Peter Parmentier
, Senior AssociateWhy did you choose Booz Allen?
I had interned at Booz Allen as a college student and was impressed with the firm’s values and with the bright and dedicated people I’d met. As a result, I knew that Booz Allen was a quality organization, and I applied for a full-time position after graduating.
Why have you chosen to stay at Booz Allen?
It’s a well-run organization, with stable management, quality people, and a strong commitment to its Core Values. As a company, we have consistent, reliable success in the marketplace, and the expectations for how we treat each other and our clients never change.
What type of work do you do at Booz Allen?
I manage a team of project managers and process improvement staff. My team oversees the development and deployment of applications for internal staff use, such as the firm’s travel-booking tool, expense reporting application, and financial system. I joined the GO Team after working on client staff, and I’ve used similar skills in both roles.
What excites you about your work?
What excites me is delivering process and technology improvements to Booz Allen staff to make their day-to-day work easier while also helping keep costs down. People come to us when they want to fix a process that isn’t working. We assess the process, map out who’s involved and how things flow, and architect a better solution, whether it’s using automation tools or reducing the data entry required. I also enjoy watching junior staff members on my team continue to grow and take on bigger and more complex projects.
Do you have a mentor at Booz Allen?
I have several formal and informal mentors. Usually what I look for in a mentor is a more senior perspective about things that are occurring in the organization, but I also seek career guidance: “What would you do?” Occasionally, I ask one of my mentors for help with a technical question.
What differentiates Booz Allen from other companies that you could work for? What makes Booz Allen special?
Our reliable performance in the marketplace and consistent growth make Booz Allen special, and there’s a very collegial work environment. We don’t treat people disrespectfully here, and that goes back to our Core Values. I also would say that the work here sets Booz Allen apart. I love to solve problems and create improvements, so every day I have all kinds of interesting challenges.
How has Booz Allen helped you be ready for what’s next in your career?
I’ve worked progressively through each level to this point, from summer intern to Senior Associate. When you first join the firm, you work on the basics, then you master those and move on to the next set of skills. It’s very foundational, and you always feel that you’re developing the functional skills and competencies you need for your next role. As I’ve matured in the organization, I’ve gained confidence in my personal judgment and decision making, and that will continue to help me in the future.
How does the work you do help Booz Allen be ready for what’s next? How has your and your team’s work made an impact for the firm?
The work I do helps reduce the firm’s overhead costs and the amount of staff time needed for non-value-added tasks while ensuring that we comply with government regulations. That makes Booz Allen increasingly efficient and competitive in the marketplace.
Can you talk about a time when you saw one or more of our Core Values displayed?
There was a conflict on a project once, and a newly hired staff member expressed her amazement at how we handled the issue. We conducted the discussion in typical fashion, which meant that there was no hostility whatsoever as we problem solved. Consistent with our Core Values, everyone was calm. It was, “Here’s where we are, here’s why, and here’s what we’re going to do.” I’ve worked at the firm for so long that the respect, professionalism, and teamwork didn’t surprise me.
