Director of Communications joins Hill after post at Pentagon

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times editor
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Barton Clements has become the newest director of the 75th Air Base Wing Communications Directorate and has assumed the role of Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Ogden Air Logistics Center.

Clements previously served at the Pentagon as 844th Communications Squadron executive director.

As he settles into his post Clements reports he is trying to meet all his communications people in all the many places they work. He wants to familiarize himself with what they do and the hurdles they must overcome. "I'm finding it exhilarating," he said. "The fast-paced tempo of Hill Air Force Base is exciting, and I'm looking forward to working with Col. Patrick Higby, (75th Air Base Wing commander) and the other wing commanders in figuring out how to meet the demands."

When asked about his goals, the La Grande, Ore., native cited superior customer service as the No. 1 goal for the 75th Communications Directorate, or SC.

"I believe SC is better prepared to take care of its customers when SC people are well cared for," said Clements. "So, my first priority is to take care of the people in (the directorate)."

He proposes the following series of steps to accomplish this:
  • Identify problems and fix them -- don't walk past a problem, call attention to it and let's fix it.
  • Give people ownership of their jobs and expect that they will do them.
  • Recognize, reward and promote exceptional performers.
  • Ensure people receive regular, timely and meaningful feedback.
  • Have fun.

"I plan to hold unit morale events at least once a quarter -- promote esprit de corps in each work center and come to work with a positive attitude," he said.

Clements believes that if the directorate is taking care of its people, then they are better prepared to take care of their customers.

He emphasizes that his goals for the Communications Directorate include the following:
  • Treating all customers as VIPs -- each customer should feel as if they're getting our full attention to requests.
  • Getting feedback -- not only through surveys, but by asking, "How are we doing?"
  • Addressing customers' problems and concerns with courtesy, initiative and a sense of urgency.
  • Keeping customers informed -- if we're unable to resolve a problem right away, give an estimate of when it will be resolved and provide regular status updates.
  • Understand, anticipate and exceed customers' expectations."
"I believe in helping people to do their jobs as well as they can," he said.

Clements said he believes in communicating clearly and often. "Face-to-face communication is preferred; if that's not possible then a phone call is next best," he said. "E-mail is least preferred, even though I know we all spend way too much time dealing with it -- it's the most likely to be misused or misunderstood. If e-mail is used it should be short and to the point."

He intends to work through the chain of command, his chiefs and supervisors, Clements said, but that he is accessible. "I want to hear my people's thoughts and concerns."

He believes in the power of listening to others. "I'm a great listener, but I won't necessarily act on what I hear unless we agree action is needed."

In looking at the challenges the communications field faces the new commander said, "It would be a big help if each person at Hill would behave with their use of their work computer and the network the same as they would with their home -- only let in those you trust and protect your valuables. SC will keep your virtual 'neighborhood' as safe as we can; it's up to each 'resident' to be vigilant and follow good information security practices.

Clements also said he would like to see emphasis placed on growing quality employees while they are still students and then placing them into internships into the communications field where possible as some of the mature and aging work force moves into retirement.

He has always had a natural interest in this field as a youth. "Believe it or not, I've been interested in computers ever since I first saw Mr. Spock use them on 'Star Trek!' Clements said. "I took computer programming courses in high school and college, and the ability to make a machine do what I wanted it to through a 'code' was thrilling to me."

The communications field was a natural extension of that interest.

Clements enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from junior college in San Marcos, Calif. His first assignment was as a Telecommunications Center operator at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, Calif. He joined the civil service at Norton as a GS-2 clerk-typist and worked his way up through the grades, until he reached management levels.

Among Clements varied career posts, he worked at the Air Force Safety Center, both at Norton AFB and then at its new location in Albuquerque, N.M.

Clements said the thing he is looking forward to most here as far as the location itself, is exploring the Wasatch Mountains and some of the scenic sites surrounding the area. Because he arrived to take his current position Jan. 2, the avid hiker is likely going to have to wait for a bit more favorable weather.