| Speaker: Beth Bradshaw - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) |
| Beth Bradshaw of the Homeland Security Agency - USCBP - highlighted the personnel security and suitability programs. Her presentation was stellar! She discussed the USCBP expansion and the large case load of background investigations to come. Audience members raised concerns about frequent unsuitability of the applicants that the investigators are seeing. We can meet the challenges of filling these positions by maintaining optimism and staying focused on investigations and conducting our business in a professional manner. - - - Jean Messick, Northwestern Region Director |
| Speaker: Karen McCord - Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) |
During the 2007 National Conference of the AFCIA, Karen McCord; DIA Chief
of Adjudications gave an informative presentation of her agency's progressive
steps and interim goals to improve their internal security clearance process.
Ms. McCord explained her agency's procedural tasks of preparing an
applicant as well as current employees for the full field investigation as well as
the preliminary interview conducted by their staff special agents.
Ms. McCord also highlighted the agency's polygraph policy and the necessity
for the controversial "Interim Clearance." She stated that statistically there is
less than a three percent rejection rate of newly hired probationary employees
receiving an interim clearance that is subsequently revoked as a result of the
polygraph and/or the field investigation therefore this practice will continue as
the need for qualified applicants to serve in sensitive positions of National
Security is within the acceptable risk parameters set forth by the agency's top
management.
Ms. McCord also explained the need for field investigators to deliver a
thorough and complete investigation. She stated that in many cases,
investigators are not fully exploring the SUBJECT's finances and in particular
their association and contact frequency of the foreign national to include
name, address, citizenship, occupation, approximate age and if the non-U.S.
citizen is aware of the pending employment.
The speaker also commented and with documented examples to corroborate
her statement of some field investigators are being less than impartial in their
investigative effort. Ms. McCord produced letters of recommendation for the
SUBJECT from the field investigator that conducted the investigation. She
also produced items extracted from case ROI's that contained statements of
affirmation from the field investigator which is in direct conflict of the
investigator's mission to find truth and not become personally involved with
the SUBJECT as any recommendation; good or bad, jeopardizes his/her
position of neutrality.
In closing, Ms. McCord gave an excellent presentation and expressed her
sincere interest and concern of the investigative and adjudication process. It
was clearly evident and convincing that she is genuinely self-driven
in the best interest of our country's National Security interests and fully
supportive of the American Federal Contract Investigator's Association. - - -
Matt Baumgartner, Mid Atlantic Regional Director
of Adjudications gave an informative presentation of her agency's progressive
steps and interim goals to improve their internal security clearance process.
Ms. McCord explained her agency's procedural tasks of preparing an
applicant as well as current employees for the full field investigation as well as
the preliminary interview conducted by their staff special agents.
Ms. McCord also highlighted the agency's polygraph policy and the necessity
for the controversial "Interim Clearance." She stated that statistically there is
less than a three percent rejection rate of newly hired probationary employees
receiving an interim clearance that is subsequently revoked as a result of the
polygraph and/or the field investigation therefore this practice will continue as
the need for qualified applicants to serve in sensitive positions of National
Security is within the acceptable risk parameters set forth by the agency's top
management.
Ms. McCord also explained the need for field investigators to deliver a
thorough and complete investigation. She stated that in many cases,
investigators are not fully exploring the SUBJECT's finances and in particular
their association and contact frequency of the foreign national to include
name, address, citizenship, occupation, approximate age and if the non-U.S.
citizen is aware of the pending employment.
The speaker also commented and with documented examples to corroborate
her statement of some field investigators are being less than impartial in their
investigative effort. Ms. McCord produced letters of recommendation for the
SUBJECT from the field investigator that conducted the investigation. She
also produced items extracted from case ROI's that contained statements of
affirmation from the field investigator which is in direct conflict of the
investigator's mission to find truth and not become personally involved with
the SUBJECT as any recommendation; good or bad, jeopardizes his/her
position of neutrality.
