65th Air Base Wing Civilian Personnel E-Newsletter

65th Air Base Wing
Newsletter Date: January 2011
Lajes Field Azores Portugal
65th Air Base Wing
Civilian Personnel E-Newsletter
CIVILIAN PAY FREEZE
Civilian Personnel Phonebook:
In our continuing efforts to
provide you quality service,
the Lajes Field Civilian Personnel Flight encourages all
customers to call ahead to
make an appointment so that
we may better assist your
needs. The section telephone
numbers are listed below:
Civilian Personnel Officer
Monica Ritze
535-6363
Classification
Eleanore Smits
535-5152
Gina Cardoso
535-6240
Ilda Moreira
535-3124
Staffing
Eleanore Smits
535-5152
Lou Andrade
535-3385
Isidro Nunes
535-6329
Employee Relations
Carla Leal
535-4160
MJ Ormonde
535-5127
Geoff Patterson
535-3119
Training
Connie Santos
535-3508
MJ Ormonde
535-5127
Human Resource Assistant:
Jolee Berry
535-4208
Customer Service
Miguel Janeiro
535-5137
President Obama on Dec. 22,
2010, issued an executive order freezing civilian pay for two
years, though workers still will
qualify for promotions and step
increases. In a Dec. 30 memo
sent to agency heads, OPM
Director John Berry clarified
which types of raises are excluded from the freeze.
The freeze will affect nearly 2
million employees under the
General Schedule, Executive
Schedule, Senior Executive
Service, Senior Foreign Service,
senior-level and scientific and
professional, prevailing rate,
and other executive branch pay
systems and schedules, Berry
wrote. It will not, however, affect
military personnel, U.S. Postal
Service workers or Postal Regulatory Commission employees.
No dia 22 de Dezembro de
2010 o Presidente Obama
emitiu uma ordem executiva
para congelamento dos
salários dos funcionários
civis durante dois anos,
embora os trabalhadores
possam ainda beneficiar de
promoções e de
diuturnidades. Num
memorando enviado a 30 de
Dezembro aos Chefes de
Agência, o director do OPM ,
John Berry, esclareceu quais
os tipos de aumentos que
serão excluídos do
congelamento.
Segundo escreveu Berry, o
congelamento afectará cerca
de 2 milhões de
trabalhadores no âmbito do
General Schedule, Executive
Schedule, Senior Executive
Service, Senior Foreign
According to the memo, the pay Service, assim como as
freeze does not apply to:
remunerações actuais dos
postos de trabalho científicos
- Performance awards and boe profissionais e outros
nuses; recruitment, relocation
sistemas de remuneração do
and retention incentives; and
Poder Executivo. Não
premium payments such as
afectará, contudo, os
overtime pay;
militares, os trabalhadores
- Promotions, periodic withindo Serviço Postal dos EUA ou
grade step increases based on funcionários da Comissão
fully successful level of perform- Reguladora do Serviço
ance, and quality step increases Postal .
for outstanding performance;
- Adjustments in foreign areas
Segundo a nota, o
to maintain a constant salary
congelamento de salários
rate in U.S. dollars, or local
não se aplica a:
currency, or to respond to foreign labor laws; and
- Prémios de desempenho e
bónus, incentivos de
recrutamento, deslocação e
The pay freeze is currently
retenção; e pagamento de
scheduled to expire 31 Dec
horas extraordinárias;
2012.
- Promoções, aumentos
periódicos dentro de cada
classe com base no nível de
desempenho bom ou
excepcional;
- Ajustes em zonas do
estrangeiro afim de manter
uma taxa salarial constante
em dólares dos EUA ou em
moeda local ou para cumprir
com as leis estrangeiras.
O congelamento de salários
está previsto expirar a 31 de
Dezembro de 2012.
