The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced March 17, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person May 10.
Next is Chief Growth Officer finalist in the Public Company category Greg Bowman, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Siemens Government Technologies. Here, he talks proud organizational moments, taking professional risks, career advice and more.
What are you most proud of having been a part of in your current organization?
I am most proud of the way our company integrates multiple product, service, and solution portfolios to meet a critical need of our Nation’s warfighters.
For example, Siemens Government Technologies led the design, development, financing, and construction of the largest Federal fence-to-fence energy resiliency and efficiency ESPC upgrade in US government history. This budget-neutral project integrates renewables, batteries, LNG, microgrids and demand reductions to fully power the most critical U.S. base in the Caribbean.
This project was accepted in May 2023 and entered a two-decade comprehensive operations and performance period.
Additionally, I am extremely proud to have been a part of the digital transformation of key defense operations and programs using our Xcelerator portfolio and digital thread for defense offerings. These open architecture tools are supporting optimization throughout the Navy Shipyards, Air Force life-cycle management and Army developmental programs.
In fact, our efforts for the Navy are producing the largest digital twin of an operational industrial facility in the history of the world. Our digital transformation program is providing never-before-seen visibility, capability and affordability for these critical defense efforts.
Simply put, I am so proud that Siemens innovations are helping our warfighters have the best and most capable systems in the world as they defend our freedom and the freedom of our allies.
What’s the biggest professional risk you’ve ever taken?
My biggest professional risk was transitioning from being an Army lawyer to a civilian businessperson. I retired from the Pentagon as an Army judge advocate after 26 years of service and was offered the chance to enter an operational (non-legal) role for Siemens Government Technologies.
The job was focused on long-term energy solutions for the federal government using complex third-party financing and the latest efficiency and resiliency technology. I had never been in a business role before, and this was a huge risk of personal failure from just the technical and financial aspects alone.
However, I wanted to continue being a leader after leaving the Army and to continue to support our warfighters. Fortunately, Barbara Humpton, the SGT CEO at the time, seeing my concern, took me aside and said, “You can do this. Businesses need leaders who understand how to build a team, solve a problem and find success no matter the task . . . he rest we can teach you.”
That powerful statement led me to join this amazing company and to take the risk of transitioning to a new system, culture and even language. It also gave me one of the greatest learning opportunities I have ever known.
What’s your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
My advice to others is simple… say “yes.” Say yes… to the hard jobs, to the risk, to the things that scare you. Volunteer for the tough assignments; volunteer to be the leader. Be willing to try something completely new just because you’re interested or because your team needs you.
The best advice I ever received was “nothing ventured… nothing gained.” Seek the adventure, strive for the gain, you will be surprised where it will lead and what you can accomplish.