also offers to "[increase] funds available for on-the-spot and ratings-based performance awards."

The rationale for providing a lower pay raise this year, according to the budget proposal, was "to make pay more flexible and performance-based, since across-the-board pay increases have long-term fixed costs and fail to address existing pay disparities or to target mission-critical recruitment and retention goals."

The workforce section of the budget also envisions the federal civilian workforce declining by about 30,000 in fiscal year 2021, from 2.2 million to about 2.17 million.

The full article can be seen at https://fcw.com/articles/2020/02/10/workforce-one-percent-raise-budget.aspx

WHITE HOUSE FLOATS 1% PAY RAISE FOR CIVILIAN FEDS IN 2021 BUDGET

By Lia Russell

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The Pentagon on Jan 31 released the official version 1.0 of its unified cybersecurity standard that all contractors must meet by 2026.

The standard, called the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), will apply to any company that does business with the Department of Defense, from weapons contractors protecting highly classified intellectual property to landscaping firms that service DOD installations. CMMC will apply to subcontractors as well as primes.

Once up and running, companies will be able to apply for certification through a marketplace portal run by the accrediting body, Arrington said. The CMMC certification will be good for three years; with it, companies will be able to bid on contracts across DOD and the military services.

The DOD acquisition officials said they would share the guidance as it's being developed, but CyberVista's Petrella suggested companies should start figuring out whether they have the right personnel as soon as possible.

The full article can be seen at https://fcw.com/articles/2020/01/31/dod-releases-cmmc-standards.aspx

PENTAGON FINALIZES CMMC STANDARD FOR CONTRACTORS

By Lauren C. Williams

•

• •

• • • •

DEFENSE SPACE INTEL TECHNOLOGY

GAM_NPMA_r2.indd 1 10/25/2019 12:07:50 PM

www.astm.org/ COMMITTEE/E53

Committee E53Standard Practices for Asset ManagementJoin industry experts in developing Asset Management Standards!

BY DR. DOUGLAS N. GOETZ, CPPM, CF, MIAMOHIO VALLEY CHAPTER

JOURNEY

A PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL'S

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So, while walking down a snowy street in Denver, Colorado with Brandon Kriner and Bob Koop on our way to dinner after the Spring Education Seminar in 2019, we got to talking. Entry into our careers came up as a topic and Brandon said he would be interested in hearing my story. I discounted that idea. But just this week I received an email from Billie Perchla, our National Editor of The Property Professional, and in it she was encouraging the Regional Editors to write about THEIR story. Trigger my response – an article as to how all of this started – and will be ending. I never intended to enter the world of Property and Asset Management. Like many of you, I sorta’ stumbled into it. Maybe was “PUSHED” is a better statement.

COLLEGE I went to college in 1971 earning a BA and an MA from

Hunter College of the City University of New York. Trust me – my degrees were NOT in Property or Asset Management. And our “Guidance Counselor” at Hunter told all of us to take the Professional and Administrative Career Exam (PACE) – regardless of our major. Being the obedient student – I did! And then promptly forgot all about it!

Fast forward to 1977 – well, my degrees did not pan out – and my girlfriend at that time said I should look elsewhere – and I got my first Federal Job. I was a Park Ranger in the National Park Service working at the Statue of Liberty. It was a temporary gig, but hey, it put some money in my pocket, and lead me to propose to my then girlfriend at the top of the Statue – but THAT is a whole ‘nother story.i

DCASMA – THE FIRST CAREER CHANGEThat job ended and I was back working nights and weekends

at my college major – and there was some rule about a vow of poverty – so that work, though quite enjoyable, wasn’t paying the bills! And out of the clear blue sky – I received a letter asking if I was interested in interviewing for an Industrial Property Management Specialist (GS-1103) job with the Defense Contract Administration Services Management Area, New York. I interviewed for the Job – and they actually hired me. In my opinion, that was not too bright, as I had NO Experience in this field. OH well, it was a permanent job and the pay was better (MUCH BETTER) than I was earning in my other career.ii

I was lucky. Really, I was blessed by the Good Lord. A Door opened that I NEVER would have considered on my own. I had the opportunity to work with some AMAZING, KNOWLEDGEABLE people! And THAT simple test and letter and interview was how I got into Defense Contract Property Management!

Nick DeCesare was the Department Head, Vinnie Carnevale was the Property Administrator (PA) responsible for my training, Phil Marigliano – another PA responsible for another trainee, Lloyd Peckerman. I met and worked with Nelson Cahill – with whom I am still in contact with on Facebook. And a few others in the office – Ray Owens, Catherine Quaye, Al Brenner, and the administrative staff whom I remember by their faces – but their names escape me after all these years! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE HAD AN INFLUENCE ON MY WORK

AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Since I did not know ANYTHING about what I was doing, I had to learn everything I could from these folks as my mentors. Some really good stuff, some really… OK, we’ll forget about that part! And I worked with some great contractors – in fact, there was this skinny kid working in the tool crib at a company where I was the auditing PA. That “kid” was named Tom Ruckdaschel and forty years later he also has a great story to tell as to his journey as a Property Professional!iii

I was required to take education and training courses either through the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio or the Army Logistics Management College (ALMC) at Ft. Lee, Virginia. I took:

• The Basic Property course, PPM 151 – with Dr. Bill Pursch and Ken Hughes.

• The Advanced Course, PPM 300 – with Dr. Pursch in Boulder Coloradoiv

• Property Disposal down at Ft. Lee, VA• And numerous Contracting Courses at various locationsI started as an IPMS and worked my way up to having a

Warrant, really a certificate of appointment, as a Property Administrator (PA) in DCASMA. By 1984, though I had a good handle on what I was doing, I believed there was more I could do. I figured further schooling and education was the route to moving upward in the business world. In January of 1984, I started a Doctoral Program at Columbia University – which I continued until the Fall of 1984.

AFIT – THE SECOND CAREER CHANGEAnd then, in the Fall of 1984, I received a call from Dr. Bill

Pursch. Dr. Pursch had been my instructor for a number of courses – and liked my presentation style from these classes. He wanted to know if I was interested in becoming an instructor at AFIT. In today’s vernacular – OMG!!! ABSOLUTELY!!! Went to WPAFB, Ohio for the interview – and then waited – FINALLY, getting a call that I was to be hired as an instructor. I moved to WPAFB on December 21, 1984, my family followed on December 23, 1984, and we celebrated Christmas alone – no other family or friends. We had embarked on a new Journey to a new life. I mentioned Dr. Bill Pursch, he was the department head of the Contract Management Department. I worked with Col. Richard Morse to start – he was the course director for the two Industrial Property courses at that time. He left and Dr. Pursch recognized the potential of another Property Administrator – Dr. John Paciorek! John was hired and we became THE Property team for the Property courses. It was there at AFIT that I met BRILLIANT PROFESSORS and SUPERB MANAGERS. All of whom I learned from – the Contracting Faculty of Dr. Rita Wells,v Alan Gilbreth, Billy Harry, and Greg Garrett. The Department Head – Dyke McCarty – a gentleman from whom I learned what it required to be a great manager. Our Law Faculty, John Garrett, Jim Gill, Mel Wiviott, Bob Wehrle-Einhorn and John Wyattvi... I made it a point to learn from all of them, picking their brains as the theoretical knowledge and applied knowledge and Legal knowledge! I had tons to learn – but I could do that!

