HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Sue Dryden, vice director for the 309th Maintenance Wing and the new Ogden Air Logistics Center Senior Functional (CSF) for Life Cycle Logistics, hosted the first ever basewide logistics town hall meeting on April 28 with the theme "Strengthening Air Force Logistics." The Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force are postured to raise the bar on development of the logistics and acquisition workforce to ensure all are equipped and empowered to create, field and sustain effective weapon systems. The meeting included four guest speakers, a question and answer session and one-on-one career counseling sessions.

Dryden's opening dialogue on recent high-level reform acts, laws and assessments confirmed the top-level commitment to strengthen the logistics workforce. This new direction establishes mandatory product support manager positions, improves transparency and decision-making, facilitates stable and robust government-industry partnerships and strengthens Life Cycle Logistics human capital assets.

Guest speakers, Jo D. Turner, vice director for the 508th Aircraft Sustainment Wing and CSF for Acquisition Program Management, discussed new hiring initiatives such as the Expedited Direct Hiring Authority and changes in workforce management. Antonio Perez, Air Force Personnel Center chief of the Logistics Career Field Management Team, discussed career development. Kevin Flinders, chief of Acquisition Center of Excellence, addressed core functions, Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification, and program management assistance. Ron Voss, Program Manager program manager for the logistics communication level (PM/LCL) of the Functional Office briefed Life Cycle Logistics and the recent Aquisition Program Development Program (APDP) coding effort.

Following the briefings, a panel comprised of logistics experts including Jo D. Turner, Kevin Flinders, Col. Mike Kucej, Antonio Perez and Ted Eaton answered audience questions relating to career development, APDP coding, hiring opportunities, and impacts to logistics with the upcoming reorganization.

Immediately following the town hall meeting, the AFPC team conducted approximately 70 one-on-one career-counseling sessions. The sessions provided Hill logistics personnel advice and insight on personal career progression and development. For more information about the meeting, contact the PM/LCL Functional Office at OOALC.PMLCL.functionaloffice@hill.af.mil.