In closing, Ms. McCord gave an excellent presentation and expressed her
sincere interest and concern of the investigative and adjudication process. It
was clearly evident and convincing that she is genuinely self-driven
in the best interest of our country's National Security interests and fully
supportive of the American Federal Contract Investigator's Association. - - -
Matt Baumgartner, Mid Atlantic Regional Director
| Distinguished Speaker Brigadier General Angela Salinas, USMC |
As our keynote speaker Brigadier General Angela Salinas, who is the
Commanding General of MCRD San Diego, CA and Commanding General,
Western Recruiting Region, appeared on the second day. Gen Salinas is a
very engaging and polished speaker who held the entire group's attention
during her talk. The General told us how she was in college when she met a
US Marine recruiter and enlisted in the US Marine Corps that lead her later
commissioning as a Marine Corps Officer. It was also interesting to see how
the Marine Corps while still maintaining it's core warrior values has changed
to accommodate today's recruit and yet still can be discriminating in it's
selection of only the best. It is noted that in spite of the continuing war in Iraq,
the Marines still have no problem meeting their manpower (and women
power) goals in today's volunteer military force. The General also didn't
dance around the question put to her at the end from our group and it is easy
to see after hearing her motivational talk why she is a General Officer in the
USMC. - - - Weldon Keating, AFCIA Board Member (and Marine!)
Commanding General of MCRD San Diego, CA and Commanding General,
Western Recruiting Region, appeared on the second day. Gen Salinas is a
very engaging and polished speaker who held the entire group's attention
during her talk. The General told us how she was in college when she met a
US Marine recruiter and enlisted in the US Marine Corps that lead her later
commissioning as a Marine Corps Officer. It was also interesting to see how
the Marine Corps while still maintaining it's core warrior values has changed
to accommodate today's recruit and yet still can be discriminating in it's
selection of only the best. It is noted that in spite of the continuing war in Iraq,
the Marines still have no problem meeting their manpower (and women
power) goals in today's volunteer military force. The General also didn't
dance around the question put to her at the end from our group and it is easy
to see after hearing her motivational talk why she is a General Officer in the
USMC. - - - Weldon Keating, AFCIA Board Member (and Marine!)
| Speaker: Scott Meier, VP, OMNIPLEX Challenges Facing Contractors Meeting Agency Goals |
Attending the Conference in San Diego was exciting and informative. I had the
opportunity to meet fellow investigators from around the country, and enjoy
conversation with new friends. The lecture Scott Meier of OMNISEC, regarding
the Challenges Facing Contractors Meeting Agency Goals was insightful and a
close up perspective from the view point of the Contractor and what they face
in managing the various contracts that we work, and sometimes the difficulties
that are faced in making a profit, meeting the deadlines imposed, and keeping
the Investigators that they work with happy at the same time. Scott Meier was
able to show how the contracts work from the contractor perspective, which
puts us all on the same page, in meeting the common goal of the agencies that
ultimately pay us. I felt that Scott Meier conveyed a clear message to the
members at the Conference and I'm sure he would be welcomed back next
year. - - - Chet Freeman, Northeastern Regional Director
opportunity to meet fellow investigators from around the country, and enjoy
conversation with new friends. The lecture Scott Meier of OMNISEC, regarding
the Challenges Facing Contractors Meeting Agency Goals was insightful and a
close up perspective from the view point of the Contractor and what they face
in managing the various contracts that we work, and sometimes the difficulties
that are faced in making a profit, meeting the deadlines imposed, and keeping
the Investigators that they work with happy at the same time. Scott Meier was
able to show how the contracts work from the contractor perspective, which
puts us all on the same page, in meeting the common goal of the agencies that
ultimately pay us. I felt that Scott Meier conveyed a clear message to the
members at the Conference and I'm sure he would be welcomed back next
year. - - - Chet Freeman, Northeastern Regional Director
The AFCIA attendees had the extreme pleasure to hear two representatives
(names withheld) from National Security Agency, Ft. Mead, MD, address the
NSA clearance process and discuss the Agency's criteria for clearance. The
Agency relies very heavily on cleared contract personnel vice full time civil
service employees, which was evidenced by the statistics which reflected
that from FY05 through FY07, there were approximately 17,900 contractor
clearances processed, of which about 16,400 individuals were cleared.
Without a complete and thorough investigation encompassing the 13
required adjudicative criteria conducted by experienced contract
investigators these statistics could not be achieved.