10 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

TRAVELS WITH AFIT/DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD)

The DoD and AFIT sent me to teach and research all over the world: Hawaii, Guam, Europe, China, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey – too many places to name.vii And for some odd reason they kept sending me to war zones: the Balkans for multiple trips – meeting numerous property professionals and NPMA members overseas. Traveling with Janice Hawk, Deputy Director for Contract Property from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and Bob Gruber, the Procuring Contracting Officer on the LOGCAP contract at that time. Meeting Ty Hyppert and Lola Britton and Len Salazar and Jim Griffin and others. To Iraq for DCMA with Maria McNamara and Derick Urban – again meeting Ty and numerous contractor and DCMA Property Professionals. Why was this important? It provided me DEPTH AND BREADTH of knowledge – REAL WORLD APPLICATION ORIENTED KNOWLEDGE as to the management of Government property under a variety of situations and circumstances. My advice – take every opportunity to learn and grow and challenge yourself beyond what you think you can do. You might be surprised at the outcome!!!

PROJECTSThough teaching was the primary focus of our work – we

did work some other projects. Mr. Jim Kordes tasked AFIT to write a replacement for the Armed Services Procurement Regulation (ASPR) Supplement #3. It became known as the Manual for the Performance of Contract Property Management with the number DOD 4161.2-M (Known more affectionately as the Property Manual) – and it stood the test of time being used from 1990 to 2010, when it was replaced by the Guidebook. Writing the Manual with a GREAT TEAM was a wonderful learning experience – and I value the memory. The Government and Industry embraced that manual – and some folks even have copies today!viii Had I ever written a DoD Manual? No. Was it a challenge? Yes. From a career growth perspective, it was another opportunity to excel.

COURSESThere were originally two courses for the Industrial Property

Management Series – PPM 151and PPM300. Jim Kordes also saw the need for development of additional depth and breadth to the Property courses. And while there we developed these two courses into five courses: IND 101, 102, 103, 201 and 202.

Seven weeks of in-depth instruction for a DoD Employee to become a Property Administrator along with a goodly number of Contracting Courses. On a humorous note – Tom Ruckdaschel, a member of the NPMA who has held many positions with DoD, and Billie Perchla, also a member of the NPMA who is now the National Editor of The Property Professional, were both in one of the very first classes I ever taught! And becoming a good teacher was another challenge. One that I learned as much as I taught. To all of the students who have passed through these courses and helped me grow as a teacher and a professor – THANK YOU!!! So, in YOUR career

progression – have you thought about teaching to improve your skills?

START OF THE FAR REWRITEIn 1995 Ms. Eleanor Spector, Director of Defense Procurement,

prompted by Jim Kordes from the Office of Undersecretary of Defense, decided that a rewrite of FAR Part 45 and its associated clauses was needed. Now remember that year. We had a GREAT team. Myself, Jim Kordes, Marie Shea, Janice Hawk, Jean Marie Farris (Corbusiero), Bob Donatuti, Rachel Lily, and I have to admit as time has passed some names have faded from my memory. On May 15th, 2007, after more than a decade of efforts we finally had the new rule for the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 45 and its associated clauses. We went through multiple Presidents, Multiple Directors of Defense Procurement and their visions until 12 years after the start Tom Ruckdaschel got it through the numerous hurdles! And I can tell you now – some of the meetings were QUITE contentious – lots of “sturm and drang”ix trying to hammer out effective, efficient regulations is NOT for the faint of heart!

DAUThe Acquisition Career Enhancement (ACE) Program

started in the mid-1990s in an effort to create a more cohesive acquisition education program. Lead by Col Rocco McGurk and supported by Dr. Bob Hawkins and others – the end result lead to a merger of numerous Schools – AFIT, ALMC, NAMTO and others under the umbrella of DAU. So, I moved from AFIT to DAU in 2000. Now get this – on Friday I left my office and on Monday I returned to my office – same office, same desk, doing the same work – new organization. In this day of mergers and acquisitions I am sure MANY of you have done the same thing! So, I was a professor at DAU from 2000 until 2010. DAU was another Professional Challenge.

RETIREMENT – THE THIRD CAREER CHANGEWhich brings me to my departure from the Federal

Government. Sometimes leadership changes cause you to rethink where you are and where you are going. In 2010 I made another career choice. I wanted to start my own business – and left DAU. Talk about fear!!! Stepping out during some turbulent economic times can always cause one’s heart to skip a beat. Fortunately for me, DAU brought me back as an intermittent Professor – providing income while the business grew. In 2013 I finally decided to work with my business as a full-time effort.

GP CONSULTANTS LLC – ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGE

I started this little company GP Consultants LLC (The “G” stood for Government; the “P” stood for Property – get it?). Career Development?!?!? Was this a logical decision or an emotional one? I do not know – it was just something in my heart that I wanted to do – and the Good Lord once again was looking after this fool. One of my dear academic friends asked me, “Are you sure this is the right time to do this? Considering the economic collapse, we had just witnessed in 2007/8?”

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I always thought I was a good teacher and could explain the regulations clearly. I always thought I was a good writer having written numerous articles for the NPMA and other professional associations. And lastly, I thought from a consulting perspective I could help resolve problems or clarify issues when dealing with the regulations. And with those thoughts – I believed that everyone would come running to my door. Uhhhhh, it doesn’t work that way as I soon found out. Rather, setting up your own business requires an enormous amount of effort – Lawyers, Licensing with the State, Insurance, Printing, Advertising and more. All of these items impacted my professional competencies. I had to add additional skill sets that I had never dealt with before.

And I hope you have all noticed a trend here – that just when you think you know it all – you have to expand your depth and breadth of knowledge in areas which you had no inkling. I again thank the Good Lord, for little by little doors opened and the business grew. But there were people who helped me get there: Ms. Marie Shea worked with me for a number of years.x Ms. Grace Oletski worked with GP Consultants. And the newest member to the faculty – a Contracts person who embarked on a journey to learn about Government property – Prof. Chuck Waszczak. Chuck came over to the property side of the house while at DAU – volunteering to work with Dr. Paciorek and myself. I needed some help and upon his retirement from DAU he said he was available. How did this impact MY professional Development? By pushing the envelope in regard to CONTRACTS and their impact on Government property. His breadth of knowledge forced ME to learn even more!

NPMA – THE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONWhen I started as an IPMS with DCASMA I really did not

know anything about the NPMA. It appears my office in Manhattan was really not involved with the closest chapter – the Long Island Chapter. And then I got a call about a meeting on Long Island to be held at Koenig’s, a German restaurant. OK, food has ALWAYS been a motivator in my life – and since it was a good restaurant… hey, what could I lose. I didn’t join right away – but soon afterwards the NPMA became a part of my life. Ed Winters and Pat Jackletts were members then and there, and I count them as lifelong friends. Mike Sorvillo, Bob Esna, Ralph Skafflestad and numerous other NPMA members from that chapter influenced my career development.

