Office Call Podcast

Dave Weinberg - Leading Your Life Sep 23, 2021

In this episode of Office Call, we share a session from the Financial Management Leadership Series. Mr. Dave Weinberg discusses why it is important for one to lead their life and practice self-care. Mr. Weinberg is a Senior Partner with the Kearney Company, owner and sole proprietor of DaveSpeak. He is a retired Colonel from the United States Air Force. Mr. Weinberg was formerly the Comptroller, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He was responsible for providing the $8 billion financial resources required to recruit and assess Air Force personnel and provide them military, technical, and flying training to replenish Air Force combat capability. A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, he served as the A-8, Director, supporting the warfighters and responsible for the $1.5 billion spent throughout the 38 sites within the area of responsibility. He has a BS in Accounting from Clemson University, SC, and a MA in Public Administration from Troy State University, AL. His comptroller assignments include nine years in finance, ten years in budget, five years as a commander, and five years as a comptroller at all levels of staff. He is an active member of the American Society of Military Comptrollers, having served as past president to four separate chapters, and has a CDFM. He is married to Marty and has two great kids, Matt and Allison (almost off the payroll).

90 Day Command Plan - After Action Jul 14, 2021

Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower famously said, “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” Additionally, in Barbara Tuchman’s book, The Guns of August, she illustrates the importance of building flexibility into a plan. In this episode of Office Call, Nesta Garner and John Forbes conduct an after action report to evaluate how the 90 Day Command Plan survived the first contact. They discuss what went well, what did not go so well, and what changes to make for the next plan.

Accelerate Change or Lose - Linking to Financial Management Jul 01, 2021

Accelerate Change or Lose - Linking to Financial Management

Description: In this episode of the Office Call, hosts John Forbes and Nesta Garner discuss General Charles Q. Brown’s, the 22nd Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Accelerate Change or Lose paper and the linkage to Financial Management.

Podcast mentions:

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel-Kahneman

The Economist Morning Briefing

Work Life with Adam Grant

Net Assessment

Key Battles of the Revolutionary War

Key Battles of the Civil War

The Pulse: MSgt Abbey Oladiti Jun 16, 2021

In this episode of the Office Call, we introduce the Pulse series for the first time in Season 2. The Pulse aims to get Airmen’s perspective about the financial management career field from a technical perspective. Guest host Capt Eric Artman interviews MSgt Abbey Oladiti, the DEAMS SME on the HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA staff at Ramstein AB, Germany.

Resource Training Center - One Year Later Jun 02, 2021

In this episode of the Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews MSgt Sam Spaethe and TSgt Lakindra Favors to see what progress the Resource Training Center (RTC) has made over the past year. Also, they discuss tools and resources the RTC has developed, such as the Financial Information Collaboration Space (FICS), Debt Management Tool, and Money As A Weapon System (MAAWS) training, to name a few, they have delivered to the field. Additionally, the RTC team gives a sneak peek of future tools coming to a Comptroller Squadron near you!

Brigadier General Michael Greiner May 19, 2021

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes and Capt Shawn Hempsey interview Brig Gen Michael Greiner, Comptroller, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command. This is part of Office Call’s leadership series where we have conversations with senior leaders from the Air Force Financial Management community to get to know them better as individuals, gain insights into lessons learned from their successes, as well as challenges they have overcome.

As AFMC’s Chief Financial Officer, Brig Gen Greiner responsible for more than 35% of the Air Force appropriated budget. This includes the financial planning and fiscal execution of the Air Force’s research, development, test, acquisition, and sustainment programs. He serves as principal financial adviser to the AFMC Commander, and as such, is responsible for command policies regarding Chief Financial Officer Act compliance. He is responsible for identifying funding requirements; building the command’s budgets; administering the Air Force Working Capital Fund; executing AFMC’s annual budget program of $60 billion and providing military, civilian, and contractor pay service to 89,000 personnel. He also oversees 3,000 professional financial managers providing vital services supporting the command’s units worldwide, including 10 major bases.

Brig Gen Greiner received his commission from the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at the University of Portland as a distinguished graduate. He is also a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Institute of Technology. He has served in operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Unified Response, and Freedom’s Sentinel. Prior to his current assignment, Brig Gen Greiner served as the Director, Budget Operations and Personnel, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Budget.

Office Call Season 2 Trailer May 12, 2021

In this episode of the Office Call, hosts Lt Col John Forbes and Maj Nesta Garner discuss season two and what is in store for listeners.

