Employee Spotlight – Jay Hauser

August 4, 2023

Meet Jay Hauser, a WBD Senior Consultant who joined the firm in November of 2022. Jay serves as Program Manager for our clients in the US Department of Defense and is also a writer for the WBD Intellectual Capital Group (ICG).

What does a typical day in the life of a Program Manager look like?

A day in the life of a US Department of Defense program manager at WBD is all about successfully executing and managing evolving client priorities. It is also about mastering the ability to successfully adapt and react to deliver impactful, measurable results to clients with minimal or no disruption to the greater client mission. Being an early riser, capitalizing on early, quiet morning hours affords me the opportunity to review my daily agenda, read and respond to emails, inquiries, and ad/hoc requests before the daily hustle and bustle ensues. Fostering continuous communication and shared knowledge between my dynamic team and our clients is imperative, so I place much emphasis on fluidly keeping the dots connected between my people and processes.

What three skills do you think are essential to do your job?

The ability to think critically and creatively
Impactful management of processes and people
The ability to lead with integrity and passion

What made you choose WBD and what makes you stay?

The ability to achieve big-time success with a firm that has a small-time feel. At WBD, our dynamic team of consultants are very much connected to one another and are more closely aligned when compared to other firms. In consulting, it’s easy to become lost in a sea of support but at WBD, I feel everyone is visible and valued, which is incredibly important to me. The unified, entrepreneurial spirit of WBD is both powerful and inspiring.

What do you value most about being a member of the WBD Intellectual Capital Group (ICG)?

The ICG affords me the opportunity to publicly share my knowledge, passion, and professional insight with others. I’ve always had an affinity for education – publishing content with the ICG allows me to achieve personal and professional goals I’ve set for myself while showcasing the incredible insight and knowledge WBD has to share with the world as we seek new and exciting endeavors.

What motivates you?

Over the course of my career, I’ve found that creating strategic objectives that parallel a meaningful vision better aligns organizations to achieve successful, sustainable competitiveness and performance. In support of high-visibility US Government clients, WBD empowers me to leverage key strategic management principles and better business initiatives to identify innovative ways of streamlining business processes and realizing efficiencies. Empowering me to succeed and to develop pathways to success for not only myself but for my colleagues and clients is what motivates me.

Who has been your most influential professional mentor?

My most influential professional mentor is my friend and colleague, Mr. Larry Mize, who currently serves as a US Department of Defense director and division chief. Having known Larry for over 10 years, I attribute much of my growth and success as a professional to his unwavering support and guidance during my tenure with the government and beyond. In considering the opportunity to join WBD for the next chapter in my career, Larry’s advice to me was clear – “Without question, this is absolutely the right decision for you.”

What advice do you have for people interested in becoming consultants?

Be confident in yourself and your abilities, be a selfless team player, and be willing to learn and grow from your varying experiences for the better.