ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Community and business leaders from the surrounding area had a first-hand opportunity to see Andrews' mission and teamwork at the first Andrews Leadership Summit held at The Club at Andrews Wednesday.
The Summit was hosted by Col. Steven Shepro, 316th Wing commander, and more than 85 business, community and base leaders attended. The Summit's primary purpose was sharing information on contracting, joint basing and base realignment and closure, or BRAC, and the effects these programs will have on the base.
"Through this summit, it's our hope that business and community leaders in our area have a better understanding of the impacts of joint basing and BRAC as it relates to Andrews," said Lt. Col. Eric Obergfell, 316th Contracting Squadron commander. "In the near future, we'll have over 2,500 folks move to the base and we'll be building new facilities for those folks. In addition, we'll be building several other mission facilities to support new missions brought on by the base realignment."
One of the primary objectives of the summit was to give business and community leaders a clear picture for where the base is headed in the future, he said.
"President Obama has talked a lot about transparency in government in recent months and that's what we want to achieve here," Colonel Obergfell said. "We want to build and strengthen relationships with the surrounding community to support the 'Andrews Way.'" He explained that the 'Andrews Way' is to provide presidential-level support to all base customers.
"We are so pleased to develop and strengthen ties with the base community today," Bill McGhee, Pohanka Automotive Group Credit Union Services director said. "It's a great chance to interact with others and find out about Andrews' future and role in our area. Mr. Pohanka has been in this area since 1919 and with Andrews and the base community so close to us, it would be great to further develop a close relationship with base leadership and the Airmen on this base."
Colonel Shepro emphasized the importance of Andrews' role in the community and the significance behind the base's selection as the first Air Force-lead Joint Force Base.
"We have pride in our mission and together as a team our future is bright," said Colonel Shepro. "We're reaching out to business and community leaders today because success in the local community works just as it does with our team here at Andrews - when we work together, the mission is successful and that's what we're aiming for."