Get to know the PEO EIS budget officer

As an Army budget officer, there are few finance challenges that Adam Bross hasn’t resolved. He is adept at managing uncertainty, including long-term continuing resolutions and shifting Army priorities.

“After 12 years at PEO EIS, I have seen a lot of people come and go,” Bross said. “Most people don’t enter PEO EIS as an expert, but a lot of people leave as one.”

No stranger to hard work, Bross started his civilian career working for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in financial management at George Mason University. “In high school, I wanted a car so I could drive around and be free,” Bross said. “So I found a job at DISA. At that time, DISA’s office was right off Columbia Pike. I would wake up at 6 a.m. to get to work at 7 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’d be at school taking courses at George Mason University all day.”

Bross, today’s #PEOEISTeammateTuesday and a recent headquarters Star of the Quarter awardee, answered questions about his career and life.

Name two things you can’t do without in a day.
I need cold-brew coffee and the General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS). I use GFEBS every day to analyze numbers in the accounting system. I could not function one day without GFEBS.

Describe your leadership style. 
I lead by example and never ask my team to do something that I couldn’t or wouldn’t do.

If I can't explain how to do a task to one of my teammates and justify why we should be doing it, I won’t assign it to them. I always try to put myself in that person's shoes and relay the information from their perspective.

What does a good leader do?
A good leader puts people in positions to succeed.

What does a good leader not do?
A good leader does not foster unrealistic expectations. You have to deal with reality on reality’s terms. 

What is the best advice you received?
Mike Rowe said, “Work ethic is important because, unlike intelligence, athleticism, charisma or any other natural attribute, it’s a choice.”

You can’t control the things you can’t control, but you can control your work ethic.

Hard work beats talent. Some things come easier to others, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines. Hard work and preparation will tip the scale in your favor.

What do you enjoy the most about your work?
I enjoy working with the business management directors. They execute exceptionally well.

The Army relies on PEO EIS business systems. When my buddy deployed to Afghanistan for three years, he used the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army to report his time and Global Combat Support System – Army to acquire equipment for his platoon.  

What do you consider the key to your success?
I am consistent. Every day at work, I hold myself accountable for certain tasks. I apply the same discipline to exercise. I do at least 100 push-ups every day. It doesn't matter how I get them in. I do two sets of 50 or 10 sets of 10.

What is something you learned the hard way?
If you continue to work hard, it will get recognized. Someone will notice it. You are not always going to get the same fair shake as everyone else, but you should continue to put in the time and effort. Even if you're in a bad spot now, that doesn't mean it's going to stay that way. Leadership changes, and someone will recognize your hard work.

If you could have coffee with anyone in history or present day, who would it be?
Nikola Tesla. I'd like to understand where he thought we would be if we had embraced his great inventions during his lifetime.

When I was in college, math came easy to me, but I struggled with advanced calculus and had to get a math tutor. In calculus, there are no numbers in equations — just symbols and letters. My math tutor asked me where my family was from before migrating to America. I told him that my dad is from Croatia. The tutor replied, “Oh, you’ve got good genes. You've got Nikola Tesla genes; this will be easy.” It wasn't easy, but that made me read up on Nikola Tesla and learn about the cool things he invented.

What advice do you have for companies interested in working for PEO EIS?
Bring your “A” game. If you can’t deliver, don’t compete.

What’s the most valuable virtue?
Honesty. Just tell me the truth, so we can deal with things in reality. That's always a hard thing with finance because they don't want to tell you why. Rather than hiding behind smoke and mirrors, just tell me the truth, and we'll work it from there.

Who is your hero?
My favorite superhero is Batman (The Dark Knight version), but “hero” takes on a different meaning as you age. I get most of my inspiration from the folks I work with every day. Everyone is dealing with life, family and surprises — but we all show up to accomplish the mission.

Who inspires you? 
My kids. I want to be as good as they think I am.

If you could thank one person for the role they played in your life, who would it be and why? 
My wife. She has been by my side since we graduated from high school. She gave us two beautiful children and still puts up with my antics. She should get an award!