AFDW&You: Meet Stacie D. Ryans

  • Published
  • By Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs

The Air Force District of Washington encompasses more than 30,000 Airmen in 1,758 units stationed at 500 locations in 108 countries. AFDW Airmen execute varied missions around the world alongside service members and civilians from different Air Force major commands, joint units and international organizations. AFDW highlights Airmen in these unique missions in its series, “AFDW and You.”

The Airman: Stacie D. Ryans is the Resource Management Branch chief for the Air Force District of Washington Logistics, Engineer and Force Protection (AFDW/A4) Directorate at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. She hails from Fort Washington, Maryland.

The mission: I use my directorate’s projected requirements to build a real-world financial budget. I get to balance the books for the AFDW/A4 Directorate and go after available excess AFDW dollars to fund unforeseen needs that arise. Basically, I broker deals to outfit the top AFDW Cops, Engineers, and Logisticians for meeting the AFDW mission on America’s Airfield, the JBA installation, and in the National Capital Region. As a side gig, I also serve as the “GTC Lady” and manage the travel card program for the HQ AFDW Staff.

The highlights: Keeping up with personnel is definitely the most unique part of my job. The staff is made up of military and civilians with a collection of skills and experiences that are amazing! There is never a dull moment in this directorate. Engineers, loggies, and law enforcement by day – but also chefs, translators and interpreters, house flippers, counselors, notaries, outdoor cyclers, kayakers, spin cyclers, parents, grandparents, bobble head collectors, avid campers, and that’s just the staff I work with every day. So many more come to me from the rest of the AFDW Staff for the travel card program, with unique stories and experiences to share, as we handle the business of the day.   

The challenges: Funding or personnel shortfalls are the primary challenges of the job. The list of what needs to be done grows; but we overcome by breaking it down into manageable phases to fit the funding we can garner in any given fiscal year. As for the personnel challenges, when we have opportunities I’ve requested and received temporary student summer hire support. That’s been a big help to train a student to manage some of the recurring administrative backlog, and introduce them to the federal government and financial management world. A personal challenge is seeing many colleagues who’ve become friends depart AFDW for assignments, deployment, promotions and retirements. It’s expected and comes with the territory; but it can still be a challenge. Phone calls, FaceTime, email, text and snail mail check-ins help combat the challenges. Also, lunch or dinner catch ups when travel allows us to be in the same location.

Interesting facts: My unofficial side gig is Kindergarten teacher’s assistant for my sister’s class – assembling water/sand sensory tables, bulletin board decorations, guest circle time reader, etc. My family is originally from the Eastern Shore, Maryland (blue crabs, yes!). I also love the Philadelphia Eagles; Godiva chocolate; sharing Monday Morning/Coffee Quotes on my Facebook page; taking photos; Creative Memories Scrapbooking; cooking/baking; teaching Sunday School; and God (not necessarily in that order).