Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Evening Phone
References
Timeline
Generic

Vijaya Ramphal-Lane

Alexandria,United States

Summary

Dynamic travel management professional with extensive experience at the Department of Commerce, excelling in project management and travel policy compliance. Proven track record in optimizing travel budgets and enhancing vendor relationships, driving significant improvements in operational efficiency. Adept at data analysis and fostering collaboration across teams to achieve strategic objectives.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

Lead Travel Management Specialist

Department of Commerce
Washington, United States
02.2024 - Current
  • Company Overview: Serves as Lead Travel Management Specialist in the Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of the Secretary, Office of Financial Management, Office of Financial Reporting, Policy, Internal Controls and Travel, Travel Management Division.
  • Serves as Team Leader in the DOC Travel Management Division providing enterprise-wide project management by keeping abreast of travel industry requirements and guiding and instructing DOC senior leadership and staff on travel issues and developments.
  • Leads Travel Management Division staff to prepare DOC for the transition to the next generation of the electronic travel services system (ETSNext).
  • Advises management on travel industry practices and collaborates with the Office of Budget to ensure that the use of DOC travel funds complied with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTRs) and Appropriations Law.
  • Represents DOC Travel Management Division by attending the General Services Administration meetings regarding the conversion to ETSNext.
  • Regularly briefs leadership on ETSNext project updates and change management requirements.
  • Provides timely, reliable, and accurate service and support for both internal and external customers.
  • Perform studies and revise existing policies and procedures to ensure the effective implementation and execution of the multifaceted programs of an organization.
  • Reviews DOC employee travel packages for compliance with FTRs and Department policies.
  • Manages, assigns, tracks, and reviews travel analysis work completed by other travel division staff members.
  • Providing status updates and presentations to management and other staff on various travel-related topics.
  • Monitors and resolves travel card policy, reporting, and training requirements; and updates internal DOC enterprise-wide travel policy in accordance with government requirements.
  • Provides training on all aspects of travel, developing training materials and delivering presentations.
  • Ensure compliance in all aspects of government travel.
  • Manage travel management company and vendor relationships for Department of Commerce.
  • Drive continuous improvement with re-write of travel policy and metrics.
  • Serves as Lead Travel Management Specialist in the Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of the Secretary, Office of Financial Management, Office of Financial Reporting, Policy, Internal Controls and Travel, Travel Management Division.

Lead Traffic Management Specialist

Department of Defense - Defense Travel Management Office
Alexandria, United States
01.2023 - 02.2024
  • Company Overview: Serves as Lead Traffic Management Specialist in the Travel Services Branch, Travel Program and Services Division, Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), a component of the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) Headquarters.
  • Served as Team Leader in the DTMO analyzing enterprise-wide Defense Travel System (DTS) data and preparing information briefings, papers and reports, and recommendations.
  • Briefed management on DTS related contracts and agreement modifications that leverage changes in travel industry practices and ensures efficient and economical use of DoD travel funds.
  • Communicated to team the assignment, actionable events, milestones, and/or program issues and time frames for completion to ensure work meets program strategic objectives.
  • Presented travel policy and DTS information orally and in writing.
  • Advised supervisor and branch officials on travel issues, travel industry developments, and change management requirements.
  • Led travel team in selection and application of problem-solving methods and techniques, provided advice on work methods, practices and procedures, and assisted team members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution.
  • Collaborated with supervisor or manager to obtain program resources and secures information or decisions on major DTS work and travel issues that arise.
  • Trained team members in methods and techniques of team building and working in teams to accomplish tasks or projects.
  • Monitored and reported on the status of work, checking on progress and reviewing completed work to ensure meeting supervisor's work priorities, methods, deadlines and quality.
  • Led project management initiatives by maintaining travel program and administrative DTS reference materials, project files and relevant policies, procedures.
  • Prepared reports and maintained records of work accomplishments and personnel administrative information.
  • Led in presenting team's findings and recommendations on travel issues that have an impact on work objectives, products and/or tasks.
  • Researched, learned and applied a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to identify, assess, analyze and improve team effectiveness, efficiency and work products.
  • Serves as Lead Traffic Management Specialist in the Travel Services Branch, Travel Program and Services Division, Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), a component of the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) Headquarters.