Let’s Get Fiscal: Electric Vehicle Chargers Oct 01, 2020

In this episode of the Office Call, we introduce a new series called Let’s Get Fiscal, hosted by Capt Garrett Custons and Lt Matt Chumaceiro. The two interview our Financial Manager experts to hear their stories of innovation and help FMers solve problems. Their guest in this episode is Lt Col Jared Mitchell, and they discuss how he helped install electric vehicle chargers on Travis AFB.

WebEx: The Airmen’s Perspective Sep 24, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, we share another WebEx event hosted by CMSgt Kendall Briscoe, the Executive for Enlisted Matters to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. In this WebEx, CMSgt Briscoe hosts a panel of airmen to share their perspective and hear what is on their minds to better serve them.

The Pulse: SSgt Laurence Limlengco Sep 24, 2020

In this episode of the Office Call, Capt Shawn Hempsey is back with the Pulse series. The Pulse aims to get junior airmen's perspective about the financial management career field and key issues impacting our Air Force. His guest in this episode is SSgt Laurence Limlengco from Hill AFB.

Ms. Jeanette Duncan, Chief Information Officer Sep 17, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews Ms. Jeanette Duncan, Chief Information Officer for the Air Force Financial Management and Comptroller. The two discuss the current state of Air Force financial systems, the use of robotic process automation, near-term and long-term goals for FM systems, and how Airman can get involved.

WebEx: Financial Management and A1 Career Field Manager Discussion Sep 11, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, we share the first of a series of WebEx events hosted by CMSgt Kendall Briscoe, the Executive for Enlisted Matters to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. In this WebEx, CMSgt Heather Stanfield, 3F0 career field manager, joins CMSgt Briscoe and the two discuss priorities for the 6F and 3F career fields, the Air Force Integrated Personnel and Pay Systems, and much more.

Maj Eli Freeman: Senior Professor at the Defense Financial Management & Comptroller School Aug 27, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews Maj Eli Freeman, Senior Professor at the Defense Financial Management & Comptroller School (DFM&CS), Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The two discuss being an academic in the officer corps, the role of DFM&CS in developing financial managers, and a retirement savings project Maj Freemon is leading that could benefit service members and their families across the DoD.

Podcast mentions:

Defense Financial Management & Comptroller School

Shlomo Benartzi: Saving for tomorrow, tomorrow

Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics by Richard Thaler

Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II by Arthur Herman

Debra Benton of Benton Management Resources Aug 20, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews Debra Benton, the founder of Benton Management Resources, a keynote speaker, and executive coach. The two discuss tips and strategies you can implement to develop yourself into a better leader.

Meet Debra…

For over thirty years, my passion has been to help managers and executives take ownership of their career potential. My skill is to give you endless new thinking that challenges your assumptions and explores new behavior outside of your comfort zone. Together we take your leadership style to the next levels — all to create a better future for you and your organization.

I've been honored to work with some of the best and brightest from GE, Microsoft, Pepsi, Novartis, Time-Warner, NASA, American Express, Dell, Kraft Foods, Citicorp, Deloitte, Kellogg's, McDonalds and UAL — to name a few of my client companies.

My ten business books have been published in a dozen different languages, and I've been fortunate to work in eighteen countries and with many more cultural backgrounds.

My expertise has brought front-page coverage in the publications like Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and made me a welcome guest on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, and CBS where I was interviewed by Diane Sawyer.

Condé Nast Portfolio magazine wrote, "Debra Benton is one of the top five coaches to have on speed dial." TopCEOcoaches.com ranked me in the top ten coaches in the world and as the number one female coach in 2013.

My time is divided between advising individuals as their professional mentor and executive coach; speaking to large and small groups; and researching to distill patterns of personal leadership that will enable you to lead the next generation of teams.

My work outside of my company is to teach leadership in Colorado State University's MBA Global Social & Sustainable Enterprise program and serve as an adjunct professor at UNC's Monfort School of Business.

To learn more about Debra Benton, visit her website https://www.debrabenton.com/.

Podcast mentions:

https://conantleadership.com/

Lions Don’t Need to Roar by Debra Benton

The Pulse: SSgt Aviana McKethan Aug 06, 2020

In this episode of the Office Call, we introduce a new series hosted by Capt Shawn Hempsey called The Pulse. It aims to get junior airmen's perspective about the financial management career field and key issues impacting our Air Force. His guest in this episode is SSgt Aviana McKethan, a Financial Analysis Technician at Davis-Monthan AFB.

Officer's Deployments Jul 23, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Col Frank Verdugo interviews Maj Gabe Denny from the Officer’s Assignment Team. The two discuss the officer deployment process.