After I moved to Ohio with AFIT, I taught the first NPMA course for the NPMA San Diego Chapter at the invitation of Bob McFarlandxi in 1986 – which could be viewed as the first formal class ever conducted by the NPMA – which has blossomed into the robust training courses we have under the NPMA banner

VP OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTSomehow, soon after joining the NPMA I fell into the Role

of VP of Professional Development. Another challenge in my professional growth! I had no idea what to do. But I learned! Attracting teachers, instructors – people who wanted to teach and more importantly SHARE their wisdom. Both within this

role and after this role I met brilliant teachers and property professionals. People like Joe Forys and Andy Anderson. At another time I met another instructor. I gave a comb to Skip Adolph – which he gave back to me FRAMED and which is still hanging on the wall in my office

NATIONAL EDITOR OF THE NPMA MAGAZINEI think it was because I wrote so much that the NPMA

Executive Board made me National Editor of the NPMA Magazine – which became The Property Professional. I worked with Sara Helmick Weaver – one of the most conscientious, hardworking people I have ever met. I miss her dearly as she was the consummate professional. Did I know from DAY 1 what I was to do as the National Editor? Once again, Nope! But I learned – it was another Professional Challenge.

NPMA CONFERENCES AND SEMINARSPresenter at EVERY National Education Seminar since 1985

in Washington DC – and probably 95% of the Regional and now Spring and Fall Education seminars. Was I always comfortable in front of an audience? Nope! In fact, in 1986 I believe that the NES was held in Denver, Colorado. I was doing one session – “Progress Payments and Government property.” Two Pentagon officials were in attendance at that session, front row – and I was sweating! At that time in my career I had only recently

12 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

entered into the field of public speaking – and was NOT (in my opinion) very good at it. Once again -- it was another Professional Challenge.

I designed the First Property Challenge for presentation at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco in 1994. It was one of my hair brained ideas that it would be fun to have a game. Ever done this before? Nope! So here it is 2020 and the Property Challenge lives on! It was another Professional Challenge.

I have had the honor and privilege to have taught the famous (or infamous) Contract Property Fundamentals class in New York City -- first with Dr. John Paciorek, then alone for a while, and then Prof. Chuck Waszczak joined me in teaching this class. Note: Chuck has even learned where he is going in the NYC Subways and even above ground! If you are reading this and have run the streets of NYC with me, and/or John and/or Chuck – Raise your hand. You are one of the lucky few! These classes are ALWAYS AMAZING – especially for people who have never been to NYC!

A PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL’S JOURNEY Like many if not all of you I did not set out in life to be a

Property Professional. I had OTHER plans and goals and aspirations. The Good Lord has opened doors and blessed me in my work beyond my wildest expectation. Dave Ramsey, a Christian Financial adviser has a phrase he uses when asked how he is doing… “Better than I deserve” is his response. And I must say that also. I did not and do not today deserve any of these opportunities. Some I stumbled into. Others I was pushed through a door. But each opportunity helped me grow; intellectually, physically (Sometimes food is a real temptation to one’s waistline), emotionally and yes, even spiritually. I wish I could mention EVERY person - -friend, professional colleague, NPMA member who influenced my professional journey. I cannot. But I thank ALL of you because if you spoke to me – you influenced me. If I spoke to you – I hope that I influenced you (Positively). There are two quotes which I have used in numerous presentations. Both are in regard to your work and profession. Here they are:

“I hold every man a debtor to his profession; from the which as men of course do seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavor themselves, by way of amends, to be a help and ornament thereunto.”

— Francis Bacon

Our work, our profession allows us to earn a living. But more importantly to our professional, what have YOU given back to it?

And the second:“Do all the good you can,By all the means you can,In all the ways you can,In all the places you can,At all the times you can,To all the people you can,As long as ever you can.”—John Wesley

When and where does my professional journey end? Well, as I age, I look more and more towards the day of fully retiring. My wife and friends who know me well, say that will never happen – for numerous reasons. But one day it will. May I wish you all a grand and glorious journey through your career. Always looking for new challenges, yet always remembering to give back to your profession as we are all debtors to it!

Referencesi We have now been happily married 42 years as of January 2020. I Had to add that! And she married me even though I had no steady job! Love truly is blind!ii And it is important to note that I CONTINUED my other career WHILE working this job. Days on one job, nights and weekends on the other!iii You will see Tom’s name mentioned a number of times in this article.iv This course was held at Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colorado where years later, really decades later I taught my property courses as an instructor!v Dr. Wells presented at the NPMA NES in Washington, DC in 2019. And I consider her the most brilliant person in Contract Management today!!!vi John Wyatt is now a professor at Cal Poly who has started a program that INCLUDES CONTRACT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT in concert with the NPMA. Watch for it!vii I cannot tell you how many trips across the country and around the world Dr. Paciorek and I made. But it was ALWAYS a wonderful and unique experience with the two of us travelling together! Regrettablyviii NOTE – it is OBSOLETE. Do NOT use it!!!ix Sturm und Drang - German literally roughly translated "storm and drive", though usually translated as "storm and stress".x I ask that you keep Marie in your thoughts and prayers and she is having some physical problems at this time.xi Bob McFarland was a brilliant Property Manager and I miss him dearly. He was one of the few with whom I could engage in intellectual disputation regarding the technical aspects of Property and Asset Management.

WWW.NPMA.ORG 13

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14 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

Management about Property Management. I did miss it for good reason though. I was on the other side of the ocean marrying my wife and spending our honeymoon in Steamboat Springs.

I had also just missed one of the two Certified Professional Property Managers (CPPMs) that worked in our office. Steve Holland had just finished his stint in England and returned to the States. Dean Markee, (mentored by Andy Anderson at TRW in California before he moved to England), introduced me to the property world. I was just the “shipping guy,” but our office wasn’t big, and we all worked together when needed. I believe it was in late 2002 when I became a member of the National Property Management Association; my journey began.

I saw property from the outside, in. But I wasn’t very far outside. Our little office had shipping, receiving, material management, property management, and transportation. While I was there, we went through a

one the next day), living with my parents, and driving my father’s car. I was quite the catch, right? Less than a year earlier, I had been living in Germany for two years, and despite being back for a while, I was kinda stuck in a “failure to launch” type scenario. Fortunately, for me, I had found my better half, sitting across from me that Valentine’s Day as we ate the never-ending breadsticks at Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant.

OVERSEAS ADVENTURETwo weeks after we said “I do”, we were

living out of our suitcases until our housing goods arrived from the U.S. to our little English apartment in the Yorkshire Dales. I took a job as the “shipping guy” in an Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) office.

Unbeknownst to me, I had missed the opportunity to learn from one of our Association’s “greats” by a few weeks. Andy Anderson was there in that small pocket of rolling green hills and hand-hewn rock walls educating the ILS team and Program

When I look back at my professional life up to this point, it is amazing to me that I have ended up where I am. I am truly fortunate.

I didn’t start working the job scene, making the pittance I needed to frequent Taco Bell, put gas in my (parents) car, and date the more attractive half of the human race, until I drove for a meat processing and delivery company, the summer before my senior high school year. Even with my late start to “the grind,” I managed to amass a stack of W-2s from jobs like: TV/VCR, auto, and even vacuum salesman; custom closet installer, liquid oxygen delivery; and many, many more. I cleared 40 different jobs before I knew there was such thing as property management.

Obviously, I needed something to ground me – encourage me to be more accountable and responsible.

