KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- A former Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center deputy was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in April.
For almost four years, starting in 2015, Paul Waugh served as AFNWC’s deputy director for its Air-Delivered Capabilities Directorate, where he enabled the center to acquire and sustain air-delivered nuclear weapon systems in support of the nation's nuclear deterrence operations.
Prior to working at AFNWC, Waugh was the chief of the Propulsion Sustainment Division at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where he led a team responsible for lifecycle management of 50 types of turbine engines.
In May, he returned to AFLCMC as an SES member to start his new job as the Air Force program executive officer for agile combat support at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
“Paul’s appointment as an SES and as the PEO for agile combat support are significant career accomplishments and very well deserved,” said Maj. Gen. Shaun Morris, AFNWC commander. Morris presided over Waugh’s SES appointment ceremony on April 25 here at Kirtland.
Waugh retired as an Air Force colonel in 2010 after senior leader positions in a variety of fields, including engineering, program management, training and logistics.
“Don’t worry about your next promotion or next job too much,” said (then) Col. Waugh shortly before his retirement in a Tinker Take Off article. “Figure out what your job is, do the best job you can, and your boss and boss’s boss will recognize that. You’ll get increased responsibilities, opportunities to do better. If you continue to succeed at what’s given to you, then you’ll get the promotions and good jobs in the future. If you worry about your next assignment, people see through that.”
In 2011, Waugh entered federal civil service as a senior program manager. His recent SES appointment shows his success in following his philosophy.
The Senior Executive Service was established by Title IV of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and its members are charged with leading the government and “producing results for the American people,” according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. These leaders operate and oversee nearly every government activity in about 75 federal agencies. The service covers managerial, supervisory and policy positions classified above GS-15.