USTRANSCOM’s deputy commander speaks at Webster University

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Webster University hosted its Second Annual Sustainability Conference on Friday, April 12, at the main campus in Webster Groves. 

This year’s theme, “Sustainability: Our Common Future,” served as a forum for academia, researchers, and business and community leaders to share in dialogue about issues related to sustainability, both in the local St. Louis community and around the world.

Webster faculty invited Lt. Gen. Kathleen Gainey, Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, as a featured speaker.

Gainey discussed two areas of focus directly relating to making USTRANSCOM a more sustainable organization in the future.   

First, according to Gainey, USTRANSCOM is reliant on worldwide infrastructure availability to support the vital capability of global mobility, moving people, equipment and supplies—anywhere, at anytime. She explained the importance of preserving and improving the strategic infrastructure system to become a more efficient and effective organization. 

In order to ensure mission success, USTRANSCOM is working to improve both physical and cyber-related transportation capabilities and capacities, Gainey said.

Secondly, just as USTRANSCOM collaborates with its combatant commanders, it must collaborate with industry.  Developing a customer-focused workforce is key when establishing and strengthening relationships. 

Gainey explained the necessity of listening to the customers’ needs, ensuring that USTRANSCOM has the flexibility to provide all services required, as well as helping customers solve their problems before they become problems. 

“When you have trust, you start collaborating,” Gainey said.  “When you collaborate, it begins to plant seeds of trust.  Then innovation begins again.”

According to Gainey, USTRANSCOM continues to move forward with the implementation of its strategy, “Our Story: 2013-2017,” reshaping its culture in an effort to become a more effective, efficient organization. 

In turn, “we are becoming a more sustainable organization, ensuring we continue to make amazing things happen,” Gainey said.

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