Capt. Lucas Sawtelle supports a leader who cares

Capt. Lucas Sawtelle, Ms. Chérie Smith’s executive officer, is a valued member of the PEO EIS team. A Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level II certified Program Manager, he plans to complete his DAWIA Level III coursework in the next 18 months.

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he joined the Army as a college option officer candidate and received his commission as a Quartermaster officer in Fort Benning, Georgia. During his Army service, he managed logistics and retrograde operations for four Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan. When not working, Sawtelle enjoys exploring Washington, DC, and Virginia with his wife. Sawtelle answered six questions about his career and life.

What does a good leader do?
There is a science and an art to good leadership. Some people are good at one and struggle with the other. Great leaders embrace and excel in both areas.

For the science part of leadership, a good leader knows and understands the mission. They understand the goal of the mission and the challenges associated with that goal. They also understand the technical aspects of their mission. Great leaders can have weaknesses in this area, but they know that it is a weakness and put in effort to learn and grow in that area. However, potentially more importantly, they also surround themselves with people who are strong in their weak areas.

There is also a more subjective side of leadership. That subjective aspect of leadership falls into the “art” of leadership. This includes thinking outside the box to solve problems. It also includes working with people and truly knowing your people. All of the great leaders I have known and worked with understood their people: their strengths, weaknesses, personalities and how they like to be motivated and appreciated. Great leaders want their people to grow and improve even if it means they grow out of their current position.

People will make mistakes and have weaknesses in certain areas. Great leaders will help their people understand those mistakes and weaknesses and provide the necessary support to help them improve. Once leaders provide the opportunity and tools to improve, they hold people accountable for their decisions and actions. A great leader takes responsibility and gives credit!  

Who inspires you?
Ms. Smith inspires me every day. She has mastered the art and science of leadership. Before I became her executive officer, I knew she understood the mission and her people, but I did not have a true appreciation for how great she actually is. I see her go from meeting to meeting with senior leaders, industry and subordinate organizations. She can speak on a technical level to all of those groups. She knows her programs inside and out and can seamlessly transition in conversation from one program to the next. She sincerely cares about the success of PEO EIS and its programs. She also genuinely cares about the people. She wants us all to succeed and be the best version of ourselves.

Why is PEO EIS a special place to work?
The people inside PEO EIS are absolutely incredible. Our leaders put the mission first and genuinely care about their people. I have a unique opportunity to interact with people at every level of leadership inside PEO EIS and the vast majority of them are outstanding. The leadership from the Deputy O6 level and above sincerely care about their workforce.

The Army Acquisition Corps is highly selective. In my first assignment as an acquisitions officer supporting the Army Contract Writing System, I expected to work with a group of competitive peers who would fight for the best officer evaluation report (OER). Much to my surprise, I worked with high-performing people who supported each other. At PEO EIS, people understand that when we support each other, we all succeed. Helping our peers succeed and look good reflects well on everyone.

During my time in PEO EIS I have also had the pleasure to work with a group of civilians and contractors who never cease to amaze me with their knowledge, understanding and willingness to help.

What do you attribute to your career success?
I have been blessed with the opportunity to support great leaders like Ms. Smith and PEO EIS Chief of Staff Matt Russell. Of course, hard work and dedication are important, but I have had the good fortune to work with leaders, peers, and even subordinates who have trained, mentored and supported me.

How has PEO EIS responded to the COVID-19 situation?
PEO EIS senior leaders are doing everything in their power to prioritize the health and wellbeing of the workforce. We are maximizing telework to minimize risk. During this season of uncertainty, we are working together to get the mission done.

If you could thank one person for the role they played in your life, who would it be and why?
My mother! She has been a consistent rock in my life. She raised my brother and me as a single parent while working as a finance master sergeant in the Army. She instilled in me faith, character, gratitude and a strong work ethic. She always put others first—normally my brother and me. She taught me so many valuable life lessons. She is someone I love, respect and trust.