My first date with my wife (18 years in June) found me without a job (but starting

MY PROPERTY JOURNEYTHUS FAR

By Scott Petersen, CPPM, CF, Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter

WWW.NPMA.ORG 15

(CPPA). I missed the second module for my CPPA by one question (crestfallen). But, before the 2005 NES in Nashville, I took a “fire hydrant” review from John Paciorek before passing my retake, getting both my CPPS and CPPA in 2005.

Several months later, I received a call from Dean Markee back in England asking if I might consider a property position with ILS. We had just had our first child and felt like we were finally getting used to life on the U.S. side of the “pond.” I took the prospect to Mike and Jeff, and both encouraged me to weigh my options. The salary increase was much more than I could have made if I stayed where I was, and Mike told me I would be a fool to pass it up.

BACK TO ENGLAND (AGAIN)You would think that we like to move

around, but that really isn’t the case. The opportunity to be a part of nearly every aspect of managing property, from cradle to grave (albeit a service contract) was

and employee sales, too). I was enjoying the variability that comes from working different property aspects; there was always something new to learn.

After being there less than a year, Mike called me in for my performance review, and asked (as many of us are) where I saw myself in 5 years. I told him, “in your position.” He laughed at my audacity, but it was well known he was looking to retire around that time. Instead of leaving it at a hearty chuckle, he said, “well, let’s get you there.” I don’t know what potential he saw in me, but he provided me opportunities to grow – quickly. I was able to go to a weeklong Introduction to Property Management class taught by Andy Anderson (did fate set me up because I missed him in England?).

Later, I attended a weeklong class with Skip Adolph for certification review and testing for my Certified Professional Property Specialist (CPPS) and Certified Professional Property Administrator

transition. The customer was moving all their property (globally) to their own system but would still have the contractors maintain data-entry and property control as a service. It was determined to re-barcode all the equipment at this 250k square foot facility. With all hands on deck, I had the “opportunity” to crawl under desks (Cheetos, and Fritos, and smelly-toes: oh my!), dig through equipment labs (using the “dust test” for utilization review), and freezing or cooking in server rooms.

RETURNING STATESIDEAfter nearly two years in ILS, we returned

to Colorado where I sought a property position in Aurora. I was hired on to an already successful property team, led by Mike Russell. While there, I was mentored by Jeff Redman and his (then) 21 years of experience. Mine were the tasks of barcoding all acquired property, equipment inventory for nearly all the programs, and disposition (supporting vendor bids

16 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

the Consulting Fellow (CF) Review Board. Having never gone through the processes before, there was the natural anxiety that comes from wondering if my submission was sufficient. After weeks of speculation, I received confirmation, and was awarded my CF designation at the 2019 NES in Washington, DC.

JUST THE BEGINNINGI have presented multiple breakout

sessions at both Regional and National Conferences, performed chapter webinars, had many articles published in The Property Professional, served as a National Delegate three times, Chapter President twice, proctored over 50 certification tests, chaired the 2019 Spring Education Seminar, and currently serve as the Central Region Editor and as the National Director of Membership Media. After all this, some would feel it’s time to push away from the table, but I feel I am only getting started. There is so much more to do, learn, and share.

But perhaps the most important thing I have learned is the value of relationships built with all those named (and not named) that have supported me along the way. I thoroughly enjoy my career in property.

There is no better association (in my mind) to help its members climb the ladder of property knowledge and success, than the National Property Management Association. The best way to climb that ladder is to be an active, supporting member. Volunteer. Serve. Grow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott W. Petersen, CPPM, CF, is a Principle Government Property Compliance Specialist with Raytheon IIS. He has 18 years of experience in Property Accountability and Integrated Logistics Support. He lives in Ammon Idaho, and currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter, the Central Region Editor, and the National Director of Membership Media for the NPMA.

It was good to be back, and I was looking forward to helping improve the customers property system which had been experiencing many challenges due to lack of property knowledge and high turn-over (some as little as 3 months). The site’s status went from just above abysmal, to having clean audits and three consecutive annual inventories with 100% results.

Within a few months of returning stateside, Mike Russell asked if I would like to help the Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter (DRMC), where he would stay on as Secretary/Treasurer if I threw my name into the empty hat for President. I will admit it was a rough start. At the time, my job and personal life weren’t conducive to running a chapter and I felt really detached. Fortunately, for our members, I discovered Rachel Drenth when she hosted a University Class with Ivonne Bacher at Colorado State University (CSU) – Fort Collins for us. She graciously accepted the Chapter VP position and carried us.

THE NEXT STAGEEventually, my job (task order) ended

and I found myself in search of work in 2016. I remembered that Pam McFarland was looking for someone to help her with performing Contractor Self-Assessments around the country, and felt this was exactly the opportunity I was looking for. I liked the idea of reviewing all aspects of property, as well as being able to be in a position to help improve the Property process. I have learned so much working with Pam and Jerry Piscitelli (our team’s Excel guru), and I feel it’s the best possible position for me to be in at this point in my professional career.

Being in a better position to support the DRMC, I started putting out feelers to see if there was any interest to host a Regional or National seminar in Colorado. Feeling we had a strong enough membership to support a seminar, I reached out to Ken Black (Central Region VP) with our interest, and we were selected to host the Spring Education Seminar (SES) in 2019. We had great support from our chapter members, Meeting Expectations, speakers, other NPMA helpers, and the dedicated efforts of Colton Clemmer and Ken Black. The 2019 SES in Denver would not have been possible without the help of so many.

Soon after SES, my desire to “keep moving forward,” brought me to the grueling task of assembling my documented property life up to that point, and I submitted it to

now mine. Dean and I were a tag-team and rarely seen apart. Being that we were managing property for the customer, we had both customer auditors as well as the Inspector General (IG) visit as often as regulation required. During one IG visit, our auditor told us he was giving us the first-ever Commendable Rating given for a property management system, a major recognition of our efforts.

With the NPMA being a contributing part to our successful reviews and audits, leadership encouraged our team members to seek certification. Dean and I took turns proctoring anyone who desired Property Professional certification. We had a little band of ILS Property brothers, and it seemed a good idea to establish an NPMA chapter in England. We were able to find enough people to have a quorum, created chapter bylaws and eventually, the Yorkshire Chapter had an official charter. With Dennis Doughty as the VP and me as the founding President, we were able to march with the chapter’s banner proudly at the New Orleans NES in 2012.

That same year, I decided to test for my CPPM. I felt ill prepared for the test considering it was based on experience, rather than the NPMA manuals. When I passed, it was evident to me that having property mentors and being active in the NPMA played a significant role in achieving certification.

Throughout my (second) time in England, I was deeply involved in a collaborative multi-customer, multi-contractor site where we reported directly to their leadership: from a G6 Civilian to an Air Force Colonel, and everything in between. Because of customer changes that happened regularly, I really began to understand the value of how the continuity and consistency of a well-established property system provides success. Our team was often recognized for outstanding accomplishments and extraordinary audit results. This was in no small part due to the leadership of three successive newly retired Air Force Logistics Chiefs (Steve Webster, Dave Piper, and Lee Amidon) who understood the value of NPMA membership and encouraged certification.

RETURNING STATESIDE (AGAIN)With three little ones (two born in

England), a new opportunity with a different customer, doing similar work in the U.S. came available.

