New commander for HQ RIO

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Timm Huffman
  • Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization

The organization responsible for managing the Air Force Reserve’s Individual Reserve program saw a change in leadership during a ceremony held at the Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center, June 12.

The Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization welcomed Col. Kelli B. Smiley as its new commander and bid farewell to Col. Carolyn A. Stickell.

Brig. Gen. Ellen Moore, the HQ ARPC commander, presided over the change of command ceremony, transferring the unit guidon from Stickell to Smiley.

Smiley joins HQ RIO as its third commander. Prior to this, she served as the director of Total Force Services at HQ ARPC, which provides personnel support to over 1 million Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and Retired Airmen. Smiley worked closely with all three Air Force components to develop future processes and leverage technology to support Air Force personnel programs for the future.

In her remarks, Moore said the new commander comes with the incredible wealth of knowledge and experience expected of personnel senior leaders. She also noted that Smiley’s service in all components of the Total Force -- active duty, traditional reserve, individual reserve and Active/Guard Reserve -- has prepared her for this role.

“As a former IMA, she understands the challenges they face and is going to give the phenomenal effort she puts into everything to continue the legacy Col. Stickell created, and will keep moving the organization in a forward direction,” said Moore.

After taking command, Smiley noted that while HQ RIO differs from her previous organization in many ways, they are similar in the most important way -- the need for top-notch customer service. This was echoed by Moore, who pointed out that under Smiley’s leadership, the Total Force Service Center had a 95 percent customer satisfaction rate.

Before relocating to Buckley Air Force Base, Smiley was the Chief of ARPC’s Personnel Operations and Systems Integration Operating Location at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. In this role she was the Air Force Reserve representative at the Air Force Personnel Center working toward the successful implementation of Air Force strategic personnel transformation initiatives impacting the Air Force Total Force, including the Total Force Service Center and myPers website.

Smiley was commissioned in 1991 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. She began her career as a behavioral scientist but later cross-trained into the personnel career field. She has performed duties in a variety of assignments at the squadron, joint and HQ Air Force level.

In her closing comments, Smiley committed to bringing her passion and dedication to support HQ RIO and its mission, to work together as a whole organization.

“As you serve others, I will serve you,” said Smiley to the approximately 100 HQ RIO staff members who were present at the ceremony and watching remotely via Skype. “I don’t take this command lightly." 

Smiley’s full biography is available on the HQ RIO website.

Stickell leaves HQ RIO after two years of service, having assumed command in June 2015. She will now serve as chief of the Joint Force Support Division, U.S. Pacific Command. During her tenure, Stickell led many improvements in the management of the 7,200 member strong Individual Reserve force, including standardizing processes across the seven detachments, standing up a force management team, bringing the RIO Connect IMA Mobile Wingman app online and laying the groundwork for moving the IMA Travel Office from Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, to HQ RIO at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, so it is co-located with the HQ RIO Reserve Pay Office.

The outgoing commander leaves for the Pacific after four years of service in and around ARPC. Prior to leading HQ RIO, Stickell was the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the ARPC commander and served on long-term orders assisting with the day-to-day management of the center.

Reflecting on her time with HQ RIO, Stickell said the opportunity to grow an organization at a critical point in its development, surrounded by a group of incredibly talented group of people, was an honor.

“It has truly been my honor to serve as your commander and I hope you can all reflect on how far we’ve come and take great pride and satisfaction in what we’ve accomplished,” said Stickell. “Thank you for making the last two years so incredibly rewarding."

Moore, who presented Stickell with a Legion of Merit medal during the ceremony, said the efforts of the outgoing commander were of the caliber expected from Air Force senior leaders.

“All the things Carolyn has done have been nothing short of stupendous,” said Moore. “But the most important thing in my mind that stands out is her dedication to the mission and her people."