What Our Clients Say

Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences with members of the Somerville Consulting Group organization.  As the Naval Air System’s Command’s (NAVAIR) Director of Workforce Strategy, Acquisition, and Development, I led the implementation of Talent Management (TM) for the entire Logistics Competency.

I was completely unfamiliar with Talent Management when I received the implementation tasking.  As a senior manager, I was very skeptical about implementing yet another solution to NAVAIR’s problems, having endured numerous innovative solutions – that never quite achieved the promised impact. I was involved in every facet of the Talent Management implementation and worked closely with the members of Somerville Consulting Group.

My first, and lasting, impression was the caliber of talent and professionalism these professionals display.  They arrive prepared to provide and assist with everything you need: training materials, communication briefs for all levels of personnel, database and TM computer program, leadership dash boards, mobile app, etc. … literally everything.  They work tirelessly with the Subject Matter Experts to detail and tailor the information required for each skill set.  These members instructed, coached, discussed, and explained to literally thousands of employees with accuracy, courtesy, and patience.

Their communication skills are unsurpassed – I have watched them effectively explain elements of TM with Admirals, Senior Executives to Secretaries, and every level in between – appropriately adjusting their message for optimum impact and understanding.  I could not compressively tout their professionalism without commenting on their responsiveness.  Without fail, whenever I had a question or needed assistance, I would have a return call and have the ability for a thorough discussion with the Somerville Consulting Group professionals … that same day.  I believe that is a truly remarkable validation to their commitment to their customers.

More impressive than the Somerville Consulting Group members is the impact of their Talent Management product.  Completely erasing my initial skepticism, I am now a true believer and vehement endorser of Talent Management’s impact … it is a complete organizational “game changer”!

For the first time in NAVAIR’s history, training courses can be selected (and purchased) based on actual areas of improvement, which were identified as required for the job series and identified as lacking by the employee!  The decades of investing in training with no direct tie to organizational improvement are history.  Additionally, in-house training opportunities, like job rotations, can be identified to address specific employee skills needs.  Employee evaluations become an entirely different conversation since they are based on transparent criteria and progress is initially measured by the employee.  Promotional qualifications are visible across the organization, de-mystifying selections and minimizing the suspected subjectivity.  Same for selections into organizational professional training programs.   Talent Management saves the organization time and money; while also reducing non-convincing conversations regarding unfair promotions, evaluations, selections, etc.  Its significant value lies in the development, identification, and transparency of unified, comprehensive skills the organizations requires – for each competency (e.g. logistics, engineering, program management, finance, etc.) and for each level within the organization.  I cannot adequately describe my astonishment at the tremendous impacts Talent Management provided the thousands of Logistics members of NAVAIR.

I share my highest recommendation of Somerville Consulting Group, as a recipient of their unparalleled products and services.

While at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Adrienne, Michael, and I worked tirelessly to improve human capital management for the entire NAVAIR workforce. Adrienne and her team built a talent management system that quickly became the benchmark for not only the DON but the DOD as well. When I was Deputy Director, DOD Human Capital Initiatives, I asked Adrienne, Michael, and their team to present this system to the entire DOD acquisition workforce community, including the other Services and Agencies throughout the Department. Their work was met with resounding applause at the capabilities of the system and the strategy behind the concepts.

Adrienne, Michael, and Blair have that rare ability to look out over the horizon, see the future, and then make it happen. When they started working on the talent management system at NAVAIR, they had to convince Command leadership that the program would work. It didn’t take long before they managed to do that and so much more. They secured funding and built the system, using key stakeholder feedback and pilots along the way. Teams of people throughout the organization started using the system, supervisors starting realizing how much better they could work with their subordinates, and employees started seeing how their skills and competencies could benefit the organization and were able to look ahead for themselves, seeing a future they didn’t see before. Leadership realized this system exposed the talent across the enterprise and enabled transformational gains throughout.

Not only does this leadership team have vision, they exhibit all the most important qualities of leadership coupled with the technical and strategic skills to get the job done. They are smart, thoughtful, determined leaders who have built a company that can meet so many different needs for the workforce. From organizational analysis, analytics, career mapping, talent assessment, and policy and guidance to the technical realms of IT harmony, they have all the bases covered. I can’t wait to work with them again as they continue to grow this amazing business.

I have known Ms. Adrienne Somerville for over five years and have seen firsthand her passion and desire to excel in her personal and professional journey.  Adrienne continues to seek new learning opportunities, fresh challenges and sets goals that will enable her to achieve successful growth experiences.  Her unique ability to motivate others to achieve a higher sense of purpose is demonstrated in the relationships she has with others and through her community service endeavors. She is a leader that recognizes individual differences, and diligently works to meet the needs of all that she comes in contact with. It a pleasure to know Ms. Somerville.

Adrienne is a Committed, Determined, and Passionate Leader. She is one that needs little to no introduction, as her reputation speaks for itself. She is highly regarded amongst Peers, Government and Industry Officials, and Business Colleague, and well known for her dedication to the betterment and enrichment of the lives she encounter. It is my honor to call her both a friend and business colleague.

Adrienne’s ability to connect with the audience and communicate a powerful message that inspires women and men of all ages to take action is awe-inspiring. She can think quickly on her feet and has such a warm and genuine spirit that immediately creates a connection…..a true gift of any speaker.