WWW.NPMA.ORG 17

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18 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

AN ODYSSEYTO ASSETMANAGEMENTEXPERTISE By Toby V. Bell, CPPM, Federal Center Chapter

Many of us have wondered how we got here—in asset management. We certainly didn’t start out planning to work with property or in asset management! Did you start out being the ‘responsible one’ as I did or did someone start assigning property responsibility to you since you ‘already did administrative functions’—another popular ‘beginning’ for a career in asset management. What have I learned about assets, management and leadership along the way? Well that’s a long story—an odyssey, if you will! I learned much about accountability and responsibility and their relationships with leadership that might help others even when they are not specifically property related. Early on I learned that building a broad foundation would eventually provide opportunities for growth and advancement in my property career path. Also being open to new experiences would present career options.

WWW.NPMA.ORG 19

facilities. Among other things I became an Army hand receipt holder (HRH) for the facility and its contents, such as boiler/heater, oven, pool tables, desks/chairs, etc. for the Installation Property Book co-located with the Facilities Engineering and Housing (FEH). I also had responsibility/accountability for sports equipment and uniforms which weren’t issued to coaches and players. This was where I learned about material life expectancy, clothing sizing and condition, Loss Damage Destruction (LDD), Fair Wear and Tear (FWT), and more on unit of issue. I also experienced my first leadership and management opportunities for military and civilian staff, volunteers, youth 5-19 years of age and foreign nationals. When I left I had to return the facility and contents to their previous serviceable state before I could clear the post. Overall it was a great experience; however, it was all-once again-excepted service. I would come to learn that excepted service would not count as Government career time for retirement until I had service time in the US (CONUS). In the Army world at that time property management was part of the supply area.

We returned to the States (CONUS) to West Point, NY. I worked for a couple of years as a substitute teacher and as an administrative assistant at a credit union for which I ordered a telephone system. Then, I once again worked for the US Government at the Facilities Engineering and Housing (FEH). At first I ordered supplies: expendables, consumables and durable items for use by the engineering staff in maintaining the buildings on post (Army term, other military call them bases). I ordered all nature of materials including nuts, bolts, gases, fish, fish tags and other interesting things. This is where I learned about expendable/consumable items which were not accounted for once they were issued and durable items for which records were maintained at the local level. The durables were accounted for in files for employees to whom they were issued. Durable issue records involved sub-hand receipts for tool kits and occasionally spares. There were also issuance records for roofers’ boots, safety glasses (sometimes prescription) and even prescription ergonomic chairs. Once again there were determinations of FWT versus LDD for issued property.

I began my journey on the ‘property’ path working for the military, the US Army in particular. There are so many useful lessons about assets and life to be learned there. The many and frequent moves or changes of station are a remarkable way to build a broad foundation of property management and accountability knowledge. As a military family member stationed in West Germany (OCONUS – outside the continental US), my first experiences with accountability were having a delegation of authority (called a signature card) with the Department of Engineering and Housing (DEH, later FEH) where I was allowed to sign for our Government provided quarters (housing) and all the contents: sofa, chairs, dining table/chairs, beds, dressers, even drapes. The idea was that while my spouse performed military duties, I would be responsible/accountable for the rest. Before we returned stateside (CONUS), we had to clean and return everything to an acceptable level of serviceability or we were liable for some diminishment in its value. This would serve me well in later employment.

I began my asset management career accounting for food stuffs and condiments to be issued to dining facilities (mess halls) at a Troop Issue Subsistence Activity (TISA) in Grafenwoehr, Germany (major training area) half days in the morning. In the afternoons I taught a 3-year-olds pre-school class. After school we coached a variety of sports for the youth activities. There were many lessons to be learned from the local nationals with whom I worked at the TISA. One of the most important was ‘attention to detail’—important whenever there is to be accountability. The items the TISA accounted for were primarily consumables/non-expendables, but, if the mess sergeants didn’t properly account for them, it would cost them personally although there was an allowance for shortages. It was also my first experience with ‘posting’ receiving and issuance documents, units of issue (UI) and units of pack (UP) and their importance, condition and serviceability, storage and shelf life. This job was excepted Government civilian service and part-time, which would complicate my Government service.

Next I was hired to be the director and sports director in the Grafenwoehr, then in Schweinfurt, youth activity center (YAC). I was promoted to facility director, accountable for all equipment, the building and related sports fields and

20 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

nation-wide, a property disposal activity for the National Center, a receiving/shipping section, a hazardous material handling area, and a 48,000 sq ft. separate warehouse facility. The web program provided a fourth opportunity to convert paper inventory records to a computerized program. I directed the USGS excess personal property redistribution, donation, and disposal programs. Many previous skills and knowledge gained earlier in my asset management career were used at the USGS.

All of these previous experiences, in bits and pieces gave me the ability to apply my broad based knowledge on a national basis when I finally completed my US Government service with the US Forest Service (part of US Department of Agriculture - USDA) as the National Asset Management Policy Analyst, evaluating and providing agency-wide guidance on personal and real property assets. In that position I was the subject matter expert (SME) for all aspects of personal property, activity address codes (AAC), recycling/waste prevention, commuter choices, fiscal liability responsibility, materials/storage management, and employee clearance. I prepared and published significant upgrades of outdated directive policies and handbooks for agency national asset management (personal and real property), property accountability, inventory processes, sensitive or controlled items, commuter choices subsidy benefits programs, and recycling and employee exit clearance.

I performed as Acting Agency Personal Property Management Officer (PMO) 18 months on departure of the previous PMO four months after my arrival at USDA Forest Service. I took the lead on performing the mandatory 100% national inventory of over 96,000 accountable and capitalized items, including: aircraft, weapons, fire-fighting equipment, vehicles, engineering equipment, remote sites equipment such as telecommunications and weather towers etc. With my leadership, for the first time in more than a decade, the agency achieved 100% completion on time.

I was lead Forest Service representative to USDA’s accounting-finance office on efforts to convert from a legacy property management information system to an upgraded Department system. I provided significant input on decision factors on the new system requirements, performance factors and User Acceptance Testing

a sufficient Report of Survey, inventorying a warehouse, documenting troop issues, property that loses its uniqueness (a helmet is a helmet), and acceptable inventory losses. My earlier sizing experience allowed me to institute specialized requirements for aviation equipment and maternity Battle Dress Uniforms, and preparing monthly review & Analysis for General Officers, etc.

The next move was still in Stuttgart area to be the first civilian PBO for an Army Signal Battalion supporting the European HQ with communications including telephone, electronic, satellite etc. Due to the type of unit, which included a Special Forces group, we had many classes of property including weapons and security items. I had the opportunity to learn about many different areas and began working in personnel and equipment authorizations and financial management. I served as Report of Survey coordinator, DODAAC (Department of Defense Activity Address Code) coordinator. As Agency travel card coordinator for both Travel and Purchase Charge Cards, I developed a process to evaluate battalion-wide excesses and shortages, and performed as battalion Command Supply Discipline evaluator. These areas all expanded my knowledge foundation and resume. During the ten years with the battalion was a period of European drawdown which required me to convert signal units’ property (from Karlsruhe, Augsburg and Nurnberg) to our battalion property book—my third automation/conversion. In my evenings and on weekends, I attended University of Maryland courses completing a Certificate in Management, an A.A. in Business Administration, and a B.S. in Management graduating cum laude. The degree provided further expansion for my property foundation.