Travel Financial Specialist

U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, United States
10.2015 - 01.2023
  • Company Overview: Served as Departmental Travel Program Manager providing enterprise-wide project management and advisory services in the transition, including change management, and implementation of the Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) electronic travel services (ETS2) system, ConcurGov.
  • With an annual travel budget of over $700 million, the DOI Travel Program supported more than 74,000 employees dispersed in 10 bureaus throughout the U.S.: traveling both within the continental U.S. (CONUS) and internationally to foreign locations outside of the continental U.S. (OCONUS).
  • Provided Departmental program leadership and technical guidance to senior staff of the Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, Departmental Offices and Bureau Directors in delivering travel services and financial management support.
  • Expert in researching and interpreting Federal laws and regulations such as the Federal Travel Regulations (FTRs), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs), Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) and financial management policies and procedures (Appropriations Law, Office of Management and Budget Circular A-123, etc.) that impact DOI’s SAP-based Financial Business and Management System (FBMS) and ETS2.
  • Also, implemented international travel policies established by the DOI Office of International Affairs in accordance with U.S. Department of State travel requirements.
  • Provided oral and written solutions with complex financial management, budgetary and travel issues.
  • Ensured sufficient internal controls are established for processing employee expenses and ConcurGov travel documents.
  • Led the DOI Travel Management Program in developing, updating, and implementing agency travel policies, applicable to OCONUS and OCONUS business travel, through the DOI Travel Policy working group.
  • Ensured DOI enterprise-wide travel policies and program activities for all CONUS and OCONUS air, car and lodging reservations that are included on travel authorizations and claimed on expense vouchers comply with FTRs.
  • Served as liaison to the U.S. Department of State for changes in foreign travel requirements, advisories and restrictions, country clearances and passport and visa applications.
  • Led DOI Bureaus, Offices and Regions in converting to ETS2 and administering the agency’s ConcurGov travel system in accordance with FTRs and General Services Administration (GSA) reporting criteria.
  • Oversaw Department-wide deployment of ConcurGov information technology (IT) system; provided guidance throughout blueprinting sessions and during system implementation.
  • Provided personalized travel services to the Office of the Secretary Political and Senior staff by auditing travel authorizations and vouchers to mitigate potential risks and ensure all costs claimed are allowable and reasonable in accordance with the FTRs.
  • Completed Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Federal Acquisition Certification as Project/Program Manager (FAC-PPM) training.
  • Administered implementation of DOI’s $2.5 million ETS2 contract with ConcurGov and the Duluth and El Sol travel management centers in accordance with FAR and FITARA; recommending necessary system changes to maintain program success.
  • Managed vendor relationships, project costs and schedule, consults with Contracting Officer to resolve contract matters, including issuing Notice of Cure for vendor with low key performance indicators, reviewed purchase orders and vendor invoices for completeness and accuracy, and tracked procurement documents in FBMS.
  • Analyzed and resolved complex financial transactions in FBMs and ConcurGov.
  • Manages ConcurGov interface with Tableau for developing data analytics of financial and travel metrics and dashboards.
  • Collaborated with Bureau, Office and Region travel staff and accessed FBMS to ensure travel funding obligations and expenditures do not exceed funding limits and are charged to the correct budget classification codes and lines of accounting.
  • Coordinated with the Office of Budget to prepare Travel Program budget justifications and manage budget execution and the Interior Business Center to resolve timekeeping and payroll issues.
  • Represented DOI on GSA City Pair Program and Lodging evaluation boards and ConcurGov User working group.
  • Advised the Office of the Chief Information Officer on resolving recommendations received from the Government Accountability Office and developing plans of actions and milestones (POAMs) to mitigate potential risks related to the Travel Program.
  • Prepared and submitted annual Premium First Class and Travel Reporting and Information Profile reporting requirements to GSA.
  • Attained Financial Management Associate Certificate – Federal Accounting Fundamentals, Budget Formulation and Appropriations Law.
  • Served as Departmental Travel Program Manager providing enterprise-wide project management and advisory services in the transition, including change management, and implementation of the Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) electronic travel services (ETS2) system, ConcurGov.

