Col. Ed Barker brings joy to work

Col. Ed Barker, an assistant program executive officer at PEO EIS responsible for the integration of the Army's enterprise-resource-planning systems, has provided valuable technical advice and leadership related to the modernization of 578 defense business systems. A challenge-the-status-quo thinker, he was an early champion of the Army Vantage program, which is changing the Army’s approach to data.

Barker grew up in Minford, a small town in a rural area of south-central Ohio. His down-to-earth parents taught him the value of hard work. He enlisted in the Army and served as an artillery forward observer at Fort Hood. In his 30-year Army career, Barker has supported intelligence, project-development and acquisition programs. A New York Yankees fan, Barker enjoys golf, fantasy football and spending time with his family.

Barker is leaving PEO EIS to be chief of staff for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology ASA(ALT) and will be sorely missed. He answered eight questions about his career and life.

Why did you enlist in the Army?
I went to college to play soccer and joined a fraternity. J.D. Merritt, a local sports hero, was my pledge master. J.D. required pledges to get up early in the morning to do physical training. J.D. treated me like his little brother and inspired me to enlist. J.D. had enlisted in the Army and was in the process of becoming an officer. He said it was better to enlist because it gave you a greater appreciation for what officers ask Soldiers to do.

In the middle of my second year in college, I learned that J.D. was very sick with a rare form of childhood leukemia. J.D. ended up passing away. Before he died J.D. said that he thought I would be a really good officer. I never want to let J.D. down. I also don’t want to let anyone else who I serve with down and that has been something I have carried with me through the years.

Why did you join the Army Acquisition Corps?
I like to joke that I have navigated a nontraditional career path because I am unable to hold down a job!

After serving in the Army as an infantry officer for four years, I became a military intelligence officer and was exposed to a wide range of acquisition programs and their power to help Soldiers. I moved to the Acquisition Corps as a senior captain supporting acquisitions in classified environments. I worked with quiet professionals: people who do not care who gets credit for the getting the job done, but care deeply about getting the job done.

What soft skills are required to be effective in the acquisition field?
You have to check your ego at the door. You have to be a good collaborator to reach a consensus. You also have to be willing to provide feedback. I am laid back and easy to talk to, but don’t confuse that with the inability to have a difficult conversation.

Why do you get frustrated when you hear, "That's the way we've always done it"?
What I’ve learned is that you can’t always let the status quo win. If you are not checking your ego at the door, learning to look at problems differently and bringing in other people to get their advice, you are probably not doing yourself a service. I have had multiple opportunities to fundamentally change the way the Army does business. There are days when the bureaucracy and system will try and beat you down. Challenge the status quo. If you know it’s the right thing to do, figure out a way to get it done. My former boss, Maj. Gen. Mike Nagata, said, “’No’ is the beginning of the conversation.”

Have you had any lucky career breaks?
I was the executive officer for the Honorable Heidi Shyu, the ASA(ALT). When I interviewed for the position, I was a long shot because I was not well known inside the acquisition community. During the interview, I told Heidi that I was not the best acquisition officer, but I promised her that if she hired me she would laugh and smile every day. That sealed the deal. Heidi took a leap of faith on a not-well-known lieutenant colonel. She taught me about patience, resilience and the value of listening. I learned so much from her that it would be an injustice to try and describe it all.

COL Ed Barker, former ASA(ALT) Heidi Shyu and Ms. Chérie Smith at AUSA's annual 2019 conference

What is the best advice you received from a mentor?
When I supported Maj. Gen. Harry Greene, a highly esteemed acquisition professional with a brilliant mind, he reminded me every day that if you are not laughing and having fun, you are doing something wrong. Find a way to laugh and enjoy what you are doing. That makes work so much easier.

Why is PEO EIS special?
Every Soldier is our customer. The breadth and depth of our portfolio supports every Soldier everywhere. Our very talented workforce is supported by outstanding leaders. Our PEO, Ms. Chérie Smith, is very special. She is a kind, but stern, leader who really cares about her people. She provides clear guidance so you never wonder where she stands. She can break down a problem like no one else. She has the perfect combination of technical acumen and interpersonal skills to lead the PEO EIS workforce.

Do you have any advice for PEO EIS employees?
Every day, find a reason to smile or get your teammates to smile.