FORT LEE, Va. (July 3, 2014) -- The 59th Ordnance Brigade welcomed Col. Jeffery A. Carter as its new top leader during a change of command ceremony Friday at Whittington Parade Field on the Ordnance Campus.
Carter replaces Col. Thomas A. Rivard, who has been in charge of the brigade since June 2012.
During the event, Brig. Gen. John F. Haley, Chief of Ordnance and the ceremony's reviewing officer, thanked Rivard for his leadership throughout his tenure.
"I'm especially grateful to have had Tom in place at a time when many challenges demanded nothing less than an experienced, committed, dependable and driven leader," he said. "Tom navigated the waters of change and delivered on everything that was expected of him and more. Tom has been a champion of training and, under his leadership, the brigade has had extraordinary success."
Haley also thanked Amy Rivard for her efforts within the brigade.
"To the Rivards, thank you for your service, your leadership and your contributions to the 59th Ordnance Brigade," he said. "We wish you good luck, Godspeed, and great success as you head to your next assignment as deputy director for strategic logistics, J-4, where you will continue to contribute to the sustainment and military logistics community."
Continuing with Army tradition, as one great leader leaves, he or she is replaced with another, said Haley.
"As we release Colonel Rivard from his duties as the commander of the (brigade), we acknowledge that we are losing an outstanding command team (Rivard and his wife)," he said. "But I am happy to say that we are gaining an equally awesome team in their place in Jeff and Suzanne Carter.
"The Army always ensures its formations are commanded by the best we can find and in this case, it is no different," he continued. "I would like to welcome the newest members of the Ordnance School family, Jeff and Suzanne Carter. They are a great command team that is more than qualified and capable to take on the task."
Haley said he has known Carter for more than seven years, and he knows he's up for the task of brigade command.
"He understands the importance of support to the war-fighter and is a proven leader who brings an extraordinary combination of talent and experience to the position," he said. "He knows the value of training and understands leader development. I am confident that he has what it takes to continue to move the 59th Ordnance Brigade (forward toward its) 21st Century demands."
After thanking his leadership for the opportunity to serve, Rivard praised his battalion and company command teams.
"I'm very grateful for the outstanding and quality leadership we have among the battalion command teams," said Rivard. "Our Soldiers became a reflection of me and Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Morris (the 59th Ord. Bde. CSM). Each and every day over the last two years, I was proud to know anyone could visit our area -- unannounced -- and that your Soldiers would be doing the right thing. I had complete confidence in your command climates and your subordinate units. That does not happen by accident."
Carter kept his remarks short, first thanking Haley for allowing him to take charge of the stellar brigade and then addressing the organization he now leads.
"I look forward to working with all of you as we continue to be the Army sustainment think tank and premiere learning institution, delivering game-changing professionals and solutions to our Army," he said.
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