PAGE 2
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Designated Portuguese Holidays
Feriados Oficiais Portugueses Para 2010
In accordance with Article 51 of the Work Regulation,
the following Portuguese holidays will be observed in
2010:
De acordo com o Artigo 51 do Regulamento de Trabalho,
serão observados os seguintes feriados portugueses
durante o ano de 2010:
New Years Day*
Mardi Gras
Good Friday
Day of Liberty
Day of the Worker*
Day of Portugal
Espirito Santo Monday*
Corpus Christi
Praia da Vitoria Day
Assumption Day
Founding of the Republic
All Saints’ Day
Restoration of Independence Day
Immaculate Conception
Christmas Day*
Ano Novo*
1 Janeiro
Carnaval
08 Marco
Sexta-feira Santa
22 Abril
Dia da Liberdade
25 Abril
Dia do Trabalhador*
1 Maio
Dia Do Portugal
10 Junho
Segunda Feira E. S.*
13Junho
Corpo de Deus
23 Junho
Feriado Municipal Praia da V. 11 Agosto 11Agosto
Dia da Assunção
15 Agosto
Implantação da República
5 Outubro
Dia de Todos os Santos
1 Novembro
Restauração da Independência
1 Dezembro
Imaculada Conceição
8 Dezembro
Dia de Natal*
25 Dezembro
1 January
08 March
22 April
25 April
1 May
10 June
13 June
23 June
11 August
15 August
5 October
1 November
1 December
8 December
25 December
**In accordance with article 51 of the work regulation, when the holiday falls on a regularly scheduled non-work day, the employee shall not be entitled to any remuneration or additional day off for such holiday.
Federal US Holidays for 2011
Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees. Please note that
most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. For these employees, when a holiday falls
on a non-workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on
Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).
Friday, December 31
New Year’s Day
Monday, January 17
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday.
Monday, February 21
Washington’s Birthday
Monday, May 30
Memorial Day
Monday, July 4
Independence Day
Monday, September 5
Labor Day
Monday, October 10
Columbus Day
Friday, November 11
Veterans Day
Thursday, November 24
Thanksgiving Day
Friday, December 26
Christmas Day
65TH AIR BASE WING
PAGE 3
PORTUGUESE LEAVE SCHEDULES
Supervisors of civilian employees are reminded of their responsibility to establish annual leave
schedules through the end of the leave year. This requirement is to be completed by 15 April for
Portuguese employees, reference Article 54 of the Work Regulation.
Schedules shall be completed and posted in all work areas. The reasons for establishing the schedules are: to avoid conflicts during the popular leave time, help ensure that leave is not forfeited at
the end of the leave year, and to ensure that employees take time off during the year so that their
productivity remains high.
If there is no agreement on the leave schedule for Portuguese employees, the supervisor may schedule the employee’s vacation between 1 May and 31 October. However, before making any determination, you should contact the Civilian Personnel Office for advise/details.
Note: Employees belonging to the same household shall have the option of taking their yearly vacation period at the same time, unless a determination is made that priority job requirements exist.
(Reference: Article 54, Work Regulation)
MARCAÇÃO DE FÉRIAS PARA FUNCIONÁRIOS PORTUGUESES
Lembramos aos chefes de que é da vossa responsabilidade estabelecer um plano de férias anual.
De acordo com o artigo 54 do Regulamento de Trabalho, este requisito deve ser finalizado até ao
dia 15 de Abril para os trabalhadores Portugueses. O plano de férias deverá ser afixado em todas
as áreas de serviço. As razões para se estabelecerem os planos de férias são as seguintes: evitar
conflitos durante a melhor época para férias, ajudar a evitar a perca de férias no final do ano e
para assegurar que os trabalhadores tirem férias durante o ano para que não baixe a sua
rentabilidade.
Caso não haja acordo no plano de férias dos trabalhadores Portugueses, o chefe pode marcar as
férias do trabalhador no período compreendido entre 1 de Maio e 31 de Outubro. Contudo,
recomenda-mos que antes de tomar a sua decisão deverá contactar o Escritório de Pessoal Civil
para obter mais informações.