Upon returning CONUS I was promoted to the Branch of Materials Management at the US Geological Survey (a bureau of Department of Interior) managing their internal supply, warehouse, and property disposal programs. I was promoted to Chief of the enlarged Supply Management division which included the Supply Operations section. The section was comprised of the Reston Supply Service Center (RSSC) providing administrative supplies and Visual Identity clothing/products for National Center employees, a web catalog operation offering the same products supporting USGS employees

After ordering materials, I performed their first comprehensive inventory of supplies and found many redundancies (how many different locally assigned stock numbers could one size screw be assigned?).

My reward was moving into the FEH housing section, Furnishings Management managing family and bachelor housing furnishings. I became the Property Book Officer (PBO). I ordered, issued and stored large appliances (refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers) for family housing and appliances plus furniture for bachelor housing and barracks. A supply clerk and four receiving staff worked with me. Property lists were kept in ten+ 3-1/2 inch binders! I was put on a team to automate/computerize the ‘property book’— my first of many such experiences. I learned more about what characteristics or pieces of information were important to have for every item in the property book so that the computer records fully identified each property item. Overall the positions in New York really added to my property foundation.

We moved back to Germany to Stuttgart—home to the European Command (EUCOM). I took over as PBO of a Central Issue Facility (CIF) with over $14 million in assets after 6 previous hires quit in the previous three years. Our CIF issued field gear to more than 14,000 military in the greater Stuttgart installation area, including Army special operations, aviation, some air force and flag officers stationed there. After performing a space allocation study of 93 buildings in the Stuttgart area, I moved the entire CIF for a facility on one side of town to the other side of town which gave me the opportunity to learn about deployment authorizations and space allocation arenas along with facility design and transportation. I worked with a staff of US civilians, local nationals, and temporarily allotted military members.

Once again I converted a paper ledger to an automated property accounting system—my second experience. Our CIF also supported the deployment of VII Corps to Southwest Asia (SWA) with field gear for Operation Desert Shield. We then moved 2nd Corps Support Command’s war reserve stocks of Meals Ready-to-Eat to port for use in Desert Storm, in addition to the war-time uptick in our mission.

Due to individual equipment losses, I processed more than 2000 individual Reports of Survey. I learned about preparing

WWW.NPMA.ORG 21

(UAT) for more than 16 months, providing system conversion status to Forest Service personnel nationwide. This was my fifth property system conversion role.

A long road from managing uniforms, balls and bats, my Government career encompassed 35 years, finally allowing me to buy back my excepted service. The time seemed to pass so quickly at the end although much more slowly at many of the middle points!

So, what happened when I retired from the US Government? Well it did not mean that I retired from property or asset management. I have remained actively involved on the board of the NPMA Federal Center Chapter (FCC), attended numerous national and regional seminars, and worked on CPPM tests among other activities. I have been fortunate to be the Eastern Region Editor since retiring from the Government. All in all I am keeping my hand in the world of asset management!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Toby V. Bell, CPPM, has held numerous positions within the Federal Government: more than 24 years stateside and overseas with Department of the Army, four years with the U.S. Geological Survey of Department of the Interior in Reston, VA, and more than seven years with the U.S. Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• 35+ years of experience in end-to-end property/disposal/logistics/supply/fleet management, recycling, operations, supply chain/operations, budget management

• 14+ years as US Government Supervisor• She is currently and has been for several

years a delegate and board member for the Federal Center Chapter. She is the Eastern Region editor for NPMA’s The Property Professional. She achieved her CPPS, CPPA, and CPPM in 2004 upon returning from 16+ years in Germany.

• She has a B.S. in Management (cum laude), an A.A. in Business Administration (cum laude) and a Management Certificate from the University of Maryland.

• She currently lives in Vienna, VA with her double-retiree spouse of 53 years, 3 wily cats and many non-expendable mementos from her years living in Europe.

UNIPAC INCREASES INVENTORY ACCURACY TO

98 PERCENT VIA RFID

Plastic-processing company Unipac, a subsidiary of Jacto Group—which ended 2018 with a reported net revenue of 1.5 billion Brazilian real ($356 million)—has adopted a combination of UHF RFID and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies, together with QR codes. As a result, the company says it has achieved inventory accuracy greater than 98 percent. The Internet of Things (IoT)-based platform was developed by the Center for Innovation in Agribusiness (CIAg), which was responsible for defining the architecture, specifying features based on customer requirements, implementing and validating the solution, providing customer training and maintenance, and developing new features.

To implement the mixed-architecture IoT platform, a site survey mapped the flow and processes of the operation in order to deploy an infrastructure composed of RFID portals, BLE beacon readers and portable readers, according to the process need, with the goal of seeking a balance between cost and accuracy in obtaining data. The unit receives identifying devices—RFID tags, beacons and QR code tags—and, in a Web-based system, is initialized in its position.

The full article can be seen at https://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?19188

The Jacto Group-owned company adopted an Internet of Things-based

platform from CIAg, utilizing UHF RFID, QR code and BLE technologies.

By Edson Perin

22 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

By Billie Jo Perchla (aka Bubbles) CPPM, CF, Northwest Chapter

MY PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT

WWW.NPMA.ORG 23

In 1983, I had a three month old baby and no insurance (I was a hairdresser and shop manager). Two customers, and dear friends, convinced me to take the Civil Service exam and go to work for the Government. I scored 97 percentile, which put me at the top of the hiring list. A few days later the Navy Plant Representative Office (NAVPRO) at Lockheed Missile & Space Company (LMSC) offered me a job. So, on 03 April 1983 I became a Government employee.

NAVPRO Sunnyvale – 1983 – 1991 As a GS-3 (General Schedule

Government base pay scale) Mail/File Clerk, this was an entry level position in which I maintained a contract file room consisting of all of the administration documentation for approximately 500 contracts. I also maintained the Contracts Division Library, posting updates and changes to approximately 200 Regulations, Policy, and Procedure Documents. In July, I was raised to a GS-4 and then in October I was selected for the Procurement Clerk (GS-5) position in the Cost/Price Analysis Branch.

Award: Special Act of Service 1983Procurement Clerk (GS-5). My duties

were to take care of all secretarial tasks for one Branch Chief and six analysts. This included all correspondence, filing, ordering of supplies, and preparation of presentation materials. In July of 1984 I was selected as the Industrial Property Management Trainee (GS-5, 7, 9)i for the Property Division.

Award: Special Act of Service 1984Property Management Trainee 1103

(GS-5, 7, 9). I provided support for one Plant Clearance Officer, one Property Administrator, and the Property Branch Chief. I must say that the Government in general and the Navy in particular, provides excellent training opportunities. I earned my GS-7 and in January of 1985 I went to Wright-Patt Air Force Base for my first property class…Basic Property PPM 151, taught by Col. Morse and Doug Goetz (Doug’s first teaching assignment at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). I was the lowest ranking member in the class which included Tom Ruckdashel and several other notable individuals whose full names escape me. Tom gave us all nicknames – I was Bubbles (yes, that’s where it came from) Jane was ‘disgusting’, Randy was Eddie Haskel, a

property administration and disposal policies and procedures; and,

2. Providing advice and counsel on property issues to Contractor personnel, ACOs, Program Office Tech Reps, DCMC Reps, higher Headquarters personnel, and others.

