Getting to know the new AFIMSC senior MA, built infrastructure executive director 

  • Published
  • By Sarah McNair
  • AFIMSC Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Natural Disaster Recovery Program Management Office, as a key component of the NDR Program, has a new general officer to provide executive-level support for the Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, rebuild. 

Following recently retired Brig. Gen. Patrice Melancon’s leadership, fellow Reservist Brig. Gen. Mark Slominski took charge March 1.  He brings 27 years of experience as an Air Force officer, private sector Architect/Engineer, and most recently civil servant as the chief of construction for the Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District.  

Slominski, the mobilization assistant to the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center commander, is serving as both the built infrastructure executive director and director of AFCEC's Facilities Directorate.  In his new role, Slominski is overseeing the full range of military construction and operations and maintenance funded design and construction across active-duty Department of the Air Force installations.  A critical part of this mission is focused on natural disaster recovery rebuild efforts at Tyndall and Offutt AFB, Nebraska, as well as other significant built infrastructure missions that enhance installation resilience.

Slominski said he looks forward to guiding the PMO’s efforts, supporting Col. Travis Leighton who provides senior on-site leadership as the NDR division chief.  The general expects to regularly engage in Tyndall rebuild forums, to include chairing the Senior Advisory Group and facilitating the Senior Executive Review Group.  These duties compliment his similar roles supporting over 30 Air Force programs and projects of national significance which have similar governance bodies.      

The Tyndall rebuild includes more than $3 billion of MILCON-funded construction to recover Tyndall from Hurricane Michael’s direct hit on Oct. 10, 2018. The five-to-seven-year-long process includes more than 40 new MILCON and 260 facility sustainment restoration and modernization projects to transform Tyndall into the Air Force’s prototype Installation of the Future.

As one of the newest senior members of the AFIMSC team, we asked the general to tell us a little more about himself. 

Family Life?
My spouse, Col. Nicole Slominski, is also an Air Force Reservist who presently serves as the senior director for FEMA Region 10 through the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer program. Our home is in Washington State, but I plan to travel extensively to support the Air Force via extended orders now through Fiscal Year 2022. We have two sons: Joel is a sophomore at the University of Washington and as an Air Force ROTC cadet is preparing for field training this summer.  Zack is a freshman at White River High School, home of the Hornets, in Buckley, Washington.   
 
Hobbies?
Family, service, outdoor activities and music. I enjoy hiking, running and biking, and I find tranquility through music. I almost always travel with a guitar to maintain balance and a connection with my deeper self while I’m on the road.  

More about your new roles with AFIMSC? 
I’m humbled and proud to follow in the footsteps of Brig. Gen. Melancon. In addition to accepting the baton from her, I’ve also been assigned as mobilization assistant to the AFIMSC commander, Maj. Gen. Tom Wilcox. Simply put, that means I’m the senior Reservist assigned to AFIMSC and I directly support Maj. Gen. Wilcox.  He and Brig. Gen. John Allen, AFCEC commander, asked that I serve as the AFCEC Built Infrastructure Executive Director and director of the Facilities Directorate.  I am excited to support many projects across the world, with a significant focus on the Natural Disaster Recovery Division led by Col. Leighton.

What do you think about the progress that has been made for the Tyndall rebuild?  
Progress to date is remarkable from my initial assessment, as visible aspects of new construction are just coming into focus. It started with community leaders ensuring the federal government’s commitment to rebuild. That was followed by significant efforts by community and Department of Defense personnel to build the program, establish the master plan, scope the projects and secure more than $3 billion in funding for the NDR program. Those actions set the foundation for where we are today. The PMO is executing an expected obligation rate which puts about 70 percent of the program on contract by Jan. 1, 2022.

What motivates you the most about working with the PMO?  
Our team motivates me. A team like the PMO, formed around a meaningful, tangible mission and infused with energy and enthusiasm, becomes a motivator for all who enter their circle of influence.  Our people are key to our success; I depend on the expertise, enthusiasm and leadership of the whole team as we fulfill our common vision and work together throughout the rebuild.