Nota: Os trabalhadores pertencentes ao mesmo agregado familiar terão a faculdade de gozar
simultaneamente o seu período anual de férias, salvo se for considerada a existência de
necessidades prioritárias de serviço. (Referência: Regulamento de Trabalho, Artigo 54)
PAGE 4
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
WORK SCHEDULES FOR PORTUGUESE CIVILIANS
Supervisors are reminded to submit employee’s work schedules for uncommon tours of duty or shift
work to the Civilian Personnel Flight thirty (30) days prior to the proposed implementation date to allow
for HAAZ coordination and DST approval.
Portuguese employees cannot be assigned to work hours, shifts or days that deviate from their officially
approved work schedules without prior approval of Portuguese authorities. Also, any work schedules
outside Lajes regular duty hours (0800 to 1700, Monday thru Friday) are considered irregular work
schedules and must be submitted for approval.
Changes to approved work schedules are only permissible if: (1) the employee is in agreement and, (2) it
is for very limited periods of time or (3) when unforeseen cases take place (illness, accidents, etc). Vacation cannot be considered as an unforeseen case.
The following information must be provided with approval requests:
One original plus five (5) copies of the work schedule; Employee’s statement concurring or nonconcurring with specific reasons.
When preparing work schedules please refer to section 9.1.5 of LFI 36-101 for guidance
Approved work schedules must be posted in the work place so that they are available for review by employees. Proposed work schedules cannot be implemented prior to approval.
For additional information please contact the Employee Relations Section at extension 535-5137.
HORÁRIOS DE TRABALHO PARA TRABALHADORES
PORTUGUESES
Lembramos os chefes de que os horários de trabalho para os trabalhadores portugueses com horário
irregular ou a trabalhar por turnos devem ser enviados ao Escritório de Pessoal Civil trinta (30) dias antes da data proposta para a sua implementação, para conceder ao Comando da Zona Aérea Portuguesa
tempo para os coordenar e enviar os mesmos para aprovação do Delegado Regional de Trabalho.
Os trabalhadores portugueses não poderão trabalhar em horas, turnos ou dias diferentes dos estipulados nos repectivos horários de trabalho aprovados, sem prévia autorização das autoridades portuguesas. Além disso, todos os horários de trabalho fora do horário regular das base das Lajes (08:00 - 17:00,
de segunda a sexta-feira) são considerados horários irregulares e devem ser enviados para aprovação.
Apenas são permitidas alterações ao horário de trabalho aprovado nas seguintes situações: (1) se o
trabalhador estiver de acordo e; (2) se as mesmas forem por períodos de tempo muito limitados ou; (3)
para substituir outro trabalhador em casos imprevistos (doenças, acidentes, etc). As férias não são consideradas casos imprevistos.
Deverá fornecer a seguinte informação quando submeter os horários para aprovação:
Um original e cinco (5) cópias do horário de trabalho;
Declaração de concordância/não concordância dos trabalhadores e respectivas razões;
Ao elaborar os horários consulte a secção 9.1.5 do LFI 36-101 para orientação.
Os horários de trabalho aprovados devem ser afixados no local de trabalho para consulta dos trabalhadores. Os horários de trabalho propostos não podem ser implementados antes de serem aprovados.
Para mais informações, é favor de contactar a Secção de Relações de Trabalho através dos telefones
535-5137.
65TH AIR BASE WING
PAGE 5
Annual Performance Evaluations
As a reminder, the annual rating cycle for US civilians is 18 July 2010 through 31 March 2011
and for Portuguese civilians is 1 April 2010 through 31 March 2011. With the end of the cycle
fast-approaching, it’s time to begin thinking about annual performance evaluations.
The end of the rating cycle is when supervisors must review performance requirements, ensure
that good performance is recognized and appreciated, and identify any work deficiencies and/
or training needs. The goal of this program is to improve the work performance of individual
employees by strengthening supervisor-employee relationships. Each employee must be
evaluated at the end of the rating cycle. This means that starting 1 April 2011, you should begin the evaluation process.
The Civilian Personnel Office will establish timelines and offer training sessions in order to
assist you with this process. Training sessions will be announced soon.
