U.S. Army PEO STRI’s Post

Between them in their careers, Lieutenant Colonels Michael C. Pavlisak and Jennifer C. Brewster have earned over 35 medals, ribbons, badges and ribbons in their service to this nation. As they continue serving this nation, their lives have interconnected at PEO STRI. Pavlisak is passing the charter and Brewster is taking on the charge to be the new Product Manager for Combat Training Instrumentation Systems. The Product Manager for Combat Training Instrumentation Systems serves as the executive agent for the development, production, integration, fielding and life cycle support of force-on-target maneuver training at our country’s combat training centers. The outgoing project manager, LTC Pavlisak, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research. Later, he earned an MBA and two master of science degrees. He was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was also further assigned to the Pentagon. Taking over his role, LTC Brewster is a native of North Carolina where she earned her bachelor of art and master’s degrees from Campbell University. She entered the Army in 2005 and attended the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School. She has been stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Gordon, Georgia among others. She transitioned to PEO STRI in 2016 and served as an Assistant Program Manager for the Close Combat Tactical Trainer and the Synthetic Training Environment. After serving other posts, most recently in the Directorate of Integration at Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas, she returned to PEO STRI. We are thankful for the service of LTC Pavlisak and we welcome LTC Brewster. #BeAllYouCanBe #USArmy #Career #leadership #ArmyLife #peoplefirst

PEO STRI welcomed the team from Ethnos Leadership to conduct a powerful personal development workshop. Employees from across PEO STRI participated in the unique course to improve their people-centered leadership skills. The workshop tools used the Ethnos leadership model that emphasizes “Purposeful Relationships, Authentic Accountability, and Professional Responsibility.” The workshop included critical discussions and self-reflection opportunities, so that each person could see how to apply the lessons to their own leadership philosophy. Workshop participants were left with resources on the Ethnos training model, a curriculum to further develop themselves, and a new perspective on leadership. The PEO STRI investment in developing people-focused leaders across its workforce is another example of people being our number one priority. #BeAllYouCanBe #USArmy #Career #education #leadership #peoplefirst

June’s “STRI Lights” live presentation featured Bruce Delaporte, the PEO STRI Director of Talent Management to discuss the talent management team’s strategic plans. During the 45-minute program, he said that his team has been focused on their task to “Invest In Our People,” which has been the driver of everything from recruitment, to training and development and professional mentoring. Delaporte outlined the differences between training and development. “Training is aimed at improving an employee’s current job performance. It focuses on acquiring specific skills or knowledge needed for immediate job tasks,” he said. “Development is more holistic, aiming to grow an individual’s overall career progression.” STRI Lights host Ariana Aubuchon asked Delaporte what “SRIOP” is. He said, “STRIOP, or the PEO STRI Orientation Program is an extension of the overall A3P program that has now been executed 3 times over the last couple of years.” The A3P Program stands for Acquisition Academy Apprentice Program, which is a recruitment, internship and comprehensive training program designed to mentor civilians to success in working with the United States Army. The team also developed a PEO STRI Supervisor Academy, which kicked off last week with 24 supervisors enrolled from across the organization. #BeAllYouCanBe #USArmy #recruiting #Career #GoArmy #education #leadership #peoplefirst #employment

Independence Day celebrates America’s birth and those who developed and adopted the Declaration of Independence. Today, America’s Soldiers carry the patriotism and ideals of the Founders as they serve our nation and defend freedom at home and around the world. The Army remains committed to the Declaration of Independence, a unique and exceptional document that makes America what it is today #USArmy #ArmyHistory #IndependenceDay #starsandstripes #redwhiteandblue #america #usa #freedom #fireworks #redwhiteblue 

PEO STRI celebrated the retirement of our very own “Steamboat Willie,” James F. Dunn after 40 years of illustrious service to our soldiers. Like the star of the first movie featuring Mickey Mouse, James Dunn began his career commanding the rudders of PEO STRI in 2002 as a Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) contractor and project coordinator supporting the project manager of field operations, known now as Product Lead TADSS Support Operations. Fast-forward to 2019, Mr. Dunn assumed duties as the Assistant Program Manager for the Live, Virtual, Constructive-Integrating Architecture. In his spare time, he worked on a part-time basis at the Walt Disney World Resort, starting as a Magic Kingdom park greeter before moving to the WDW Railroad, as a conductor on the back of the train. He eventually moved up to the engine as an Engineer/Fireman. And keep PEO STRI’s engines running he did. Dunn was presented four certificates: the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Certificate of Service, Certificate of Appreciation and the Certificate of Retirement. To close the ceremony, Mr. Dunn’s wife, his co-captain, during his 40 years dedicated to serving our nation, was presented with a Spouse Certificate of Appreciation. #GoArmy #BeAllYouCanBe #USArmy #Retirement #Duty

Lt. Gen Robert A. Rasch, Jr. is the Director of the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He leads the RCCTO to research, develop, and test technologies to keep the Army on the cutting edge. He visited PEO STRI’s headquarters last week to get a high-level overview of our main departments from our project managers. The managers covered how PEO STRI is supporting the Army’s priorities of people, readiness and modernization. #BeAllYouCanBe #USArmy #leadership #readiness #globalsecurity #technology #stem #modernization

The annual Training, Simulation and Industry Symposium (TSIS) was held last week at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The tradeshow is run by the National Training & Simulation Association (NTSA) to provide this industry an opportunity to network and interact with procurement officials for training and simulation products and services from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. And take that opportunity we did, by holding project briefs from PEO STRI’s project managers and their teams during the conference’s Army portion of the event. Our time at the podium included Q&A sessions and a panel discussion. Acquisition strategies, timing, and funding levels were part of the pertinent information shared with the over 300 attendees. Karen D.H. Saunders, SES, Program Executive Officer for PEO STRI, was the keynote speaker and gave opening remarks for the interactive presentation. #USArmy #Career #GoArmy #TSIS #technology #innovation #modernization #cyberdefense #engineering

Pride Month is held each June to commemorate the 1969 riots at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, New York. This became the catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world to achieve equal justice and opportunities. #pridemonth #USArmy #pride #LGBTQ #ArmyStrong

PEO STRI had the honor of attending the celebrations for the Army's 249th Birthday Ball hosted by the AUSA Sunshine Chapter in Orlando, Florida. The evening began with various decorations within our workforce. The Program Executive Officer (PEO), Karen D.H. Saunders, SES, and MAJ Lane Berg, Executive Officer to the PEO, were presented with the Order of Saint Maurice. This award is given to recognize significant contributions to the Infantry Branch by the National Infantry Association and the Chief of Infantry. MAJ Lane's spouse, Ms. Kathryn Berg, also received recognition for her support and sacrifice with the Shield of Sparta, awarded to a spouse who has significantly contributed to the Infantry. Congratulations to all of our awardees. Happy 249th Birthday to the U.S. Army!