DSS ACCESS, Volume 1, Issue 3 - Defense Security Service (DSS)

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Trading Places It was proposed that Regional Directors trade places around the country for two weeks. The rotation would allow the directors to experience and practice their leadership skills in different operating environments. DSS Field Operations is divided into four geographic regions to better manage the agency’s oversight mission and ensure personnel are located in the areas with the highest concentration of cleared facilities. While Field Operations tries to equalize the workload across the regions, each region has its own unique set of facilities and with it, unique challenges. For instance, the Capital Region is the smallest region geographically, but has the most cleared facilities (approximately 4,325). The Northern Region, on the other hand, stretches from Maine to Detroit, Mich., but has approximately 2,626 cleared facilities. And the Southern (3,600 facilities) and Western (2,700 facilities) Regions have some of the largest manufacturing facilities in the National Industrial Security Program. Recognizing the regional diversity, Richard Lawhorn, Director, Field Operations, asked the Regional Directors (RDs) to develop a plan for a rotation — in effect have the RDs trade places for two weeks. The rotation would allow the RDs to experience and practice their leadership skills in different operating environments. The first such rotation occurred in May with Mike Halter, Northern RD, spending two weeks in San Diego, while Karl Hellmann, Western RD, reported to Boston. “Although we generally do things in the same manner across regions, we all have some unique challenges,” said Halter. “This is not a program where we simply sat in each other’s chair and went home after two weeks. Rather, we performed all aspects of an RD and assumed all the responsibilities of the position.” Hellmann added, “The main idea is to develop consistency from region to region. We want to identify 26 —— http://www.dss.mil best practices and develop a more efficient, consistent approach to leading our regions.” During the rotation, both kept daily journals and shared weekly updates with Lawhorn and other Field Operations leaders. The also provided a full assessment to the leadership team at the conclusion of the rotation. After two weeks on the West Coast, Halter noted, “Not surprisingly, I found our processes are consistent in both the Northern and Western Regions. Our workforce has the same levels of training, dedication, and professionalism, while leadership is focused on agency priorities.” He added that he would continue to recommend crossregional support opportunities “to provide our Industrial Security Representatives and Information Systems Security Professionals exposure and experience working in different operating environments throughout the country.” Of his experience, Hellmann said, “This rotation provided an opportunity to see firsthand how processes in other regions are implemented. It also allowed me to develop better working relationships throughout the field that will have a positive effect on DSS.” Lawhorn added, “I was pleased with the rotation. It was a bit of an experiment, but I believe both Mr. Halter and Mr. Hellmann gained from the experience and I also believe the both regions benefitted as a number of best practices were identified. I plan to continue the RD rotation process with the Capital and Southern Regions next, and we will look to expand the program to Field Office Chiefs, Regional Designated Approving Authorities and senior ISFO Headquarters staff in the coming months.”
Memorial Day Ceremony Recognizes the “Cost of Freedom” “From the American Revolutionary War to present-day operations in Afghanistan, more than a million men and women have died in service to our country. Each Memorial Day, the nation pauses to remember them, and they are the reason we have come together today,” said Stan Sims, DSS Director, at a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony held at the Russell-Knox Building, Quantico, Va., on May 24, 2012. “We are also honoring the memories of the 168 men, women, and children — among them five DSS employees — who died in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. Their service to the nation — and the ultimate price they paid for that service — are in our hearts and memories forever,” Sims added. The ceremony was the brain child of Selena Hutchinson, Office of the Designated Approving Authority and Air Force Veteran. Hutchinson began an annual Memorial Day wreath-laying tradition while she worked at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and wanted to start a similar tradition at DSS. She organized a grass-roots group of DSS veterans who served as ushers, organized a reception, set up chairs and podium and contributed food and funds. In establishing the annual event, Hutchinson also enlisted the support of Sims (an Army veteran) and Barry Sterling, Chief Financial Officer and Director, Business Enterprise (Air Force veteran) who sponsored the ceremony. Sterling provided the Invocation and Benediction for the event and set the stage in his opening prayer by saying, “May we never fail to remember the incredible cost of the freedom which we enjoy.” In her introductory remarks, Hutchinson emphasized that Memorial Day “is not about beaches, it’s not about picnics, and it’s not about auto races”. She said that it is, instead, an opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives defending freedom. “Their sacrifice was important. Their sacrifice was noble. And their sacrifice was permanent,” Hutchinson said. “Everyone who wears the uniform knows that he or she may be called upon to fight and, if necessary, make the ultimate sacrifice for the most precious and costly of gifts: freedom,” said Sims during his keynote address. “I want to be clear: freedom is a gift. It has been paid for by those who gave everything to defend it, and we stand here today on the shoulders of those who answered the call.” Sims also acknowledged and thanked the 16 Wounded Warrior veterans serving as part of the DSS family; some of whom were present for the occasion. As DSS employees, veterans and building occupants looked on, Sims and Hutchinson placed a wreath at the base of the DSS flag pole while Marine Corporal Kenneth Harper, a bugler from the Quantico Band, sounded Taps. PHOTOS: Marine Corporal Kenneth Harper, a bugler from Marine Corps Base Quantico Band, sounds Taps. DSS Director Stan Sims and Selena Hutchinson, ISFO Office of the Designated Approving Authority and event coordinator, lay a wreath at the ceremony. http://www.dss.mil —— 27
Page 2 and 3: CONTENTS FALL 2012 4 27 30 SPOTLIGH
Page 4 and 5: SPOTLIGHT Partnership Upon his arri
Page 6 and 7: SPOTLIGHT The survey measured FSOs
Page 8 and 9: DSS marks 40 th anniversary This ye
Page 10 and 11: that DoDSI, the DoD Polygraph Insti
Page 12 and 13: 26 facilities By Laura Aghdam NISP
Page 14 and 15: New FOCI Collocation Review Process
Page 16 and 17: The following account for 92% of in
Page 18 and 19: DSS CASE STUDY NISP Compliance In D
Page 20 and 21: First Students Complete College, Gr
Page 22 and 23: DSS Outfits Data Center West New in
Page 24 and 25: DSS Provides Key Support TO NEW Exp
Page 28 and 29: news briefs DSS Hotline Available F
Page 30 and 31: Around the regionS Alexandria Field
Page 32 and 33: Around the RegionS San Antonio Fiel
Page 34 and 35: Around the RegionS Employees Obtain

DSS ACCESS, Volume 1, Issue 3 - Defense Security Service (DSS)

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