In order for individuals to be granted a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented
Clearance (SCI) the candidate must be stable, trustworthy, reliable and of
excellent character, possess unquestionable judgment and discretion as well
as demonstrating unquestionable loyalty to the U.S.
The presentation included a slide presentation which covered the 13
adjudicative guidelines on which the personnel security investigation is
based.
The speakers representing the National Security Agency were well received
by the Conference Attendees and greatly appreciated. - - Mary Cullings, Vice
President, AFCIA
(names withheld) from National Security Agency, Ft. Mead, MD, address the
NSA clearance process and discuss the Agency's criteria for clearance. The
Agency relies very heavily on cleared contract personnel vice full time civil
service employees, which was evidenced by the statistics which reflected
that from FY05 through FY07, there were approximately 17,900 contractor
clearances processed, of which about 16,400 individuals were cleared.
Without a complete and thorough investigation encompassing the 13
required adjudicative criteria conducted by experienced contract
investigators these statistics could not be achieved.
In order for individuals to be granted a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented
Clearance (SCI) the candidate must be stable, trustworthy, reliable and of
excellent character, possess unquestionable judgment and discretion as well
as demonstrating unquestionable loyalty to the U.S.
The presentation included a slide presentation which covered the 13
adjudicative guidelines on which the personnel security investigation is
based.
The speakers representing the National Security Agency were well received
by the Conference Attendees and greatly appreciated. - - Mary Cullings, Vice
President, AFCIA
| John Danna, Program Manager, OMNIPLEX Bicycle Credentials |
John Danna, Program Manager, Bicycle Project, OMNISEC, reported that
there will be a mandatory Credential change for all current OMNISEC Bicycle
Contract Investigators. The new credentials to be provided by the Customer
will indicate OPM as the issuing Agency. There is no change in the Bicycle
contract.
Several CI's indicated that this change could possibly impact our ability to
gain access to areas, particularly Military facilities and industrial contractors,
as they are aware that OPM investigators do not possess a security
clearance. No one ever had an issue with access while carrying existing
credentials.
Mr. Danna stated that the Customer has made this determination and that if
problems are encountered after the change, they should be reported. - -
Mary Cullings, Vice President, AFCIA
there will be a mandatory Credential change for all current OMNISEC Bicycle
Contract Investigators. The new credentials to be provided by the Customer
will indicate OPM as the issuing Agency. There is no change in the Bicycle
contract.
Several CI's indicated that this change could possibly impact our ability to
gain access to areas, particularly Military facilities and industrial contractors,
as they are aware that OPM investigators do not possess a security
clearance. No one ever had an issue with access while carrying existing
credentials.
Mr. Danna stated that the Customer has made this determination and that if
problems are encountered after the change, they should be reported. - -
Mary Cullings, Vice President, AFCIA
| Sponsored Events |
ADC did an amazing job of making us feel
appreciated. The food was wonderful and
the endless cocktails were beyond what
one would expect. The event provided a
relaxed opportunity to meet with peers
where we could discuss our job contracts,
joys and challenges in background
investigations. The reception was truly an
enjoyable event that added to the
conference itself. Thanks to ADC for their
generous contribution and hosting of
such a fun event.
appreciated. The food was wonderful and
the endless cocktails were beyond what
one would expect. The event provided a
relaxed opportunity to meet with peers
where we could discuss our job contracts,
joys and challenges in background
investigations. The reception was truly an
enjoyable event that added to the
conference itself. Thanks to ADC for their
generous contribution and hosting of
such a fun event.
Thank you MSM for your hosting the
Breakfast! The continental breakfast
helped us start our day in good manor.
The set up in the back of the conference
room let us casually go again for juice,
coffee or pastries.
Breakfast! The continental breakfast
helped us start our day in good manor.
The set up in the back of the conference
room let us casually go again for juice,
coffee or pastries.
| AFCIA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2007 |
ADC Reception
| Art Cordova, President & Brenda Cordova, VP |
Dean Hyde, VP
MSM Continental Breakfast
| Harry Collier, Program Manager |
| Joe Pallazzo, Dir, Field Ops |
Jean Messick, Northwestern Regional Director
