Information Technology Insights Pair With Breakfast

The chapter's Young AFCEANs hosted a breakfast in September with Col. Alvin Burse, USAF, senior materiel leader/system program manager (SPM), and chief, Air Force Legacy Logistics Sustainment Division, who shared insights about information technology management with service members, civilians and industry representatives at the Hilton Garden Inn in Montgomery, Alabama. He began the Business Over Breakfast event by pointing out that increased Defense Department spending on information technology is a good indicator of its importance. But with increased emphasis on information technology comes increased emphasis on solid information technology management. He went on to talk about some of the benefits of managing information technology at a single location, including consistency, economy of scale and interoperability. Col. Burse also mentioned some of the challenges that the Air Force's aging information technology systems present: for example, dwindling expertise for old programming languages and technology. The colonel encouraged leaders to delegate decisions to experts at the lowest levels possible who are responsible for changes that can be made, and he said not to be afraid to change course when necessary. Col. Burse held a question-and-answer session following his presentation, and attendees networked.

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