414th CSB has a new commander

By Mr. Ed Worley (Army Contracting Command)July 24, 2014

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The 414th Contracting Support Brigade has a new commander.

Col. Christine Beeler assumed command of the 414th from Col. Paul Pardew during a July 10 ceremony at the U.S. Army Garrison, Vicenza, Italy.

Beeler, formerly the executive to the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for procurement, accepted the command, greeting the ceremony attendees with "Buon giorna (good day) ya'll."

"I am honored this day to serve God, our country, the U.S. Army and the professionals and families of the 414th," she added. "I will use my authority as commander to fulfill my responsibility for the well-being of the brigade family, the stewardship of assigned resources, and the accomplishment of the brigade's mission.

"I am excited to be a partner in the perpetuation of the 414th's history of distinguished service to the nation. I take comfort in the demonstrated levels of competence, character, commitment and enthusiasm this team exhibits."

Maj. Gen. Ted Harrison, commanding general, Army Contracting Command, hosted the ceremony and pointed out that Beeler "is no stranger to the command." She began her contracting career in 2001 and has been a contracting officer, director of contracting, course director of the Army Acquisition Basic Course and commander of the 408th CSB's Kuwait Contracting Command.

"Welcome back to the ACC family, Chris," he continued. "I truly believe that you are the right leader for the 414th Contracting Support Brigade. I have absolutely no doubt that the 414th is in good hands with you at the helm."

Harrison also thanked Pardew, the 414th's first commander, for his leadership in building the brigade's readiness and providing contracting support to the U.S. Army Africa and U.S. Africa Command.

"He forged the 414th team as you know it today--a team that has executed more than 1,300 contracting actions valued at more than $133 million, including the first-ever Africa Limited Life Support contract," Harrison said.

"Paul's initiatives did not stop at this team's internal processes. It extended to the 414th's operational contracting support as well," Harrison added. "Through his keen insight, Paul recognized the developing need Army Africa would have for a regional contracting team and immediately established one. This remarkable accomplishment is currently providing both Army Africa and Special Operations Command Africa with the contracting support they need, the moment they need it."

Pardew reflected on his tenure as the 414th CSB commander.

"It's been an amazing and rewarding experience," he said. "I would just like to thank all the local national employees, the Department of Army civilians and the military personnel that make up the 414th CSB. The growing AFRICOM, SOCAF and USARAF mission has been a great challenge which we have approached through strategic contract solutions, direct engagements and staff integration with the supported commands."

Pardew is heading to the Pentagon where he will be the director of the Operational Contract Support and Services Division, Joint Staff J-4.