National Finance Center Director Jerry Lohfink and NFC CIO Gil Hawk offered their experience and lessons learned in an online forum on government continuity-of-operations planning on Nov. 30.<@VM>
Moderator:Welcome to everyone and thank you for participating in GCN's second online forum on continuity of operations planning in government. Jerry Lohfink, director of USDA’s National Finance Center, and Gil Hawk, NFC CIO, both of whom are usually located in New Orleans, have joined us to answer your questions about how they not only restored but expanded payroll operations in the wake of Katrina. Let's get started.
Bill- Reston, VA: What was the biggest challenge in pulling off the plan? What part was most difficult when executing verses preparing for the continutity of operations?
Jerry Lohfink: The biggest challange was the communication with employees and key stakeholdes when the communication infrastructure was basically inoperable. The next challenge dealt with accommodation of employees and dependent needs at remote sites. We were very fortunate in that our employees had 800 numbers and alternate contact information for us that facilitated a rapid deployment. And, our staff did such a great job in concentrating on the mission in spite of all the personal issues they were facing.
Patrick, Washington, DC: Good Afternoon,
Could you comment on your experience(s) working with external organizations (i.e. other than your agency) during your continuity planning and also during impacting events? How important and how easy has it been for you to involve these external organizations (banks, vendors, telcos, public health and safety, etc.) and communicate with them during an impacting event?
Thank you.
Jerry Lohfink: We were very blessed in that our customer agencies worked extremely well with us and were quite understanding of the limitations inherent in those first days of recovery. Our plan contained the priorit of service recovery, so that there were very few surprises. We also had great support from our contract partners. They rose to the challenges and helped at every turn. In addition, the outpouring of support to our employees and their families in terms of clothing, food, and other necessities was a real morale boost that paid great dividends.
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