United States Transportation Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., (Jan. 5, USTCNS) --- The United States Transportation Command today opened 8,600 square feet of office space in Fairview Heights, Ill. to house 60 employees who will integrate and automate the worldwide command's billing and accounting services.

"As the first initiative approved by the Secretary of Defense's Business Management Modernization Program (BMMP) for the Accounting and Finance Domain, this office will have a profound impact on the way USTRANSCOM and the Department of Defense do business," Mr. Arthur Coleman, USTRANSCOM Director of Program Analysis and Financial Management, said at the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

One of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's top 10 priorities, BMMP is chartered to streamline DOD processes, shorten budget and acquisition timelines by 50 percent, and advance financial management reforms. Making these changes will require a major mindset shift.

"This team of military, government civilian and contract employees is developing the vision for standardized business processes across the Army, Navy, and Air Force," according to Mr. John Senn, functional manager for the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management Systems (DEAMS). "This improves financial visibility of the Department of Defense distribution pipeline enabling new efficiencies and synchronization - a key element in our new responsibility as the Distribution Process Owner."

In September 2003, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld designated USTRANSCOM as DOD Distribution Process Owner (DPO). The combatant command, headquartered here at Scott AFB, is now responsible for directing and supervising strategic distribution and for synchronizing all participants in end-to-end supply, transportation and distribution.

The new designation for USTRANSCOM realigns the command's traditional port-to-port or theater-to-theater operational bracket to include all aspects of distribution, from factory to foxhole.

"Today when we move cargo, our customers receive a separate bill for each segment. Reconciling multiple bills for movement by truck or rail, air or sealift is very confusing," Senn explained. "When DEAMS is fielded, we will provide USTRANSCOM's customers a one-stop, single resource for billing. We'll be able to track and monitor individual accounts, standardize financial products and provide customers a single place for answers."

Lt. Col. John Gomez, deputy functional manager for DEAMS, said there was no room for the new staff at the Air Force base. He said several fragmented work groups are now consolidated into a centralized task force, part of the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System.

Gomez said that in addition to traditional office space, the Fairview Heights office provides video teleconferencing and meeting facilities. He said the lease brings in additional revenue plus jobs for the local economy.

USTRANSCOM expands into Fairview Heights - New offices house accounting services for worldwide command

Follow Us On: