WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFLCMC) – Nearly 250 defense financial managers gathered at Wright-Patterson AFB, May 2, for the 27th annual Mini Professional Development Institute (PDI) hosted by the American Society of Military Comptrollers Aviation Chapter (ASMC) and Air Force Materiel Command Financial Management.
ASMC focuses on training and professional development at Wright-Patterson AFB.
"If I could only take one outside training each year, it would always be the Mini PDI,” said Belinda Elsherif, financial manager, Fighters and Advanced Aircraft directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC) . “I learn so much about what's changing, where funds are going and see folks I worked with years ago."
Presentation topics revolved around the theme of “financial fusion” and included cost research initiatives, the national defense budget, leadership qualities, digital transformation and much more.
AFLCMC Executive Director, Dennis D’Angelo, a member of the Senior Executive Staff, along with Marjana Zupcsan, SES, AFLCMC Director of Financial Management and Kathy Watern, SES, AFMC Director of Manpower, Personnel and Services, discussed their experiences during a panel session while attendees asked questions about collaboration in complex governmental organizations.
“Professional development events like these are wonderful opportunities to meet up and network with other professionals and talk about the latest and greatest in financial management,” said Brig. Gen. Frank Verdugo, AFMC Comptroller. “I’m thrilled that the Aviation Chapter has reestablished these excellent events.”
During the Mini PDI, the Aviation Chapter also recognized award winners for financial excellence:
- Joe Patterson, Acquisition/Cost Analysis
- Kegin Sparks, Auditing
- Hilary L. Brown, Budgeting
- Candice Lock, Comptroller/Deputy Comptroller
- Joshua B. Johnson, Contractor Support
- The AFRL/RGF Team, Digital Transformation Team
- Lindsay Miller, Finance
- The KC-46 Financial Management Team, Large Team Achievements
- Cassaundra Wolfe, Resource Management
- The AFAOC Forensics Analysis Team, Small Team Achievements
ASMC is a national organization which is made up of over 100 chapters across the world. This month’s Mini PDI had a 43% increase in attendance over last year.