At Amentum, we celebrate our people, our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. In May, we’ll focus on Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month while shining a light on one employee at a time. Today’s Q&A is with Michael Morgan, Project Controls Cost Supervisor, Engineering, Science, & Technology.
How did you come to join Amentum?
I joined Amentum through the intern program with a legacy Amentum company in 2008.
What is your professional and personal background?
I started my professional career in Accounting before joining Project Controls at the Anniston Chemical Demilitarization Facility. After successfully completing the Anniston contract, I joined the Anniston Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) project to support the remaining chemical weapons destruction projects. I studied accountancy at Gadsden State Community College, Jacksonville State University, and Auburn University earning my Master of Accountancy. I served multiple years on the accounting advisory committee at Gadsden State Community College.
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
I supervise various Project Controls Functions to include Cost Analysis, Earned Value Management System (EVMS) Reporting, Scheduling, and Pricing Lead for multiple demilitarization projects at Amentum. I work to maximize my team’s efficiency and success through knowledge sharing, communication, and doing what we can to keep everyone in a safe compliant environment. We make the world safer by destroying chemical weapons.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
My greatest accomplishment is working with a great team to eliminate the chemical weapons stockpiles in the United States. My proudest career moments were mentoring colleagues, watching them succeed in their careers and working with a small management team to work through five Other Transaction Authority (OTA) projects and the Anniston SDC helping Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) and Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) accomplish their missions to destroy the remaining chemical weapons stockpile before the treaty deadline.
What do you enjoy about working for Amentum?
I enjoy the teams I work with through the Anniston Alabama SDC, Pueblo Colorado, and Richmond KY sites. I was also given a great opportunity to work with a small team on 5 OTA projects that were executed and managed by a very small staff that designed and installed key pieces of equipment to help the Pueblo and Richmond projects meet their treaty required date for chemical weapons destruction.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about family and maximizing every opportunity given to me by my parents and wife. My mother immigrated from Korea in the 60s to start a family with my father who served over 20 years in the Army. My wife also served in the Army and through my four children has helped me become the person I am today. Through their sacrifices I can provide a better life for my family and children while taking care of my mother.
What’s your career advice?
Find what you love to do and continue to challenge yourself to learn all that you can. Through dedication and commitment, you can maximize your opportunities and obtain your career goals.
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?
Safety to me means that we work in an environment that fosters safety and compliance to ensure that everyone goes home in the same or better condition than they came to work. One way to do that is to remember to explain the “why” when you’re implementing or discussing “what” to do to keep everyone safe.
What’s the best invention in the world and why?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and advanced fertility treatments. Without IVF treatments, including donor egg banks, I would not have our three beautiful little girls in my life.
Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
Appreciate the teams you work with and work to ensure that the team maximizes its success. Through mutual respect and commitment, small teams can make huge impacts to the success of a mission.
Considering this monthly observance, tell us more about yourself.
I am an avid Star Trek fan and fortunate to be married to another avid Star Trek fan. I enjoy camping in our travel trailer. We get to meet great people on our trips and allow our kids to enjoy a safe environment to play and grow. I am grateful for the opportunities of time spent as an adult with my mom learning about my Korean heritage, history of the Korean society through her eyes, and teaching my kids to embrace their same heritage.