AVALIAÇÃO ANUAL DO DESEMPENHO PROFISSIONAL
Chamámos a vossa atenção para o facto do período de avaliação anual para os civis americanos ser de 18 de Julho de 2010 a 31 Março de 2011 e para os civis portugueses ser de 1 de
Abril de 2010 a 31 de Março de 2011. Ao aproximar-se o fim do período de avaliação, está na
altura de começar a pensar sobre as avaliações anuais.
Nessa altura os chefes deverão rever os requisitos de desempenho, garantir que os bons desempenhos sejam reconhecidos e recompensados e identificar algumas deficiências no trabalho
e/ou necessidades de treino. Este programa de avaliação tem por objectivo melhorar o desempenho dos trabalhadores fortalecendo a relação chefe/trabalhador. Cada trabalhador deverá ser
avaliado no fim deste período. Isto significa que a partir de 1 de Abril de 2011 deverá iniciar a
avaliação dos seus empregados.
O Escritório de Pessoal Civil irá estabelecer um guia cronológico e oferecer sessões de treino
para o ajudar neste processo. As sessões de treino serão anunciadas em breve.
PAGE 6
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Supervisory Training
Initial training for all newly assigned supervisors helps to bridge the gap between the skills
required at the working level and those required at the supervisory level. Therefore supervisory training is priority one (1) on the Air Force Priority Scale. The only approved source for
supervisory training is by attending the on-line courses offered through the Air Force Human
Resource Management School.
Before supervisors assume their new duties or within 6 months after assignment to a supervisory position, first-level supervisors will be provided initial training consisting of:
USAF Supervisors Course
Civilian Personnel Management Course
Military Personnel Management Course
USAF Supervisors Course: This course is primarily designed to provide first-level supervisors,
regardless of organizational component, with basic general leadership and management
skills required in supervisory positions. This training is conducted on-line.
USAFE Civilian Personnel Management Course (CPMC): This course is primarily designed to
provide military and civilian first-level supervisors with background information and an understanding of applicable personnel laws and regulations needed to effectively carry out
their civilian personnel management responsibilities. This training is conducted on-line.
USAF Military Personnel Management Course (MPMC): This 16-hour course is designed to
provide first-level civilian supervisors the basic skills, knowledge, and abilities required to
supervise military personnel. This training is conducted on-line. First-level civilians who supervise military members must attend this course.
To sign up for these mandatory Supervisory Courses you will need to go to the Virtual Campus link:
https://www.my.af.mil/afknprod/community/views/home.aspx?Filter=AF-ED-00-38
If you have any questions on Supervisory Training or required assistance, please contact
Connie Santos at 535-3508.
65TH AIR BASE WING
On-Line Civilian Benefits Courses For US Civilians
On-line benefits courses for Federal civilian employees are now available on the Employee Benefits
Information System (EBIS) as eSeminars. This training applies to appropriated fund Air Forceserviced civilian employees at all stages of their careers. The audio-video presentations make use
of the Macromedia Flash plug-in; so you will need to have speakers connected to your computer in
order to listen to the audio portion of the seminars. If you don't have speakers, you can press the
Notes button in the lower right-hand corner of the screen and view the text that is being narrated
on each slide. You may start, stop, and review each of the lessons at any time. The program will
even remember where you left off if you need to stop and go back to it again later.
You can access these course through EBIS via the Air Force Portal or the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) secure link. For detailed instructions for accessing EBIS, please click
here
<https://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cgi-bin/askafpc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?
p_faqid=4872&p_sid=iF61u7jk&p_lva=8585&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9z
b3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTAsMTAmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3
BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWxlYXZlIGNyZWRpdCBmb3IgbWlsaXRhcnk%2A&p_li=> .
Once logged into EBIS, click the eSeminars icon at the top of your screen to see the list
of courses you can choose from.
There are 3 training modules:
1. Planning for Your Retirement
This course will give you a detailed understanding of the benefits you are entitled to under
the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and/or the Federal Employees Retirement System
(FERS), Social Security, Medicare, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the Federal Employees Health
Benefits (FEHB) program, Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance, the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program, and the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program.
http://www.lajesfss.com/websiteimages/cpo/sickleave.pdf
2. Financial Planning
Financial Planning. This course is designed to assist you with proper management of your finances so you can meet your life goals. It is devoted to the topics of insurance, taxes, investment options, investment planning, and estate planning as you plan for your future and for
retirement.
