Defense Finance and Accounting Service--Mr Marshal R. Gimpel.

FY 2004 DFAS-Air Force Service Level Agreement. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and the United States Air Force have renewed their FY 2004 Service Level Agreement (SLA) to continue to strengthen the cooperative partnership between DFAS and the Air Force; define mutual expectations; establish goals and objectives; and increase the value of DFAS' service to the Air Force.

Additionally, the DFAS-AF SLA serves as a basis for local agreements between subordinate Client Executives (CEs) and their customers (AF component organizations).

The Director, Accounting Services Air Force, is the CE for the Air Force and accountable to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller) for all aspects of DFAS' service to the Air Force.

The FY 2004 SLA addresses a broad variety of finance and accounting services provided to the Air Force worldwide through the Accounting Services, Commercial Pay Services, and Military and Civilian Pay Services business lines and associated product lines.

Service Level Objectives (SLOs) and Measures of Success for each business line are identified in Appendix A of the SLA. Current and planned DFAS initiatives and DFAS support of the SAF/ FM Strategic Plan are included in Appendix B.

The SLA serves as the basis for a significant portion of the quarterly customer service briefing to the Assistant Secretary. This briefing typically addresses the Air Force bill, SLO performance, status of various initiatives, and other pertinent topics.

Annually, the SLA is reviewed for necessary modifications for the upcoming fiscal year. Specific terms are proposed and agreed to by affected business lines and the Air Force Accounting and Finance Office (AFAFO), as the Assistant Secretary's agent. FY 2005 SLA is currently under review with the intent to have it signed prior to the beginning of FY 2005.

Zack E. Gaddy Named Director of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Zack E. Gaddy was named Director of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service on 4 May 2004. In taking on these new responsibilities, he moves from DFAS' Director for Accounting Services for the Air Force and selected unified commands and defense agencies. In that role, Mr Gaddy was also the client executive responsible for delivery of all DFAS services and for evolution of these services to provide the best value possible by considering customer requirements, effectiveness of business practices and cost to these customers.

Mr Gaddy has served in a number of leadership roles in DFAS since joining the agency in 1991. Prior to joining DFAS, he was the Assistant for Fiscal Control, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller). He directed departmental policy for funds distribution and analysis. Mr Gaddy was also responsible for oversight, assessment, and corrective actions for problems and deficiencies identified within the Department of the Air Force's fiscal operations.

Prior to his selection as Assistant for Fiscal Control, Mr Gaddy worked as a program manager with the Air Force Audit Agency. His special areas of responsibility included evaluating and recommending corrective actions for the Air Force's financial management functions for the general, stock, and industrial funds.

Mr Gaddy is a graduate of Old Dominion University, Virginia, and has a master's degree from Boston University, Massachusetts. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Government Financial Manager.