Page 6 - Spring2017_MIL Connection

Conferences

AGA DC Chapter luncheon featuring AGA pre-event roundtable

speaker Jeffrey DeWitt Marisa Daley, COO, and John Roland, a FAS VP, attended
the January 12th AGA conference at the Marriott Marquis in
MIL Senior AVP John Roland had the honor of introducing Washington DC. At this “roundtable” event, conference goers
AGA luncheon speaker Jeffrey DeWitt, CFO for the District enjoyed an opening address by Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller
of Columbia, at the Association’s January 12th meeting at General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government
the Hamilton Live venue in Washington, DC. Mr. DeWitt Accountability Office (GAO), a position he has held since
discussed financial issues impacting the District of Columbia, December 2010. Dodaro discussed GAO’s priorities with a focus
and focused specifically on the state of the District’s on the coming year and the future’s challenges, issues on high risk
infrastructure. After the presentation, luncheon attendees list, etc. Following his remarks, Dodaro entertained questions
had an opportunity to network with senior leaders from the from conference attendees.
federal government and private industry.
At the conclusion of the event, John was tasked with thanking
the speaker on behalf of AGA, its members, and the attending
participants, and presenting Mr. DeWitt with a gift in
commemoration of the event.

employee stories

MIL staff supporting the Post Assistance Program visit US Embassy in Kabul

By Patrick Holland

MIL employees Patrick Holland and Rashid Fahim traveled to the typically last from six months to one year. The American officers
U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan to represent the Department at post are routinely assigned to single year tours as well, which
of State’s Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS) adds to the operational challenge.
bureau. The trip was part of the Post Assistance Program whose According to Patrick, the largest benefit of having the ability to
purpose is to provide new tools, training, and financial support to travel to our embassies is the opportunity to build relationships
our overseas missions. with post personnel. It enables CGFS to gain insight to priorities
While assisting the post on their visit, Patrick and Rashid worked and processes and to improve channels of communication with
closely with the embassy’s financial and procurement staff to posts. Patrick and Rashid have been praised by DoS management
provide in-depth system orientations focusing on the new for their excellent support of the Financial Management operation
embassy employees. They also provided a comprehensive review within the Kabul mission, and continue to show why MIL is the
session regarding unliquidated obligations and best practices for contractor of choice within CGFS.
validating post obligations. Additional work sessions were held
with the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement financial
staff and the Public Diplomacy section regarding embassy grant
programs. In addition to training, several outstanding financial
management issues that the Kabul staff was unable to solve were
explored and resolved by Patrick and Rashid.
One of Patrick and Rashid’s observations during the trip was
regarding a unique and challenging staff dynamic specific to
the Kabul mission. The constant turnover of staff presents
many business continuity issues that are specific to this type of
operation. Locally employed Afghani staff may receive a special
immigrant visa to the United States after two years of service.
Locally employed staff from embassies throughout the world
are assigned within Kabul on temporary duty assignments that

6 | The mil connection | spring 2017