8 questions with Lawrence Silas

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Lawrence Silas spent his childhood like most kids — playing with friends and family, learning and attending church. “Growing up, there was love and discipline in our home,” said Silas who took Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) courses for four years in high school, attended Saint Paul’s College on an Army ROTC scholarship and received his Army officer commission as a second lieutenant from Virginia State University.

A combat veteran, Silas has more than 27 years of Army service, including several leadership roles in the acquisition and logistics (quartermaster) career fields. After retiring from the Army as a colonel in 2012, he worked in industry supporting secure communications programs for the federal government. Silas joined the civil service in 2013 and currently serves as the director of acquisition logistics and property management for PEO EIS headquarters.

We asked Silas, today’s #PEOEISTeammateTuesday, eight questions about his career and life.

What inspired you to join the Army?
My father and most of my uncles served in the military, and my two older brothers served in the Air Force. One of my brothers was my role model. He did extremely well in high school and received an appointment to the Air Force Academy where he majored in aeronautical engineering. His success encouraged me to set high standards.

I grew up playing sports, including basketball, football and track, but really enjoyed Junior ROTC the most. My time as a young officer in the 82nd Airborne Division was fast paced and exciting. As crazy as it sounds, I enjoyed the opportunity to jump out of airplanes, travel and gain new experiences. It gave me the opportunity to leverage the best of who I was at the time. I only intended to serve for three or four years, but I fell in love with the Army.

How has the Army influenced your leadership style?
My personal values align with key Army values such as candor, selflessness, being trustworthy and caring about others. As long as you embody and display those characteristics, you will make others happy and you will be happy too.

What is your leadership style?
First, I seek to understand the mission. Then, I surround myself with the best people, listen to their input, properly resource them and provide the guidance they need to plan and execute their tasks — not plan every task and action they take.

I learned very early on in my career as a lieutenant that some of the smartest recommendations come from the privates, the most junior people on your team. People who are closest to the work understand it the best. 

Why is PEO EIS a great place to work?
PEO EIS touches everyone in the Army. Whether you are Army active-duty, Army National Guard or Reserve or an Army civilian, the capabilities provided by PEO EIS support you in one way or another.

Our portfolio is diverse. To name a few, we manage defensive communication and cyber capabilities, personnel and financial systems as well as logistics programs.

PEO EIS has some of the brightest people I’ve had the opportunity to work with. It attracts talented people because it has a reputation for excellence.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I enjoy spending time with my family. When my kids were growing up, it was all about them and ensuring that they had enjoyable experiences in sports, life and school. When I was working as a program manager in Natick, Massachusetts, my two sons were in elementary and middle school in Northern Virginia. I purchased a double set of their schoolbooks so I could review their homework with them in the evenings. I also travelled home frequently. I thought that was important.

I also enjoy serving God and being a servant leader at my church. I am a trustee at my 5,000-member church that has a 109,000-square-foot facility on a 23-acre property. I spend a couple of days a week supporting various church activities. I get a lot of satisfaction in ensuring anyone who comes onto the church campus receives the best experience possible.

Do you have any book recommendations?
Because of my faith, I recommend “The Holy Bible.” It's about love. We have to love one another. And you do that by demonstrating it each day. “The Bible” tells us to love one another and to be of good cheer.

I also recommend “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t” by Jim Collins. The book teaches you that companies have to focus on the right things.

I have several Colin Powell books, including “It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership.” I read the book when I was an Army major, and it gave me a lot of insight on how to achieve a more fulfilling life and career. It covers how you can become the best person that you can be, not just the best Soldier.

Name one thing you can't do without every day.
I will name two. I pray every day. It gives me balance. I also seek to find a reason to smile each day because we should live in a joyful way.

If you could have coffee with anyone in history or the present day, who would it be and why?
My mother. She passed away in 2019. Her eyes would light up every time I saw her and she ALWAYS displayed unconditional love. That’s one of the many things I miss so much about her.