This week, Ryan Connell sits down with Maj. Gen. Alice Treviño, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting in the Department of the Air Force, as she shares insights from her 32-year career. They explore the challenges of contracting, her leadership philosophy, and the evolution of AI tools within the Air Force. Major General Treviño emphasizes the importance of patience, positivity, and curiosity for change agents in contracting, and shares advice on scaling innovation across the Air Force. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on what it takes to succeed as a contracting leader.

TIMESTAMPS:

(1:51) General Treviño’s journey to becoming a senior leader in Air Force contracting

(6:49) How to delegate authority in high-visibility projects

(9:41) The critical role of contracting in mission success

(12:52) A day in the life of a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting

(18:45) The concept of the “flight plan” and “Tools, Not Rules”

(19:46) Building and scaling tools across the Air Force

(27:26) Advice on change agency for junior members in the Air Force

(32:55) The importance of maintaining relentless positivity as a leader

LINKS:

Follow Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-connell-8413a03a/

Follow Maj. Gen. Treviño: https://www.linkedin.com/in/major-general-alice-“ali”-t-834a6414/

CDAO: https://www.ai.mil/

Tradewinds: https://www.tradewindai.com/