Lt. Col. Pickard assumes command of the 507th Maintenance Group

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  • By Public Affairs
  • 507th MXG
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  Lt. Col. Jeffrey J. Pickard assumed command of the 507th Maintenance Group from Col. Kenneth C. Bunting during the July 2011 UTA. Pickard comes to Oklahoma from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., where he was commander of the 931st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Pickard enlisted in the Air Force in 1980 and served as an integrated avionics aircraft maintenance technician until 1989 when he graduated from the United States Air Force Officers Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
He separated from active duty in 1992 and started his career in the Air Force Reserve.

On-final staff conducted an email interview with Pickard on the occasion of his assumption of command of the 507th MXG.

On-final: What are the biggest challenges you see facing the maintenance career field in the Air Force Reserve today?

Pickard: Maintenance is maintenance; we've learned to flow with the changes. What I see as the biggest challenge is in trying to balance the ever-increasing training requirements that makes maintainers proficient at their AFSC (along with readiness requirements that make them deployment ready) with the operational taskings of the Reserve. Combine this with taking care of our members by trying to balance operational reserve duties along with family needs and being good stewards to our Reservists' employers.

On-final: How would you describe your leadership style?

Pickard: That of a servant: I'm here for our folks.

On-final: What characteristics do you value most from those working under your command?

Pickard: First off, I'd like to retool the saying "working under my command" to one that reflects a team approach: how about "those I work with"? Obviously, the "buck" stops with me; however, whether we will be successful ultimately depends upon our ability to work together as a team. I value those who take personal ownership and pride of processes, ensuring the success of whatever process we are talking about. I value those who do more than what is asked of them and those who do the right thing, especially when nobody is watching or will never even know. And I value those who spend their efforts elevating people around them and inspiring them to be more than they thought they could be.

On-final: Who is your personal hero and why?

Pickard: I'd have to say that I have two heroes: U.S. Navy Capt. (ret.) Jim Ford, and my wife, Heather. Captain Ford is my best friend's father and my personal role model. What a great leader, father figure, and mentor he has been for me over my life!
And my wife, Heather, is the most generous, helpful, loving, humble, hard-working, driven, righteous, caring person that I have ever met or known. She is my rock and best friend; I am so very lucky that she has chosen to put up with me throughout our marriage. If I am a good person, it's because of her steady love, partnership, and counsel; if I am not, it's my fault because I didn't listen to her!