Dr. Liz Garcia - Resiliency and Vulnerability Jul 16, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews Dr. Liz Garcia, the founder of Courageous Feats. The two discuss suicide, race, inequality, and how leaders can cultivate environments of resiliency to overcome these challenges.

Dr. Garcia works with leaders who feel stuck in the shoulds to own their stories, celebrate the lessons learned from mistakes, and evolve into the person they want to be.

HER MISSION: I know how vulnerable it is to own your story. But I also know that it’s the most excited—frickin’ terrified—and alive I’ve ever felt. My mission is to help you own your story, so that you can feel the freedom of being wholeheartedly YOU, so you’re free to pursue what you want—in the way that you want—and compassionately connect with those around you.

HER PHILOSOPHY: We all have a story—owning it gives you permission to be who you want to be instead of who others believe you should be. Owning your story helps you to make decisions and create boundaries that are aligned to your values. Sharing your story creates a more human connection with others.

To learn more about Dr. Garcia and assistance she can offer, visit her website Courageous Feats.

Podcast mentions:

Dare to Lead by Dr. Brené Brown

The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey

Unlocking Us podcast with Dr. Brené Brown

The Education With Industry Experience Jul 02, 2020

The Education With Industry Experience

Description: In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews Education With Industry (EWI) students Capt Will Liaw and MSgt Inna Lvova. They discuss their experience with Apple and initiatives which we can implement in the Financial Management (FM) to be more efficient. Additionally, we give a sneak peek into the Office Call’s new series called Let’s Get Fiscal where Capt Garrett Custons and Lt Matt Chumaceiro discuss areas where we can implement innovation within FM.

The Air Force EWI Program is a highly selective, competitive, career development program designed to improve the technical, professional, and management competencies of participating students by partnering with top tier public and private sector companies. During the ten-month tour, students embed with an industry team to meet their specific career desired learning objectives. Through hands-on exposure to industry best practices, students develop the necessary competencies, skills, knowledge, and abilities to build, sustain and retain a mission-ready workforce, as well as learn how to better partner with industry in the future. The Program is sponsored by SAF/AQ and managed by the Air Force Institute of Technology.

The ultimate goal of the program is to develop Air Force leaders with greater business acumen and empathy with the expertise to implement innovative practices when they return to the Air Force. Upon completion, graduates are assigned to Air Force duty consistent with their EWI experience.

Podcast mentions:

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

Grit by Angela Duckworth

The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

Change the Culture, Change the Game by Roger Connors and Tom Smith

Stuff You Should Know Podcast

The President’s Inbox Podcast

Microsoft Azure

Chief Master Sergeant Kendall Briscoe Jun 25, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews CMSgt Kendall Briscoe, the Executive for Enlisted Matters to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. This is part of a series of interviews where we have conversations with senior leaders from the Air Force Financial Management community to get to know them better as individuals, gain insights into lessons learned from their successes, as well as challenges they have overcome.

CMSgt Briscoe is the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary on the utilization, training, and assignment of over 2,000 financial management enlisted personnel throughout the Air Force. He serves as the Air Force Career Field Manager for financial management personnel and is the focal point for all functional, training, contingency, manpower and personnel issues with

other Headquarters Air Force offices. He serves as the ambassador between the secretariat and the financial management enlisted force, disseminating career field information and addressing their concerns.

CMSgt Briscoe entered the Air Force from Houston, Texas in 1989 as a Financial Services Apprentice. His background includes various duties in financial management at wing, direct reporting unit, major command and Air Staff. His assignments include bases in Nevada, Washington, Colorado, California and Texas. CMSgt Briscoe also served overseas in Guam,

Korea, Japan and Germany; and deployed in support of Operations FULL ACCOUNTABILITY, INDY BACKFILL, IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Before assuming his current position, Chief Briscoe served as the Chief Enlisted Manager, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Command (USAFE-AFAFRICA), Ramstein, Germany.

Retention in Financial Management Jun 18, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes and Lt Col Dane Franta discuss retention within the Air Force Financial Management (FM) career field. It is said the military as a whole is in a talent war with the private sector. Both entities are seeking to attract and retain capable hardworking innovated individuals who exhibit strong character. The two give their thoughts on retention through the lens of FM as a whole, what the career field should do, and share personal stories from their careers.