Additionally, as a result of the consolidation, Col. Tate and I traveled to the PROs throughout the state to demonstrate how to make the transition go smoothly.

Locations. Besides those listed before, I supported efforts and trained personnel at the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific in Bremerton, WA, the Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic in Kings Bay, GA, and Patrick AFB in Florida.

Government Training Completed. At AFIT: PPM 151, Basic Property (1985); PPM 300, Advanced Property (1987); and, PPM 302 (CON 201), Government Contract Law (1986). At Ft. Lee, VA Management of Defense Acquisition Contracts (1986); IND 102, Contract Property Disposition; and at DLA Memphis, TN Industrial Plant Equipment Procedures (1986). At Walnut Creek, CA, Preventing and Resolving EEO Complaints (1989).

Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic (SWFLANT) – 1991-2004

Although my job became multi-functional, primarily I was the Government Property Administrator (GPA) and Plant Clearance Officer (PLCO).

As GPA, I maintained surveillance and control over approximately 80,000 items of Government property, including the fleet of vehicles, in the custody of the Navy, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics. These contracts are highly complex production and overhaul/repair efforts with both Northrop and GD interacting with Lockheed throughout the production effort. Each contractor had its own property control system for which I had approval responsibility. Additionally, I was the Property Book Officer for approximately 1500 items of plant and minor equipment in the Navy's custody. I also had facility maintenance responsibility for approximately 57 buildings/structures valued at approximately $3M...

guy from MIT was ‘Pizza Man’, etc. etc. - and we proceeded to carry out many antics, both in the classroom and the surrounding Dayton area, most of which were on Tom's good friend Doug. On the last day of class we gave Doug a ‘Goetz Busters’ T-shirt signed by all of us, which many of you have seen over the years. In the class I also learned about the NPMA, which I joined upon my return. Through my mentors in the Bay Area Chapter – Andy Anderson and Ivonne Bachar to name two – and colleagues, I gained more knowledge about property management than any formal education offering. Back to my career…a year after I joined the Property Division, my boss retired, our PA advanced to Property Chief and I advanced to the PA position.

Government Property Administrator 1103 (GS-7, 9, 11). I maintained surveillance over items of Government property in the custody of LMSC and their subcontractors that were accountable to the approximately 500 contracts that were accountable to us. Then, in November of 1987 our Branch Chief moved to Florida and I was selected to fill the position.

Property Locations. The property under my surveillance in California was located in Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Milpitas, the Santa Cruz mountains, and Stockton. My favorite, the DSRV (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle) Program was located in San Diego, CA, and lastly, Magna, Utah.

Chief Contract Property Management 1103 (Gs-12). My primary responsibility was to protect the Government's interest in $1.3B of Government property accountable to Lockheed contracts. Contracts were inclusive of all DoD agencies as well as NASA and DoE. As a result of the reorganization of the Federal Government Lockheed’s two Plant Representative Offices (AF and Navy) were consolidated into a DPRO with the Property Offices of both commands under me. In addition to the administrative tasks necessary to supervise three Property Administrators, two Plant Clearance Officers, an Industrial Specialist, and a Clerk, my responsibilities included:

1. Addressing complex Government property issues/procedures, from material losses to the disposition of millions of dollars of Government property. All of which required analysis and implementation of

MY PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT

24 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

(NPMA) certification program as a Certified Professional Property Manager (CPPM). In 1996 the National Property Management Association awarded me Consulting Fellowship.

NPMA MembershipI have been an active member of the

NPMA since 1995. While in the Bay Area I served as the Bay Area Chapter Treasurer, the Program Committee Chairman, Chapter Delegate, and as an active participant on numerous committees. While in Georgia I established the Kings Bay Chapter and served as Chapter President, National Delegate, and Chairman of the 1995 and 2001 Easter Region Seminars and the NES in Jacksonville, Florida, even though we were one of the two smallest chapters in the NPMA. I have also served as the Vice President of Professional Development for the National Board and National Director of Professional Development, Certification, and Membership. I have written three articles for the NPMA magazine and have presented workshops at the 1992 Western Region Seminar, 1995 and 1996 Eastern Region Seminars, the National Education Seminar at Stanford University in 1993, and the 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1999 National Seminars. Attended every NES from 1986 until retiring in 2004 and three since retiring. Since retiring I served as Technical Senior Editor and contributor for three NPMA Certification Manuals and their Supplements. I currently serve as National Editor of The Property Professional.

To summarize, take on every challenge, accept all training opportunities, JOIN THE NPMA, get certified, and volunteer every chance you get.

I think that’s quite enough, don’t you?

Referencesi In the Government General Schedule, some jobs are published as ‘career ladder’ positions (GS-5,7,9), which means that you can reach the next higher level in the same position as long as you have at least one year in the pay grade at the next lower level and complete the required training and duties.

requirements for approximately 40 acquisition workforce personnel and provided statistical data to the Command HR group. Conducted annual Acquisition Reform Training.

Government Training Completed While at SWFLANT. Naval Facility Engineering Command, Transportation Equipment Management (1992); DAU Intermediate post-Award Contract Administration (CON 221) (1993); DAU Executive Contract Property Management (IND 202) (1994) & 1998; USDA Project Management (1994); DAU Executive Contract Administration (CON 321) (1994)

Awards: Meritorious Civilian Service Award (1990); 10 Outstanding DLA Personnel of the Year for Contract Management in 1991 (at that tine, Janice Hawks and I were the only two Property Managers to have won for Contract Management); Special Act of Service Awards …1998 (2), 1997, 1996; Command Letters of Appreciation 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995 (3), 1994. 1993, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987; On-The-Spot Award 1995, 1996, 1997. Outstanding Performance Awards...annually from 1983 through 2004. Additionally, in 1989 I coordinated and participated in a Tutoring Program for the NAVPRO and the Sunnyvale School District; as a result I was awarded Tutor of the Year by the city of Sunnyvale.

Job-Related Certificates and Licenses. I am Level III Certified in the Category of Industrial/Contract Property Management by the Defense Acquisition University.

I have completed the National Property Management Association's

As Plant Clearance Officer, I directed the three contractors through the Plant Clearance Automated Reutilization Screening System as well as having disposition signature authority for all Government custody property.

As an Industrial Division Team Lead, I headed a multi-functional team comprised of one engineer, an engineering tech, one quality assurance specialist, and one industrial property management specialist/purchasing agent, for which I identified training and resource requirements, assigned tasks, provided status of assignments through completion, and conducted regularly scheduled meetings to ensure team support and effective communication. I provided Lead responsibilities and Contract Administration functions. Our team was responsible for the care and maintenance of nine production buildings, seven small ordnance magazines, and 41 missile motor magazines. Our primary interface in performing this function was the Base Operating Support Contractor and various other subcontractors as may have been required by time and circumstance. I (as Team Lead) independently negotiated all contracts under $25K in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Process outlined by the Federal Acquisition Regulations and specific agency requirements. Each team managed their assigned projects from “cradle to grave” using the appropriate tools to plan, estimate, negotiate, and status the assigned projects.

