ARPC change agent network revived, works toward solutions

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  It’s not uncommon to hear discussions around the water cooler regarding an issue that’s developing around a work center, and it’s not unusual for some employees to feel uncomfortable raising an issue during a commander’s call or town hall meeting.

Brig. Gen. Samuel "Bo" Mahaney, Air Reserve Personnel Center commander, has revived the change agent network, which offers employees the opportunity to be heard on developing issues. A team of change agent sponsors meet monthly to hear updates on different change initiatives within the center and work toward solutions.

“As we drive toward the goals and objectives contained in our strategic plan, momentum continues to build,” Mahaney said. “We are taking proactive steps to get to our objectives. Productive changes are occurring. ARPC change agents are providing robust feedback to help me effectively communicate why and how those changes are in the works.”

Sponsors provide feedback to help ensure proper training in advanced productive change, Mahaney said.

“We are not talking about massive change, or change for the sake of change. This is change occurring one process at a time. It is change led by the teams that own those processes,” Mahaney added. “To ensure proper execution of our strategic plan, we must not only focus on improving performance, but on effective collaboration across the center. We must also focus on agility; our ability to adapt to challenges and opportunities. That’s where the change agents come in. They are the magnifying glass through which we maintain that focus.”

Sponsors recently reviewed and updated the ARPC Change Agent Network Charter, an outline documenting the roles, responsibilities and operating procedures for the team, before presenting it to Mahaney, March 25.

“The team’s purpose is to ensure changes within the center deliver intended results and outcomes by addressing one of the most critical elements of successful change: the people,” said Tech. Sgt. Jorge Charry, change agent network sergeant at arms.

The sponsors are a conduit between ARPC members and leadership to collaborate, influence and change the center from comments received from center professionals. The team is geared to process team issues as opposed to personal issues.

Their mission is to involve ARPC employees with the design of effective communication and training materials for various change initiatives. Sponsors are selected from each directorate, which encourages anybody to present employee concerns to the sponsors so effective solutions can be developed. The team hopes to help employees impacted by a change to embrace, adopt and use that change.

The group currently provides progress to the commander for review on a monthly basis.

Members of the Change Agent Network include:
Lt. Col. Bruce Winhold
Master Sgt. Jeremy Bohn
Tech. Sgt. Jorge Charry
Tech. Sgt. Robert Hazelett
Tech. Sgt. Joel Johnson
Tech. Sgt. Jenny Sanchez Liermann
Tech. Sgt. David Smith
Jessica Garcia Moreno
Penny Newman
Sara Simms