ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- The Commander of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Maj. Gen. Peter D. Utley, conducted a town hall meeting with his staff March 16 on Aberdeen Proving Ground.
During the town hall, Utley discussed the way ahead at ATEC and congratulated ATEC awardees for their accomplishments.
During the assembly, Utley announced his departure from ATEC in June for his next assignment as the Commander of the U.S. Military Training Mission Saudi Arabia, U.S. Central Command in Saudi Arabia. A number of other key staff members will also depart due to retirements and new assignments, including ATEC's Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Orosz, who relinquished command March 26 in preparation for his next assignment at U.S. Army North.
"There's no doubt in my mind the command is going to continue to function and perform its mission despite the departure of key leaders in the upcoming months," Utley said. "It's absolutely critical to lead through change." He said leaders at all levels must and will continue to lead and do what needs to be done to support their people through the change or departure of key leaders.
Over the past months, the Command's leadership have pro-actively responded to some of the concerns revealed in last year's command climate survey, particularly in the area of communications.
"Your concerns were heard," said Utley. "In response to the feedback you provided, we have done a lot of great deal of work with getting after communications," Utley said.
Utley addressed some of the great things the staff is doing to improve communications including the ATEC Chief of Staff, Karen Taylor, meeting with and leading small group sensing sessions in which personnel may voice their concerns and get a firsthand account of the current activities around the command. In the interest of increased transparency, the ATEC Chief of Staff decided to disseminate weekly meeting notes to the workforce and has leveraged the ATEC SharePoint site to create the Commander's Corner to enable the Commander to disseminate ATEC and Army command information and other internal communications across the command.
Given the on-going debate on sequestration and budget cuts, Utley discussed the impacts the 2011 Budget Control Act may have on the Department of Defense, and ATEC.
"The reality is that if the Budget Control Act funding levels remains in effect, it will continue to have a significant impact on the Department of Defense," Utley said.
He encouraged the workforce to remain vigilant and resilient as the Command continues to adjust to the fiscal realities.
Followed by Utley's remarks, staff office briefings from the ATEC Human Resources, G-1, Security, G-2, and ATEC's health and wellness coordinator were presented.
Judy Tredway, Human Resources Director at ATEC, discussed the Contribution-based Compensation and Appraisal System from the fiscal year 2014, along with the first half of 2015, in preparation of the upcoming mid-point appraisals due. Gordon Malone, human resource specialist at ATEC, presented an overview of the Academic Degree Training Opportunities ATEC has to offer.
Gale Sauer, health and wellness coordinator at ATEC, presented the Presidential Champion awards, for efforts put forth to be physically fit. Sauer also discussed the Worksite Wellness, the "You" Project, and Ready and Resilient resources available to ATEC personnel. For more information, visit www.atec.army.mil/r2c.
ATEC congratulates the below ATEC awardees:
Superior Civilian Service Award
George W. Bryant
Lorrie D. Chieffo
Robert G. Malone
Master Sgt. Linwood Parker
Commanders Award for Civilian Service
Ann P. Cambre
Victoria A. Dixon
Margaret C. Fetterman
Verna S. Freeman
Dana L. Fritts
Jessica D. Knight
Master Sgt. Linwood Parker
Frank G. Whitehead
Length of Service Awards
35 years of service:
Barbara J. Gaydos
Sheron L. Montgomery
Cindy L. Sheppard
30 years of service:
Christopher L. Akins
Edward V. Boris, Jr.
Anthony C. Ham
Gary N. Hettchen
Dwayne T. Hill
Deborah L. McMillan
Nancy M. Sheets
Maria L. Welsh
25 years of service:
Michael J. Ayd
Crista L. Claiborne
Robert B. Fulton
Timothy R. Hart
Cheryl A. Rickey
10 years of service:
Mark A. Deutsch
5 years of service:
Jennifer L. Bennett
Claudette M. Bushell
Jessica D. Knight
Melissa S. Magnaye
Ryan W. Thomas
Presidential Champion Award
Gold Award: Robbyn M. Berenda
Silver Award: Capt. Robert D. McCormick
Silver Award: Holly S. Travers
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