Focus on yourself and take charge of your career were the main messages delivered Oct. 2 by the guest speaker at the McNamara Headquarters Complex’s National Hispanic Heritage Month event, hosted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
David Jimenez, director of the U.S. Army Evaluation Center, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., presented “Building Blocks to Becoming a Senior Executive Service Member” to an audience of employees from the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Technical Information Center and DCAA.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Jimenez took attendees on a journey through his career, starting as a GS-7, and offered tips and advice to achieving a successful government career.
“My mom told me I could be anything I wanted to be,” he said. “You are an American citizen, so just do well in school and you will achieve good things. She was right.”
He said times are changing for Latinos, citing statistics such as the rising number of Latinos currently enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities – 2 million – and the election of three Hispanic state governors and one U.S. senator.
“We are on the right path, but we all need to strive to do better and close the education gap,” he said.
Jimenez outlined five elements for a successful career: leading change, leading people, getting results, using business acumen and building coalitions with mentors and leaders.
His family moved from New York to New Jersey and then to Puerto Rico, where Jimenez obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Puerto Rico. After college, he got a job with the Army, where he met a man who would become his mentor.
“Paul was one of those people who didn’t fit the mold. He didn’t wear a tie or suit, but everyone listened to him when he spoke and went to him for advice,” Jimenez said. “He took me under his wing and taught me what it is to be an Army professional.”
Jimenez said he is where he is today because of Paul.
“Being a leader means you need to take on hard challenges and figure out the answers yourself.” Jimenez said. “Leadership means looking for opportunities to contribute and make sure you get results.”
Phil Hepperle, director of equal employment opportunity at DCAA, thanked everyone who put the program together and reinforced Jimenez’s message.
“The single person in charge of your career is you. Take ownership of where you want to go in life,” he said.
Susan Chadick, general counsel of DCAA, said National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
“Sept. 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua,” she said.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover the 30-day period. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.