U.S. General Services Administration
Jackson hits 40 years with FAS
Eddie Jackson
Supply Service Representative
Federal Acquisition Service
National Customer Service Center
I like GSA and given the chance, I would do it all over again.
Where are you from?
I am from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Where do you live now?
I live in Kansas City, Missouri.
What was your first job?
Military recruiters visited my high school when I was a junior and encouraged us to join the services. I was 16 and thought it would be a great adventure, but I had to be patient and wait a year to enlist. I planned to serve in the U.S. Navy, but at age 17 they told me I was too young, so I went across the hall to the U.S. Army and they accepted my enlistment. I served in the U.S. Army for 7 years and when my term expired, I joined the Army Reserve for an additional 13 years.
What was your first federal government job?
GSA is the first and only federal agency, and I am still here 40 years later. I was living in Philly when I got a job at Region 3’s call center as a supply technician. In 2014 the call center was shut down and there were many GSA employees looking for jobs, and there weren’t very many positions available, so I took a buy-out and retired in December 2014. I didn’t really want to retire, but it seemed like the best option at the time, and it opened up other doors. I continued to seek another position but was also able to babysit my daughter’s children, and my wife and I traveled. I was actually on vacation in Florida when Region 6 FAS NCSC offered me a position. I was happy to receive an offer in my field, so my wife and I moved to Kansas City.
What has been the highlight of your career?
The highlight of my career was when I was stationed in Bosnia with the U.S. Army. I felt we made a difference in the world. Our service and protection saved lives. Our actions permanently altered lives for the better.
What are a few of the significant agency changes you have experienced during your federal career?
Changes happened with each change in administration. As soon as I get used to doing things one way, it switches to something else. I just have to adapt. When I joined GSA 40 years ago, we had a computer room and no laptops, and our phones were hard wired, and we did not have headphones. I remember that the first personal computers came with solitaire, and that was something exciting. One of the other significant changes is our ability to take care of business online instead of in person. We used to have to go to the human resource office to change anything, and our supervisors filled out a form when we requested time off.
What moments in your federal career stand out to you?
It was very difficult for me to leave Region 3. I knew everyone there, and they were my family. I came to Kansas City and had to start over.
What do you want others at GSA to know about pursuing a lifelong career with the federal government or GSA?
Take advantage of every opportunity your agency has to offer and find out what position is best suited for you. Enhance your career by learning new things and on-the-job training. Try it, no matter what it is. Better yourself.
Do you have any advice you’d like to share with new GSA employees?
Invest well in the TSP. Do not lose out on the matching.
What do you attribute your successful service to?
I attribute my good work ethic to serving in the military. Be all you can be.
How do you recharge your batteries?
My wife and I love to travel. We have been on about six cruises so far, and we want to see the world. We have been to Paris twice, Germany and Spain. Hawaii is on our bucket list along with a winter cruise to see the glaciers.