Lt Col Dane G. Franta is the 502d Comptroller Squadron Commander for the 502d Air Base Wing, providing support to Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Lt Col Franta directly manages the budget execution and accounting of $450 million used for installation support for the 502d’s 266 mission partners. He is directly responsible for providing pay and travel services to 250,000 active duty, reserve, civilian, and retired personnel, while providing accounting, budgeting, costing, and resource management services. Additionally, he serves as a liaison for all external audits performed at Joint Base San Antonio as well as the financial institution representative for seven banks and credit unions. He leads a staff of 150 personnel across three bases, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, and Joint Base San Antonio- Randolph.

Lt Col Franta graduated from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN in 2004 with a degree in Economics and was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program. He leads without fear to build future leaders.

He strives to challenge the status quo and the concept of doing things the way they’ve always been done. Ultimately, he seeks to manage resources through efficient, yet effective, processes to provide the maximum impact with a logical effort.

Podcast mentions:

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Everything Is F*cked by Mark Manson

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

The Kill Chain by Christian Brose

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Gregory Hays’s translation)

The “Typical” Financial Management Officer Career Path Jun 11, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Col Frank Verdugo interviews Maj Gabe Denny from the Officer’s Assignment Team. They discuss the “typical” career path (if there is one) of an Air Force Financial Management (FM) Officer. While there might not be a typical path, the two discuss types of assignments an FM Officer can expect to have, and when they can expect to do them in their career.

90 Day Command Plan Jun 04, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Maj Nesta Garner and Lt Col John Forbes discuss creating a 90 Day Command Plan, the key elements that should be included, and resources to use.

Podcast mentions:

Major General John Pletcher, Part 2 May 28, 2020

This is the second of a two-part interview with Major General John Pletcher. In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes finishes his interview with Maj Gen John Pletcher.

General Pletcher is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. He is responsible for planning and directing the formulation and execution of the Air Force's budgets totaling more than $160 billion annually. He leads a staff of military and civilian financial managers who develop, integrate, justify and defend Air Force resource requests to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Office of Management and Budget and Congress. He manages and executes funding that supports military operations and Air Force priorities at the direction of the Secretary of Defense and Congress.

General Pletcher received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and was commissioned through the ROTC program in 1988. His Air Force experience includes financial management and comptroller assignments in an Air Force research laboratory, deployed environment, wing level, major command and the Pentagon. He has commanded at the squadron and group level, as well as in the deployed arena. He has served in all three Air Force financial management disciplines, starting out as an accounting and finance officer, before attending the Air Force Institute of Technology Cost Analysis program, and then served in budget assignments at both the major command and Air Staff level. General Pletcher is a 2006 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Prior to this assignment, he was the Comptroller, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Major General John Pletcher, Part 1 May 21, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews Maj Gen John Pletcher, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller. This is the second of a series of interviews where we have conversations with senior leaders from the Air Force Financial Management community to get to know them better as individuals, gain insights into lessons learned from their successes, as well as challenges they have overcome.

General Pletcher is responsible for planning and directing the formulation and execution of the Air Force's budgets totaling more than $160 billion annually. He leads a staff of military and civilian financial managers who develop, integrate, justify and defend Air Force resource requests to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Office of Management and Budget and Congress. He manages and executes funding that supports military operations and Air Force priorities at the direction of the Secretary of Defense and Congress.

General Pletcher received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and was commissioned through the ROTC program in 1988. His Air Force experience includes financial management and comptroller assignments in an Air Force research laboratory, deployed environment, wing level, major command and the Pentagon. He has commanded at the squadron and group level, as well as in the deployed arena. He has served in all three Air Force financial management disciplines, starting out as an accounting and finance officer, before attending the Air Force Institute of Technology Cost Analysis program, and then served in budget assignments at both the major command and Air Staff level. General Pletcher is a 2006 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Prior to this assignment, he was the Comptroller, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Our mentions:

The Knowledge Project Ep. #80 - John Maxwell: Developing the Leader in You

Resource Training Center May 14, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Col Frank Verdugo interviews The Resource Training Center’s newest initial cadre members, TSgt Lakindra Favors, and SSgt Jeffrey Lugo. They discuss what the RTC is and why it is important to the Air Force financial management community.

Colonel Frank Verdugo May 09, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Lt Col John Forbes interviews Col Frank Verdugo, Comptroller, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa. This is the first of a series of interviews where we have conversations with senior leaders from across the Air Force Financial Management community to get to know them better as individuals, gain insights into lessons learned from their successes, as well as challenges they have overcome.

Virtual Comptroller Squadron Commander’s Course Apr 21, 2020

In this episode of Office Call, Maj Nesta Garner is joined by Lt Col John Forbes, Commander, 27th Special Operations Comptroller Squadron, Cannon AFB, New Mexico. The two discuss the Virtual Comptroller Squadron Commander’s Course.

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