Lt. Col. Camille Morgan emphasizes the importance of people, service and making an impact

Lt. Col. Camille Morgan is the new product manager (PdM) for the Army Contract Writing System (ACWS) at PEO EIS — a role she assumed on July 19, 2024. Before joining ACWS — which is part of the Defense Integrated Business Systems (DIBS) portfolio — Morgan completed a Training with Industry fellowship at global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, and brings with her a passion for collaboration, teamwork and taking care of people. She was most recently assigned to the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC), where she served as a proponency officer to the director of USAASC and director of Acquisition Career Management at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She spent some time with us answering questions about her life and career. 

Where did you grow up? 

I was born in Jamaica, West Indies, in the Saint Ann’s Bay Parish. My mother and I immigrated from Jamaica to the Bronx, New York, in 1988. I was raised in New Rochelle, New York, Westchester County, but I am an island girl through and through. 

What made you decide to serve and join the Army? 

After my high school graduation, I enlisted in the Army to secure the GI Bill to pay for college. Being 17 years old at the time, and the oldest of five children, I was motivated to leave home early and find my way in the world. I knew I had to secure a college degree and a career to become independent, financially stable and successful in life.

While I initially joined the Army for the GI Bill, I continue to serve today because I love what I do! I find tremendous satisfaction in helping others accomplish their goals. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. For me, it is all about service and impact. My goal has always been to leave a positive impact on my team, the organization and my community, no matter where I serve. 

Tell us about some of your interests and activities outside of the office. 

One of my favorite things to do is travel. I absolutely love it! I also enjoy gardening and physical activities, such as running, lifting weights and yoga. Spending time with family and friends is also important to me. I volunteer a few times each month within the local Washington, D.C., area. Just recently, I spent a few hours at Rock Creek Park, where I helped the team remove invasive plants and trash from the park. Volunteering is another form of selfless service that can have a positive impact in this world. That means a lot to me.

Who are some other military personnel in leadership roles you admire and why? 

I unequivocally admire Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Scott Dingle, the former Army Surgeon General, as well as former Army Contracting Command Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Paul Pardew, Command Sgt. Maj. Jill Crosby, and Ms. Danielle Moyer (SES). I admire these leaders because they are passionate about their craft, and they take care of people. 

Part of taking care of people is providing feedback — even when it is not positive. I have received honest feedback from each of these great leaders on many occasions. Quite often, senior leaders shy away from providing feedback because it can be an uncomfortable conversation for the individual receiving it. But feedback is important. You cannot grow if you are comfortable. 

I also respect and admire my fellow PEO EIS and DIBS PdMs, and the contract specialists and contracting officers within the contracting community. “If you want it fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – Unknown. The acquisition profession is a team sport! I appreciate the 33,359 acquisition professionals who work passionately to deliver capabilities and take care of Soldiers. From industry to Army Materiel Command to ASA(ALT), we are all working together to remove barriers and enable the Soldier to get after the mission.

What are you most excited about in your new role at PEO EIS?

I am most excited to work with the PM DIBS, ACWS product office, and Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement (ODASA(P)) teams to deliver capabilities to the end user community. The contracting community is near and dear to me for so many reasons. I began my acquisition career as a Capt. and later as an 1102 (contracting field) at the Corps of Engineers in Huntsville, Alabama. As a former contract specialist and warranted contracting officer, I have used the Standard Procurement System, Procurement Automated Data and Document System, and Corps of Engineers Financial Management System. 

I am also excited about leading the team that will meet the Army contracting community’s current and future missions. I am passionate about people and want them to recognize that the goal is not to be perfect, but rather to be better today. That is why I am thrilled to be part of the legacy to deliver a world-class, single, enterprise-wide contract writing and management solution at the speed of relevance!