The G8: My name is Colonel Michell R. Pascua-Gordon (“PG” for short). I am the assistant chief of staff-G8 of the 104th Training Division (Leader Training). I was born in the Philippines and raised in Waipahu, Hawaii. I enlisted into the Hawaii Army National Guard as a personnel management specialist. I am a graduate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a second lieutenant, in the ordnance branch, May 2001. Throughout my 26 years of serving in all three components of the Army, I have gained knowledge, skills, and experiences that I am able to contribute. I am also a military technician in the U.S. Army Reserve. I am honored and privileged to be a part of the Timberwolves and work with the team.
Budget Analyst: My name is Mr. David Hoeveler, I am the budget analyst for the 104th Training Division (LT) G8. I was hired in December 2017 and have managed the Division’s funding resources for four fiscal years. Prior to this position I was a contract specialist with the Army Reserve’s 917th Contracting Battalion with whom I deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from 2016-2017 and directly supported a joint task force in Al Taqaddum. My focus is on supporting our Soldiers across the 104th and ensuring that they have the resources they need to accomplish their assigned missions.
Budget Officer: My name is Capt. Lawrence Barcelon, I am a new member of the 104th Training Division (LT) G8, serving as a budget officer. I recently transitioned to the Army reserve from active duty as an aviation officer, flying OH-58D Kiowas with the 10th Mountain Division and AH-64D Apaches with the 25th Infantry Division. I currently live in West Seattle with my wife, Brittany, and our dog, Malia. We’re all excited to be here in the PNW, and I look forward to my new mission with the 104th Division team.
Financial Management Non-Commissioned Officer: My name is Sgt. 1st Class Chad Wilson, I am the Financial Management NCO for the 104th Training Division (LT) G8. I transferred from the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command G8 out of Marysville, Wash., in January 2019. I am a 36B, Financial Management Technician by military occupational specialty code and I have been in the Army for 21 years; seven years in the Army Reserve and 14 years active duty. My prior MOS while active duty was a 25W, Telecommunications Operations Chief. I have served in various leadership roles such as team leader, section chief, platoon sergeant and plans and operations NCO. I am excited to work with the Timberwolves team and look forward to assisting you.
How Do You Support at Each Level?
At the 104th Division command, the G8 coordinates the development of the fiscal year budget for various types of funds. It provides ongoing advice and assistance on budgetary and resourcing matters, including interpretation of regulatory procedures for financial planning and funds control. It provides advice and assistance for the execution of funds. It reviews, evaluates, and executes budget request actions. It coordinates development of monthly and quarterly phase/091519spend plans by established suspense date, ensuring the funding obligation does not exceed the projected budget allocation. It tracks execution of fiscal year budget and conducts quarterly Working Program Budget Advisory Committee meetings with program managers to provide status of funding excesses or shortfalls.
The G8 gathers, consolidates, and reviews budget data for analysis against established criteria and trends. It analyzes input data, weighs cost factors, and evaluates current trends and anticipates other requirements. It ensures obligations occur on a timely basis in accordance with the phase/spend plan and approved training events within the amount programmed. It recommends the transfer of funds between elements of accounts within the same program, when needed. It contacts and briefs managers responsible for obligating resources, recommends changes when review indicates action is required. It prepares data summaries for inclusion in routine and special reports on budget execution.
The division G8 also works closely with each brigade S8 to determine their annual budget requirements. We manage and disburse the division funds to each subordinate brigade based on their individual budget requirements. The division G8 monitors and tracks the various accounts, government travel cards and defense travel system while allowing each brigade its own autonomy. We assist the brigade S8s with any questions they may have and provide them with guidance when needed. The division G8 is also responsible for auditing and inspecting our subordinate units.
While the division G8 does not have a great deal of direct Soldier interaction, we can and do assist with DTS issues, GTC issues and general finance related questions. We are always happy to assist with these problems but please remember to always notify your first line supervisor and try to use your local finance support, unit administrators and S8 first. Our division has an immense amount of knowledge in these areas so do not hesitate to use it.
What Training Does the G8 Undergo to Better Serve the 104th Division?
We at the division G8 take several different courses some are the typical distributed learning that everyone has to take such as the Travel Card 101 but others are much more time intense and take months to complete such as the Finance Captains Career Course and the Department of Defense Financial Management Certification. Some of the other courses we take are:
- Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution course
- General Fund Enterprise Financial Business System Financials
- Fiscal law
- Ethics
- Audit readiess
All finance related staff are also required by the Department of Defense to be Financial Management Certified at different levels and to conduct and submit regular continuing education credits. So your G8, S8 and other finance staff are fully qualified assist you.