We the People: Power for Real Change—ASMC NCR PDI
Written by: Vera Medici
For the first time since 2019, the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) National Capital Region (NCR) Professional Development Institute (PDI) took place in person on March 9, 2023 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. The event was abuzz with excitement after two virtual NCR PDIs in 2021 and 2022, and the crowd of over 1,000 defense financial management (FM) professionals took full advantage of connecting face-to-face after a long absence, between sessions, at a seated lunch, and throughout the busy exhibit hall.
The event kicked off with a greeting from Ms. Debra Del Mar, ASMC NCR PDI Chair, followed by the opening ceremony, which included an always-stirring presentation of colors, the national anthem, and the pledge of allegiance. The Honorable Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense, shared a virtual message with attendees. The opening session continued with a keynote address from the Honorable Michael McCord, Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller.
The following plenary session, “PPBE Reform Commission – What Success Looks Like,” featured a panel of distinguished guests, namely three of the 13 commissioners of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) Reform Task Force: the Honorable Robert Hale, commission chair, the Honorable Peter Levine, commissioner, and Jonathan Burks, commissioner. This session was of great interest to all attendees, as ASMC has been an active association participant in these discussions. The commission continues to study current processes, gather data, meet with stakeholders, and hear recommendations in preparation for issuing their interim report.
Concurrent sessions followed, focusing on government innovation. Topics included data and cloud innovations, integrating DoD weapon systems cost data to inform the Program Objective Memorandum, and using financial management data as a force multiplier for informed resource decisions.
The seated luncheon gave attendees time to pause and refresh while interacting with their fellows. The chatter subsided when keynote speaker Lieutenant General Christopher “CJ” Mahoney, Deputy Commandant, Programs and Resources, United States Marine Corps took the stage. After an insightful and amusing address, he handed the microphone back to Debra Del Mar for the Chapter Awards ceremony.
Concurrent sessions continued in the afternoon, with the theme of financial management transformation. Management Concepts hosted the session “The Future FM Landscape: Transforming Dollars and Sense” moderated by Patrick Porter, strategic account executive at Management Concepts, with guest speakers Lara Sayer, Executive Director, PPBE Reform Commission, and Peter Bowman, Human Capital Branch Head, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, (Financial Management and Comptroller), Fiscal and Administrative Division. Sayer and Bowman drew from their depth and breadth of experience across the military and government to address the challenges that lie in the path of building a premier FM workforce, from credentialing to recruitment and retention.
Management Concepts ASMC member staff greeted hundreds of visitors at the booth in the exhibit hall. Many DoD FM professionals, whether new to the field or already familiar with Management Concepts were excited to take away information on the new timely course “G-Invoicing And The Intragovernmental Process” and learn about our expanded educational partnership with ASMC.
Missed the NCR PDI? You can still view event photos on our Facebook page, and visit our ASMC partner page to find us at the next ASMC event.