3. New Employee Benefits Orientation
New Employee Benefits Orientation. This course will provide new employees with an understanding of each federal benefit program (FERS, FEHB, FEGLI, TSP, LTC, FSA, and Social Security); it
explains how each program works and how to receive the maximum benefit from each program.
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
English Exams For Portuguese Applicants
The Training Section of the Civilian Personnel
Flight is responsible for administering the
American Language Placement Test (better
known as the English exam) as well as typing
tests for both base employees and off-base job
candidates.
English exams reverted to a permanent status
for anyone testing as of August 2007, per coordination with USAFE. In order to be at the A
level (basic) you need to have a minimum of 50
points; B level (intermediary) 70 points; and C
level (advanced) 90 points.
Typing tests are administered for employees
who require certification as a qualified
typist. Qualified typists must type 40 words
per minute with a maximum of 3 errors.
Employees’ current position descriptions
must state the requirement of a Qualified
Typist in order to be exempt from the typing
test requirement. As of January 2009, typing
tests are valid for 3 years based on Office of
Per-sonnel (OPM) Qualifications Standards.
For questions on the English exam please
contact Connie Santos at 535-3508. For
questions on the typing test please contact
M.J. Ormonde at 535-5127.
Exames de Inglês Para Candidatos Portugueses
A Secção de Treino de Pessoal Civil é responsável por administrar os exames de Língua de Inglês, bem como, os testes de dactilografia, tanto a empregados da Unidade, como a candidatos de emprego na mesma Unidade.
Por coordenação do USAFE os exames de Inglês, realizados apartir de Agosto de 2007, terão um estatuto permanente. O nível básico de classificação
A, exige um resultado mínimo de 50 pontos; o nível intermédio B de 70 pontos; e o nível C um mínimo de 90 pontos.
Os testes de dactilografia serão administrados a empregados da Unidade, que necessitam de certificado de dac-tilógrafo qualificado. Os dactilógrafos
qualificados devem dactilografar 40 palavras por minuto, com um máximo de 3 erros.
As actuais descrições de serviço dos empregados, devem indicar a exigência ou não, de um Dactilógrafo Qualifi-cado, de forma a descreverem nas
mesmas a isenção ou não, da referida exigência. Apartir de Janeiro de 2009, os testes dactilografia serão válidos por um período de 3 anos, de acordo
com os padrões de qualificação do OPM.
Em caso de dúvidas relacionadas com os exames de Lingua Inglesa, por favor contactar Connie Santos pelo tele-fone 535-3508 e Maria João Ormonde em caso de dúvidas relacionadas com os testes de dactilografia, através do número 535-5127.
Civilian Employment Opportunities
The Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) has launched the AF-wide Single Staffing Tool (SST) effective 15 Nov 2010.
Air Force civilians interested in employment are required to apply through USAJOBS utilizing a resume. Vacancy announcements are posted
at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/
The CPO office offers a class once a month at the Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC). This class may assist is navigating
through the USAjobs website and resume building. The next class is scheduled for 24 Feb 2011 from 1300 to 1500.
The following locations will continue under current recruitment processes until further notice. All current permanent AF employees interested
in applying for jobs internally at, Arnold AFB, TN, Brooks AB, TX, Edwards AFB, CA, Eglin AFB, FL, Hanscom AFB, MA, Hurlburt Field, FL,
Hill AFB, UT, Kirtland AFB, NM, Luke AFB, AZ, Robins AFB, GA, Tinker AFB, OK, and Wright-Patterson, OH; will continue to apply via AFPC
Secure Employment Website
http://www.afciviliancareers.com/index.php
**The Civilian Personnel office has available space for civilians working on applications for
the USAjobs website. A computer, scanner, fax machine and printer may be provided.
