In this issue, The AFIT Foundation recognizes Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Chris Svehlak, MAcc, MS, CCEA, Regional Lead and Senior Pricing/Cost Analysis SME at Hive Group.
Lt. Col. Svehlak received his MS in Cost Analysis from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1995. He joined the military due to the opportunity to pursue higher education. The Air Force paid for his undergraduate and graduate degrees and allowed him to see the world and get exposure to cultures, environments, and people from all walks and paths of life that he otherwise would not get a chance to experience. Lt. Col. Svehlak is now retired O5 and is fifteen years into his career as a federal contractor. He is the regional lead over a team of thirty, providing acquisition management, contracting, pricing, and cost analysis to the Department of Justice’s FBI Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He regularly presents professionally at annual ICEAA (International Cost Estimating & Analysis Association) training conferences and local chapter meetings. Lt. Col. Svehlak also manages three East Texas ranches (887 total acres of timber, hay and cattle), one Tennessee ranch (42 acres of hay and AirBnB home), and one Alabama property (22 acres & main home). Additionally, he plays golf, soccer, tennis, baseball year-round, referees league and high-school soccer, and is a trained bee-keeper.

Lt. Col. Svehlak’s favorite memory at AFIT was self-induced punishment in the form of late-night studying. He writes that this was because, “I teed it up at the Wright-Patt golf course every afternoon after classes were over!” AFIT trained and disciplined him to think critically and analyze deeply. He learned to employ smart statistics and data techniques to deep-dive and then recommend viable cost-benefit options to senior decision makers. These skills have earned him much trust, which has helped him to flourish, and propel his career in the very niche, high-demand/low-density career field of cost estimating and analysis.
When asked about what advice he would give to those considering entering the military, he says to just jump in and do it, as it will boost you in every way. He also advises people to carefully consider and choose the branch of service wisely, with an eye toward post-service employment. Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Svehlak!