Topic: Acuity Spotlight

The Acuity Spotlight is our way of highlighting some of the incredibly talented individuals that we’re lucky enough to have on our team. At Acuity, we value diversity and inclusion and focus our attention on bringing candidates who have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences onboard. Our mission is to build enduring relationships that provide secure, stable, and long-term predictable outcomes and we are grateful for the men and women of Acuity who embody our corporate values in everything they do.

Which branch of the military did you serve in?
I served as a member of the Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment for 14 years which is one of two special operations units of the Sri Lankan Army.

What are some of the things you remember about adapting to military life?
Some of the things I remember as part of my adaptation to military life were the discipline required to be a member of the unit and the teamwork that was emphasized throughout the training and continued once assigned to the unit. In addition, the arduous physical and mental training/preparation that I was required to maintain as a member of the unit along with high standards of moral conduct and good behavior that are expected of each member of the regiment. Something that was hard for my family was that they had to adapt and learn that assignment to the regiment meant I would not be at home for long periods of time.

When did you leave the military? What were your first few months out of the service like?
I completed my tour with the Sri Lanka Army in August of 2010. My first few months were hectic because I had to learn how to adapt to civilian life. After leaving the military, I realized the freedom I had and appreciated the opportunity to spend more time with my family.

How would you describe the work you do at Acuity and the impact it is making?
I am happy to be a part of the Acuity team. I have worked as a member of the Balad team for seven years in several different positions in different departments. I enjoy the opportunity to work with people from different cultures who speak different languages.

What is your proudest career moment?
The proudest moment of my military career was when the war ended in Sri Lanka in 2009.

 

---

About the Author


Lalith Priyanka Wijewickrama Athapattu, Balad Air Base Life Support/Security Services Project, Sri Lankan Army

The Acuity Spotlight is our way of highlighting some of the incredibly talented individuals that we’re lucky enough to have on our team. At Acuity, we value diversity and inclusion and focus our attention on bringing candidates who have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences onboard. Our mission is to build enduring relationships that provide secure, stable, and long-term predictable outcomes and we are grateful for the men and women of Acuity who embody our corporate values in everything they do.

Which branch of the military did you serve in?

I served 13 years in The United States Air Force. I was in the Combat Arms and Security Forces field. I separated with an Honorable discharge as an MSgt (E-7).

What are some of the things you remember about adapting to military life?

I came from a military family so the adaptation to military life was not too difficult for me. My spouse was in the military as well and both of my boys were born on US bases, one stateside and one in Europe. The brotherhood and comradery of the armed forces were one of the most difficult things to let go of when I got out.

When did you leave the military? What were your first few months out of the service like?

I left the Military in 2008. Immediately following my separation, I spent two months hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with my dog. I walked from Oregon down to Mt. Whitney in California. After that, I began work with a private security company overseas and returned to the brotherhood of arms.

How would you describe the work you do at Acuity and the impact it is making?

I feel that the work I do with Acuity is vital to the overall success and execution of the contract. I believe that without me and/or others like me doing our job, Acuity wouldn’t be as successful in fulfilling its obligations and current contracts. I take great pride in my job and am thankful that the US military as well as other US government agencies have provided me the training and skillset to effectively execute my protective service for all clients assigned to me.

What is your proudest career moment?

It is not too difficult for me to identify the proudest moment in my career. I have been deployed 11 times in the United States Air Force in support of freedom, I have flown security missions to 122 countries around the world, and I have been stationed on four different continents (and visited five).

I proudly served my country and fought the war on terrorism when called upon, I have provided security for VIPs, celebrities, and heads of state in both military and civilian functions, but the proudest moment I have was watching my boys grow to mature young men with solid values and follow in their father’s footsteps by joining the military and contributing to the betterment of man and not standing on the sidelines watching. Not failing as a father.

 

---

Matt Lowell is the Balad Air Base Life Support/Security Services Project, Security Directorate, and Personnel Protective Officer (PPO).

 

 

The Acuity Spotlight is our way of highlighting some of the incredibly talented individuals that we’re lucky enough to have on our team. At Acuity, we value diversity and inclusion, focusing our attention on bringing candidates onboard who have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Our mission is to build enduring relationships that provide secure, stable, and long-term predictable outcomes, and we are grateful for the men and women of Acuity who embody our corporate values in everything they do.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I have been in customer service for over 20 years. Most of my professional experience has been spent with telephone companies such as AT&T and Apple.

What does your job at Acuity International entail?

I am the Contact Center Manager, supporting the MMS programs and contract scheduling efforts, for both incoming and outbound call campaigns. I collaborate with interdepartmental groups on a regular basis to ensure that contracts are being properly executed. On a daily basis, I oversee the phone queues and monitor call center dashboards, generating data on our call center (wait times, etc.) to help senior leadership determine pricing for future business proposals.  A primary focus for me this year is to implement a new telephone system and work to ensure the call center team is making a strategic impact. Creating a positive environment that is customer service-centric is what I pride myself in.

What are you seeing that’s different in the workplace now vs. when you first started out?

It was evident that Acuity was continuing to grow very rapidly, and it was comforting to know that our leaders were all advocates for change. More and more companies (Acuity including) are adapting to the needs of their employees in response to COVID-19. Whether that’s flexible schedules or remote work, employers are understanding the new normal.

Who are some of the most influential people in your personal and/or professional life?

In my personal life it would be my mother, Claire. She instilled a good work ethic and is still my biggest cheerleader today. Professionally it would be my Director Katie Tennis, she taught me to remember the human side of our workforce and to show compassion and grace in times of uncertainty.

What are you passionate about?

Vacations! I love to travel and am eager to visit different places around the world. A motto I live by is “live life to the fullest”. It is very important to me to have a life that I enjoy.  Happiness is a choice and I choose it daily.

How can we help shed light on the importance and meaning of Women’s History Month?

The number of women in leadership positions is significantly higher than it was just a few years ago, and it’s still growing today. As women, it is our job to continue to try to empower and respect women both personally and professionally by highlighting their accomplishments.

---

Pamela Adorno is Acuity’s Contact Center Manager.