65TH AIR BASE WING
PAGE 9
Performance of Duties not Included in the Position Description
With our ever changing work processes, managers may be tempted to ask
their USAFORAZORES employees to perform work that is not described in
the position description assigned to the employee. If managers find themselves in this situation for an expected period of more than 30 days, DO
NOT assign what you believe is higher grade work, without contacting the
Civilian Personnel Office for assistance.
In accordance with (IAW) the Labor Agreement Article 6, Section 1, Portuguese employees are bound to USAFORZES by a work contract which is
manifested by a position description and other documents.
IAW with the Work Regulation Article 11, Section 1, the employee must perform work related to the specific position for which he/she was employed
without prejudice to the following paragraphs: IAW Section 2, an employee
may be temporarily assigned duties not included in the position description
when USAFORZES interests so require it, provided this change does not entail a reduction in pay or substantial change in the employee’s position.
There are many ways we can remain in compliance with our agreements
and merit principles, accurately document, credit and reward employees for
their contributions and hard work, and help managers meet their Air Force
mission, without being in violation with the Labor Agreement and Work
Regulation. Please contact Nora Smits at 535-5152.
Thrift Savings Plan for 2011
During 2011, Civil Service Retirement System
(CSRS and CSRS Offset)
and Federal Employees
Retirement
System (FERS) employees may contribute up
to the maximum Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) elective deferral
limit of $16,500. This
amount remains unchanged from the elective
deferral limit for 2009 and
2010. In addition, CSRS
and FERS employees age
50 or older (or will reach
age 50 during 2011), who
will reach the IRS elective
deferral limit during 2011
for regular contributions
or other eligible accounts,
may contribute an additional $5,500 in TSP
catch-up contributions.
www.tsp.gov
PAGE 10
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Civilian Retiree Cards
The Department of Defense has authorized retired DoD civilian employees an identification card. This card is a trusted credential used to establish identity and affiliation with the Department of Defense and will provide retired DoD civilians with a
uniform DoD identification card that can be easily recognized at any DoD base or facility within the United States and its territories or possessions. Those eligible for the card are civilians who retire from any DoD Service Component or Agency. A sample DoD civilian retiree card is displayed below.
In accordance with DoD Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) policy, limited use of military MWR activities are permitted
at the discretion of the installation commander. The installation commander retains the authority to restrict access to MWR
facilities for reasons such as local demand, facility capacity, and security concerns. Service civilian retiree IDs remain valid.
Lajes Field Military Saves Campaign
The Department of Defense and Lajes AB will observe Military Saves Week February 20-27, 2011. The Military Saves Campaign is a
total force, command level program, fully supported by the leadership at Lajes. The program is free to enroll and could lead your family to reach your financial dreams and goals.
Lajes A&FRC will host “Brown Bag” Lunch Time Classes from 12:00 to 13:00 (Tuesday –Friday)
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

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Tues, 22 Feb: Developing Smart Financial goals
Wed, 23 Feb: Developing a Spending Plan to Reach Financial goals
Thurs, 24 Feb: using the TSP to reach retirement goals
Friday, 25 Feb: Developing Net Worth Statement
A goal at Lajes is to educate and motivate all families to save their hard earned money for both emergencies and their personal financial goals. The Military Saves week is only a 4 days but the campaign is year long. The A&FRC offers financial classes on Thursdays
at 15:00 to 16:30.
Please contact Mr. James McDaniel at 535-4138.
65TH AIR BASE WING
PAGE 11
Civilian Personnel Office
Lajes Air Base, Portugal
Bldg T-112
P.O.Box 8010
APO AE 09720-6856
Phone: 295-57-5137
DSN: 535-5137
E-mail: first name.last [email protected]
65 FSS/FSMC Web Page
Employee News!
The Civilian Personnel Office
welcomes two new employees!
Mrs. Jolee Berry is the new Human Resources Assistant. She
had previously worked for
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University as an education counselor.
Mr. Geoff Patterson is the new
Employee Management Relations Specialist. He had previously been working for the US
Navy as an Education Services
Specialist and brings over 20
years of human resource experience.
Please stop by and welcome
our newest members!
The CPO Team … Ready to assist you!