Page 11 - SRNS_Today_August_2021

AUGUST 2021 | SRNS TODAY | 11

THE PEOPLE OF SRNS

Velice Cummings is serving as an SRNS loaned professional to the United
Way of the CSRA; and over the coming weeks, she will work alongside United
Way staff during its annual fall campaign efforts. This loaned professional
effort is an important investment that SRNS and DOE make to support
nonprofit organizations in the region. It also provides unique professional
development opportunities in project management, public speaking and
networking with key business and community leaders.
“Support for loaned professionals is an integral part of the Department of
Energy’s commitment to be an engaged, constructive partner in the regions
where we conduct business,” said DOE-SR Office of External Affairs Director
Amy Boyette. “SRS employees have a great legacy of volunteerism and
partnership with the United Way and its many agencies.”
A Senior Interface Management Specialist with SRNS, Cummings is also a
radio personality with WAAW Shout 94.7 FM and has served in leadership
roles in many local organizations, such as the American Red Cross, City
of Aiken Design and Review Board, and Aiken County Tax Board. She was
Velice Cummings
recognized in 2017 by the Aiken Standard as one of its “Young Professionals
2 Follow.” Cummings earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Science and
Pre-Law from Allen University and a master’s degree in Human Resource
AT SRNS: Senior Interface Management Specialist
Management from Troy University.
“I appreciate this opportunity to give back to our community and build new
relationships over the coming weeks, with our United Way agencies and
IN THE COMMUNITY: SRNS loaned professional to the
United Way of the CSRA businesses,” said Cummings. ”My motto is: ‘if I can help somebody then my
living shall not be in vain.’”

LEAP Design Competition

SRNS Leaders Emerging Among Professionals (LEAP) recently hosted its
first major in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic started – The
LEAP Design Competition. The event followed all required COVID-19
protocols at the time.
This highly anticipated and inaugural team event gave contestants
the opportunity to develop a solution to a prompt derived by SRNS
management: “Create a performance evaluation framework that will Two teams were named winners at the LEAP Design Competition. From left: Orange
enable managers to ensure teleworkers are meeting productivity team members David Barker, Cody Duffy, Madeleine Waller and Jon Wickliffe. Blue team
members Nicholas Carrasco, Hope Nehring, Michael Williams and Zachary Swearingen.
expectations and the SRNS Standards of Excellence.”
Five teams, with each team being made up of three to five LEAP winners – the orange and blue teams. The orange team was made up of
members, worked together to deliver a one-page description of their LEAP members Jon Wickliffe, David Barker, Madeleine Waller and Cody
solution and implementation plan, including estimated costs, man-hours, Duffy. Their proposed solution included quarterly reviews, SMART goals,
timeline and a path to execution. performance indicators and a yearly summary. The blue team was made
up of LEAP members Michael Williams, Hope Nehring, Nicholas Carrasco
“We are so excited to finally host a major in-person event,” said SRNS and Zachary Swearingen. Their proposed solution included a task
LEAP Networking Co-chair Arizona Morgan-Harris. “After so long of tracking tool and weekly status meetings with management.
mostly virtual events, being able to bring our members an opportunity to
attend and participate in the LEAP Design Competition was something “First and foremost, congratulations to both winning teams, and thank
we were all looking forward to.” you to our panel of judges,” said LEAP President Peter Gula. “This
event captures the spirit and creativity of emerging leaders at SRNS.
Teams presented their solutions to a panel of judges. Among these These leaders will shape the future for years to come, and this event
judges were Senior Vice President, Technical Services Mike Swain; showcases the commitment of senior level management to support the
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Sean Alford; development and contributions of emerging leaders. We are excited
and Executive Vice President, NNSA Capital Projects Dave Olson.
for future events and how LEAP will continue to serve its members and
After hearing the solutions from each team, the judges decided on two the company.”