As Acquisition Workforce Training Coordinator, I coordinated training

WWW.NPMA.ORG 25

BRINGING CHAPTERS TOGETHER

ConnectionCORNER

Connection corner is a new column in The Property Professional designed for Chapters to share information with the membership. In this edition, we interviewed Chapter President, Eileen Hoffman, from the South Florida Chapter. The South Florida Chapter is a small chapter in the Eastern Region, but being small has not hindered their success. Check out what Eileen had to say..

What Industries make up your chapter membership?

The Chapter is made up of Government Contractor & Local Government employees.

What type of meetings does your Chapter hold?

We hold meetings via teleconference. This has been a success for our Chapter because we have members spread across South Florida and the Bahamas.

How does your Chapter drive participation?

To encourage other members to participate on a regular basis, we offer an incentive award. Members who attend 5-6 meetings each year are awarded a $25 gift card. I am proud to be part of this group.

Tell us something unique / interesting about your Chapter?

We have several interesting aspects about our Chapter. Because our Chapter is spread across a vast area, we never have an opportunity to actually “see” each other, yet our meetings remind me of a happy family reunion where we enrich each other by sharing asset management ideas and experiences. In addition, two years ago, our Chapter created a Financial Assistance program to provide assistance to our members to help with paying for certifications, courses and NES seminars.

As President, what are you most proud of?

As I approach the end of my term as President of the Chapter this year, I am most proud of the fact that although our Chapter is very small with 22

members, there are five (5) ACTIVE participating members who are very dedicated and committed to NPMA and what it represents. I have learned how busy their work days are, yet they commit to attending our meetings via teleconferencing with cheerful enthusiasm. They commit to having a topic discussion at each meeting and willingly volunteer to be the presenter

What advice would you give to a new Chapter Officer?

Don’t be afraid if your Chapter is small. The South Florida Chapter is small, but VERY STRONG!!

Share Your Story

WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING FROM YOUR CHAPTER?Email Kim Saeger, VP of

Marketing & Communications at vpmarketing@npma.org today!

EMAILUS

Good Things Come in Small Packages – Check Out What The South Florida Chapter Had to Say!

26 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

By 2001, I had worked for L3 Communications in the areas of Industrial Engineering and Contracts (thus using my engineering and finance degrees). Up to that time, the only thing I knew about “property” was that there was a property function listed in contracts. That year I joined the Property Administration department under the direction of Greg Vernon. Greg understood the need for professional certification, so arranged for the five in the department to become certified. We often studied as a group, had guest presenters, and took tests together. Over the years we eventually received our CPPM certification.

Another great help to our professional development has been the NPMA. Greg Vernon arranged for us to attend Western and National conferences on a rotating basis. My first regional conference was held in Salt Lake City followed by others in Phoenix and Long Beach. My first national conference was in San Antonio followed by Las Vegas, Anaheim, Phoenix and Washington, DC. The

MY PROPERTY EXPERIENCES

By Keith C. Record, CPPM, Great Salt Lake Chapter

Billie Jo Perchla, our National Editor, asked the editors to write an article

about their property careers. I will share some

of my experiences to show what I have gained

from my association.

WWW.NPMA.ORG 27

knowledge gained at these conferences along with the association with other professionals have been valuable in understanding property functions, the diversity of property applications and the challenges we all face.

Belonging to the Great Salt Lake Chapter has been an opportunity to learn and rub shoulders with great people. The wide geographical area covered by our chapter presented logistical challenges in physically meeting together. We found meeting at a location somewhat central in our region for lunch worked the best, yet many still were not able to attend. Fortunately, technology has made it possible to hold meetings where everyone can participate. We still physically meet several times a year including events such as “boss’s night” (where we invited our bosses to an evening dinner/speaker event) and our summer BBQ. Holding a chapter position can be intimidating. My first position was editor for our newsletter (little did I know that I would be an editor now). Later I held other chapter positions that helped in getting to know and serve chapter members.

Giving presentations can be intimidating, whether in a chapter or at a conference. I taught evening college courses for many years but found that standing before professional colleagues more challenging than standing before college students. My first NES presentation experience occurred in 2011 when Jim Crews and I helped Al Green present his research on logistics during the American Civil War. Over the years, I found that giving presentations are a good way to sharpen skills and extend yourself.

During NES 2014, Bob Kaehler, the Western Region Vice President at the time, asked me to be the Western Region editor. I accepted the challenge. More recently, Kimberly Saeger asked me to be the managing editor. Although my background is not in English, writing or editing (except perhaps in grading student papers), I enjoy doing what I can to serve.

Within my company, there have been many challenges. We moved our government property warehouse twice to new buildings. With each move there has always been a concern of “not leaving one asset behind” or of losing assets. Our last move went relatively smoothly due to careful planning and execution by many individuals. In 2013, our company undertook the task of converting our many disparate “homegrown” computer programs to SAP (Systems, Applications and Product). We had a steep learning curve adjusting to SAP and the application programs written to meet the unique requirements of property. IT (Information Technology) program changes continue as we refine our needs with changing processes and governmental directives. Educating others within the company concerning property has been at times challenging since understanding property requirements or following needed processes have not been a priority for some. The FAR rewrite, changing government requirements, and the ever present internal and external audits have kept us striving to continuously improve. I have also been asked to take on “non property” assignments such as heading our division “Business Continuity Plan” (preparation for handling emergencies and disasters).

Throughout the years I have gained a great appreciation for Asset Management and the scope it entails. Details may be different but challenges are often similar across the board. Learning, serving and supporting each other is critical to our success. I am thankful to the many people who have enriched my property experience.

The defense industrial base is on a negative trajectory as companies grapple with deteriorating conditions for industrial security and the availability and cost of skilled labor and materials, according to a new report released Feb. 5.

In the report, “Vital Signs 2020: The Health and Readiness of the Defense Industrial Base,” researchers dug into three years’ worth of data, ultimately bestowing the defense industrial base with a worrying low “C” grade.

“2020’s mediocre ‘C’ grade reflects a business environment characterized by highly contrasting areas of concern and confidence,” said the report which was compiled by the National Defense Industrial Association — the publisher of National Defense — and its partner Govini. Vital Signs is intended to be an annual report.

“We estimate that the defense industrial base circa 1980 experienced shortages in the productive capacity of 54.5 percent (6 of 11) of critical defense supplier industries,” the report said. “Presently, 27.3 percent (3 of 11) of critical defense supplier industries would likely experience shortages in the event of a surge in demand for combat-essential defense programs equivalent to the Carter-Reagan buildup of the late 1970s through the mid-1980s.”

The final dimension examined by the report is supply chain, which earned a score of 68 — a decline of 15 points from 2017.

The full article can be seen at https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2020/2/5/defense-industrial-base-earns-c-grade-in-new-report

By Yasmin Tadjdeh

BREAKING:REPORT FINDS U.S. DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE IN DECLINE

28 THE PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

BY YOUR NPMA ‘EXPERT’ PANEL

ASK THEEXPERT

DEAR EXPERT PANEL,My colleague and I are having a slight

disagreement over the use of the term “excess.” In all of my experience we do not declare an item as being “excess” until the completion of the/a contract.