At Amentum, we celebrate our people and our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. For February, we’ll reflect on what Black History Month means to all of us while shining a light on one employee at a time. Amentum’s next spotlight is on April Crawley, Accountant 3, EPA / GA- Project Accounting.
How did you come to join Amentum?
As a legacy DynCorp International (DI) employee, my transition to Amentum has been driven by a shared commitment to supporting government and private partners in achieving their industry/business goals. Amentum’s dedication, much like legacy DI’s, aligns seamlessly with my values, and the respect for the military is a key factor that influenced my decision to join the company.
What is your professional and personal background?
Throughout my career journey, I’ve navigated various industries, accumulating a wealth of experience and skills. Working in the commercial/industrial paint, oral pharmaceuticals, and tax sectors, I assumed roles that spanned from bookkeeper, tax preparer, branch admin of credit, customer service rep, to sales rep.
These roles were not just jobs, they were building blocks that have contributed to my personal and professional growth. As a bookkeeper, I honed my financial acumen, while my time as a tax preparer allowed me to delve into tax law and research. Serving as a branch admin of credit, I developed strong administrative skills, and my stint as a customer service rep polished my communication and problem-solving abilities.
Being a sales rep further expanded my skill set, enhancing my ability to negotiate, relationship-building capabilities, as well as identifying products to match the customer’s needs. Each position, in its unique way, increased my transferable skills and knowledge that I continue to draw upon in my current role. My diverse background has shaped me into a versatile professional that is adaptable and resilient in a variety of work environments.
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
In my role as an Accountant 3 (Billing Accountant) for Aviation Field Maintenance – AFM II East (AFME), I collaborate closely with the Project Accountant and Business Operations, ensuring funding is recorded accurately, proper invoicing of costs to the customer, monitoring bills as they progress through the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) payment process. Successful program billing not only contributes to the Department of Defense (DoD) meeting its service goals but allows Amentum to consistently deliver high quality services to our customers.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
One of my proudest accomplishments in my career stems from my ability to transform personal work notes into comprehensive training documents. This achievement showcased my in-depth understanding of the industry and positioned me as a crucial contributor to the training process. As a result, I took on challenging assignments, including facilitating training sessions for the inbound sales team and customer service representatives.
Moreover, this accomplishment opened doors for me to actively participate in a significant system upgrade. I played a key role in testing new functions before they were implemented, ensuring a seamless transition for the entire team. This experience showed my dedication to continuous improvement but also highlighted my adaptability to change.
What do you enjoy about working for Amentum?
I appreciate the diversity of my colleagues, and the ample opportunities for career growth and skill enhancement.
What are you passionate about?
I am deeply passionate about ensuring the health and successful transition of veterans into civilian life. My commitment extends to supporting the spouses of veterans, and I actively contribute by being a member of organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Foundation, Mission Continues, and Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation. These affiliations empower me to make meaningful impact within these communities along with gaining additional tools to support my husband who’s a disabled veteran.
What’s your career advice?
When navigating your career, it’s invaluable to consistently ask questions and maintain an openness to learn. This approach not only facilitates the expansion of your knowledge but also fosters continuous growth, enabling you to adapt and thrive on your professional journey.
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?
Safety, to me, encompasses safeguarding both my mental and physical well-being. A favorite safety tip I adhere to is prioritizing regular breaks to maintain focus and reduce stress, ensuring a balance and healthy approach to work and life.
What’s the best invention in the world and why?
The most impactful invention is arguably video calling. This modern technology revolutionized connectivity. Communication is seamless transcending geographical boundaries and fostering closer relationships resulting in an increasingly interconnected world.
Considering this monthly observance, tell us more about yourself. Please address one or more of the following questions:
Favorite musician?
George Benson is my favorite musician, and the shared connection of both of us hailing from Western Pennsylvania adds an extra layer of appreciation. Music, as a universal language, can unite people of diverse backgrounds on a common ground. Reflecting on Black History Month, I see it not only as a celebration of the struggles and triumphs of a specific group but as a tapestry woven into the universal history of America. It serves as a poignant reminder of those who laid the foundation and made sacrifices, paving the way for my present and shaping my future. Amid the well-known figures, countless unsung heroes in black history deserve more recognition as they are the footnotes that all of us stand on. Comparable to a musical analysis, I scrutinize the life chords that form our history so I can make the necessary adjustment to propel progress forward.