E-Gov Travel Management Specialist

CACI - U.S. Department of the Interior/Office of Secretary/Office of Financial Mgt.
Arlington, United States
04.2013 - 10.2015
  • Company Overview: Served as agency Travel Lead providing program management advisory services to the Departmental Offices Travel and Relocation Program Manager in implementing DOI’s enterprise-wide Electronic Travel Services (ETS2) travel management system, Concur Government Edition (CGE).
  • With a travel budget of over $700 million, the DOI travel program supports more than 74,000 employees.
  • Provided technical guidance and support to senior staff of Assistant Secretaries and bureaus in delivering high quality travel services.
  • Expert in researching and interpreting federal travel statutes, legislation, and financial management policy documents to provide oral and written solutions with complex travel and relocation issues.
  • Proficient in implementing Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and financial management policies and procedures (Appropriations Law, Office of Management and Budget Circular A-123, etc.) that impact ETS2 to ensure proper internal controls are established for processing CGE travel documents.
  • Responsible for providing technical liaison support for DOI’s E-Gov travel and relocation initiatives in compliance with FTR, FAR, and applicable financial management laws and regulations.
  • Conducted program analysis and evaluated internal controls to identify gaps in existing policies, Travel Management Directives, and financial management and travel policy standard operating procedures.
  • Served as key liaison between DOI and the travel management vendor, Concur.
  • Assisted in managing the DOI web-based Customer Complaint system to address complex, unique customer travel issues and resolve critical CGE deficiencies promptly.
  • Provided guidance on multiple travel initiatives including FTR, FAR, GovTrip, General Service Administration (GSA) ETS2 and other travel programs for air, car and lodging.
  • Designed and prepared DOI travel metric and cost reports from CGE extracted data using Cognos and Excel.
  • Provided agency representation at GSA sponsored CGE User Group, DOI Integrated Charge Card Partnership and Travel Special Interest Group meetings.
  • Attended training on Appropriations Law and Cognos to enhance existing knowledge and skills.
  • Experienced in fulfilling acquisition and procurement requirements in accordance with the FAR.
  • Assisted with drafting DOI Notice of Concern on CGE critical issues and currently working to obtain certification as a Contracting Officer’s Representative.
  • Served as agency Travel Lead providing program management advisory services to the Departmental Offices Travel and Relocation Program Manager in implementing DOI’s enterprise-wide Electronic Travel Services (ETS2) travel management system, Concur Government Edition (CGE).

Senior Program Analyst

General Dynamics Information Technology - U.S. Department of Defense Contract
Falls Church, United States
10.2010 - 04.2013
  • Company Overview: Managed travel program operations for the National Language Services Corp, and approximately 4000 on-call language certified specialists providing foreign language translation and interpretation activities to federal agencies during times of crisis.
  • Provide client management services to include follow-up on complex travel service issues and resolution and processing passports, visas, refunds, exchanges and split ticketing.
  • Consult with clients to recommend alternative routes, lowest available fares, booking class, and exchange rates.
  • Utilize automated systems to obligate, de-obligate, transfer and expedite funds.
  • Provide travel policy guidance and support for international documentation and health requirements.
  • Processed all employee travel and resolved matters for a multi-million-dollar travel contract awarded to deploy language experts nation-wide and internationally.
  • Oversaw General Dynamics’ passport and visa program.
  • Completed all travel allowances, per diem rates and related actions.
  • Supported an unlimited annual range between 85 - 4000 travelers.
  • Primary training instructor for travel orientation sessions with all travelers on the use of the Government Travel Charge Card and voucher reimbursement process.
  • Customer liaison between the agency and contracted/preferred suppliers and carriers.
  • Liaison to numerous mission support personnel for resolving complex travel issues.
  • Process 80-100 travel vouchers annually.
  • Implemented airline guidelines for national and international situations in accordance with the FTR, Federal Aviation Administration regulations, safety guidelines, and privacy violations.
  • Performed financial management functions by preparing travel commitments and obligations to reconcile travel budgets and ensure that the travel budget did not exceed appropriated limits.
  • Fulfilled acquisition requirements by procurement of laptops, keyboards and language translation equipment in accordance with the FAR.
  • Managed travel program operations for the National Language Services Corp, and approximately 4000 on-call language certified specialists providing foreign language translation and interpretation activities to federal agencies during times of crisis.

