Toni Freeland keeps an open mind

Toni Freeland, product officer for Command Centers in the Installation Information Infrastructure Modernization Program (I3MP), is today’s #PEOEISTeammateTuesday. Tenacious, reliable and loyal, she started her career 21 years ago when a defense contractor hired her as a software test analyst supporting the Joint Interoperability Test Command’s work on the Global Command and Control System – Joint. When not working, Freeland supports her children’s secondary school drama and soccer clubs. A native of West Long Branch, New Jersey, she enjoys walking for exercise and reading beach novels by Elin Hildebrand. She answered nine questions about her career and life.

What do you do at PEO EIS?
If you watch the television series, NCIS: Los Angles, the characters Nell and Eric work inside an operations center that provides audio and visual capabilities and situational awareness to the special agents. I3MP provides similar capabilities to Army Corps, Division and Theater commanders. Our command centers enable Commanders and their soldiers to communicate through their audio visual capabilities, providing them with a common operational picture, which allows them to disseminate mission orders to deployed Soldiers from the rear.

What advice do you have for someone just starting a career in defense acquisition?
You need to understand the big picture and how the process works, but no one expects you to know everything. Building relationships with various subject matter experts is key. For example, I reach out to people who are experts in budgets and contracting often. If I had not built those relationships over the years, my job would be a lot harder.

Why is PEO EIS the best PEO in the Army?
Our mission is very important because we support Soldiers who ensure that our nation is safe. The Army couldn’t run without us. Our personnel and pay systems ensure that Soldiers are paid. Our financial systems ensure that we can execute the Army’s mission to protect our country. Our networks ensure that Soldiers, civilians and contractors are able to communicate with each other. Our logistics systems track our assets to ensure that the Army has what it needs, when it needs it.

Why have you been so successful in your career?
I realized early in my career to rely on common sense and to trust my instincts. I have also had a lot of great mentors.

What is the best advice you received?
Keep an open mind. A lot of people have a tendency to initially just shoot things down and say, “No, we can't do that” or “No, that's not possible.” I tell my team that we can’t write anything off unless we have analyzed and explored all of our options.

Describe the PEO EIS culture.
PEO EIS is a dynamic place to grow. There are lot of opportunities to learn through developmental assignments and brown-bag lunch-and-learns. The organization attracts highly skilled professionals who operate to high standards.

If you could think of one person for the role they played in your life, who would it be and why?
One of my mentors saw a lot of potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. She was really tough on me and pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. At the time, I thought she was mean and unfair. But looking back, I realize that she gave me the foundation for every success I have achieved in my career.

Who inspires you?
My daughter’s perseverance inspires me. She was born with a muscle condition. When she was a baby, we were told that she would be significantly delayed in meeting physical milestones and would never be an athlete in any way, shape or form. Because of her drive and determination, she proved the doctors’ wrong.

When she was five-years old, she noticed that other five-year olds could ride a two-wheel bike while she could barely pedal a bike at all because of her muscle condition. She made me take off her training wheels and she didn’t get off of her bike that day until she could ride it. That kind of sums up her personality. Today, she's a two-sport athlete, playing travel soccer at the highest level in her age group and travel basketball. This year, she was the only student in her school to receive a physical-education medal. I always tell her, “I want to be like you when I grow up.”

How have you adjusted to COVID-19?
My team teleworks. I am having more phone calls and talk more often than I did when I worked in the office. Teleworking made me realize that I can get my job done with a lot less stuff that I have at work. The last day I was at work, I brought home what I could carry and I am doing just fine without all that extra stuff. I use Skype for Business. The instant-messenger tool and the video-calling capabilities enable me to connect with teammates and stakeholders.