In this inspiring episode of Aim Hire, host Ryan Schneider sits down with two standout civilian leaders from the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC), Ken Oliver, a mission-driven human resources powerhouse, and Brooke Jenkins, an engineer-turned-changemaker whose enthusiasm is as contagious as her compassion. Together, they’ll not only talk about what they do, but why they do it.
And more importantly, they share steps you can take to follow in their footsteps.
From childhood dreams and family values to leadership lessons and those breakthrough moments that transform life missions into lucrative and rewarding livelihoods, in this, our 43rd episode of Aim Hire, we strip away the job titles and shine a spotlight on what really matters: the inner drive that fuels the mission, makes the work meaningful, and keeps the Air Force out so far ahead of the curve.
You won’t want to miss a single minute, but if you have a plane to catch or perhaps a bogie to intercept, you can cut straight to the chase with the links below.
3:03 ~ Ken shares his decades of service and emphasizes a mission-first mindset: “Lead with purpose and leave things better.”
3:59 ~ Brooke describes her transition from engineering to AFCS and her career-broadening role focused on serving others.
10:08 ~ Ken explains his purpose-driven leadership and why “Make mission happen” is more than a sign-off, it’s his ethos.
12:16 ~ Brooke explains her personal evolution and how her work now “feeds people emotionally,” a metaphor for both service and meaning.
25:22 ~ Ken outlines his leadership style: “Teach the why, not just the how,” empowering teams through ownership and trust.
26:46 ~ Brooke recounts a moment when her reliability made a difference to a former intern, proving conclusively that presence isn’t only important, but impactful.
37:29 ~ Ken’s offers advice to job seekers: “Stop looking for a job. Find a profession,” underscoring the importance mission and mindset play in career success.
38:42 ~ Brooke’s advice for those pursuing AFCS careers? “Patience, adopt a people-first mindset, and a willingness to help beyond your designated role.”
41:25 ~ Brooke breaks down career broadening in AFCS as a path to reignite passion and serve the mission in a new way.
44:38 ~ The panel discusses formal and informal mentorship programs that guide career growth and development within AFCS.
47:07 ~ Ken explains how AFCS employees can non-competitively transfer across agencies and take overseas assignments, but only if they choose to.
52:21 ~ Closing reflections: “Your driving force doesn’t have to be extravagant; it just needs to be yours. So own it.”