Senior Travel Analyst/Financial Management Analyst

Dell Services/Federal Government
Fairfax, United States
01.2005 - 10.2010
  • Company Overview: Provided travel and relocation reviews and audits to support internal cost controls for the U.S. Department of Defense Installation Management Command.
  • Worked in the Travel Management Office to conduct evaluations of travel and relocation program operations that provided the funding and authority for Overseas Temporary Change of Station.
  • Completed financial management functions for more than $15 billion in accordance with appropriations law, DOD guidance and Army financial management policy.
  • Developed standard operating procedure (SOP)/handbook and training to outline operational steps for deploying staff and Overseas Contingency Operations temporary travel in conjunction with agency continuity of operations program (COOP).
  • The SOP was used by more than 20 installations.
  • Developed more than 5 travel and relocation business processes to control funds including an on-line process that resulted in significant cost savings.
  • Instrumental in assisting with a policy change that allowed Army staff without a Government Credit Card to use Miscellaneous Charge Orders to charge travel expenses related to excess baggage.
  • Successfully completed Defense Travel System funding reviews and located hundreds of thousands in misappropriated funds.
  • Eliminated waste, fraud and abuse intentionally or unintentionally caused by travelers.
  • Supported the implementation of a web application to initiate, track, and approve military reservists for contingency active-duty tours.
  • Served as technical expert by troubleshooting travel issues.
  • Traveled to 11 installations to train staff and to achieve a streamlined process to ensure funds were electronically allocated to the correct line of accounting code.
  • Subject matter expert for the technical specifications and contract requirements created for multiple enhancements and technology refresh to the Defense Travel System.
  • Trained 3 major Commercial Travel Offices on policy requirements for government travel.
  • Provided travel and relocation reviews and audits to support internal cost controls for the U.S. Department of Defense Installation Management Command.

Team Lead

American Express Travel Related Services, Inc.
New York, United States
01.1994 - 12.2004
  • Company Overview: Managed a staff of 21 travel counselors assigned to visitor program contracts with the U.S. Department of State, ExxonMobil and Executive Travel Management Services.
  • Coordinated travel reservation transactions for bookings, air ticketing, and interfaced with over 30 contracted vendors/airline carriers.
  • Reviewed domestic and international itineraries to determine the lowest fares for clients.
  • Monitored corporate and leisure accounts sales estimated at $1-3 million and organized schedules and related travel documents, such as passports and visas, for international travelers.
  • Conducted reviews of international and domestic travel regulations, policy and guidance in accordance with the FTR to assist travelers with itineraries.
  • Interpreted the Federal Aviation Administration travel regulations and other federal and foreign policies regarding air carriers, international flights and general flight requirements complied with the FTR.
  • Created, reviewed and approved travel expense reports, and booked/changed client itinerary for hotels, airfare, taxis, rail and rental cars.
  • Supported a call-center environment with approximately 300 calls per day to achieve all travel arrangements, help desk requests and troubleshooting for more than 10,000 employees.
  • Used specialized programs to prepare fare quotes for multiple carriers for international and national travel using the Defense Travel System, Apollo, Sabre, and reservation software.
  • Assisted travelers to acquire and process passports and visas required for international travel.
  • Training instructor for more than 25 travel seminars with 20 participants each session from multiple industries.
  • Negotiated contract agreements with airlines and hotels which produced 5% - 10% volume discounts for travelers in accordance with the FAR.
  • Reduced employees’ overtime by reviewing the workload and projects of each employee requesting overtime and developing a strategy to keep employees on track with minimal interruptions and distractions.
  • Managed vendor relationships with commercial and charter airlines, hotels, cars and limousine services.
  • Managed a staff of 21 travel counselors assigned to visitor program contracts with the U.S. Department of State, ExxonMobil and Executive Travel Management Services.

Education

Bachelor's degree - Political Science

Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY, United States
05.1983

Skills

  • Project management
  • Travel policy compliance
  • Data analysis
  • Vendor management
  • Travel budgeting
  • Federal regulations

Affiliations

Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Member

Evening Phone

5717233867

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Lead Travel Management Specialist

Department of Commerce
02.2024 - Current

Lead Traffic Management Specialist

Department of Defense - Defense Travel Management Office
01.2023 - 02.2024

Travel Financial Specialist

U.S. Department of the Interior
10.2015 - 01.2023

E-Gov Travel Management Specialist

CACI - U.S. Department of the Interior/Office of Secretary/Office of Financial Mgt.
04.2013 - 10.2015

Senior Program Analyst

General Dynamics Information Technology - U.S. Department of Defense Contract
10.2010 - 04.2013

Senior Travel Analyst/Financial Management Analyst

Dell Services/Federal Government
01.2005 - 10.2010

Team Lead

American Express Travel Related Services, Inc.
01.1994 - 12.2004

Bachelor's degree - Political Science

Hofstra University

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