HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Program Executive Office for Aviation marked a milestone with the activation of the Cargo International product directorate during a ceremony May 7.
Michael Switzer took responsibility as the office's first centralized selection board civilian product director. Before his selection in this new role, Switzer was the Cargo Helicopters Project Office business management division chief.
"We welcome Mike as the first in that group of folks selected at the highest levels to take on this responsibility," said Col. Rob Barrie, Cargo Helicopters project manager who presided over the ceremony
Lt. Gen. Michael Williamson, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology and director of Acquisition Career Management, initiated the talent management board, providing an opportunity to select high-performing civilians with leadership potential while building a larger talent pool for future senior leader requirements. The board met Feb. 6 to approve positions for the newly-selected product directors.
The Cargo Helicopters Project Office has more than 340 Chinooks operating in more than 20 countries around the world, Barrie said. "The importance to that goes without saying. Having our allies operate our aircraft reduces the burden on our troops and makes them more interoperable with us as we continue to shift to the Pacific and change our strategic."
The mission and tasks that follow the activation of the Cargo international product directorate had already been in place. The team consisted of personnel from Security Assistance Command, Security Assistance Management Directorate, and the Cargo Helicopters project management team.
"What we're doing is taking this group, organizing it under one leader that was centrally selected and setting him up to take this organization to the next level," Barrie said. Additionally, the stand-up of this new organization bridges capability gaps in the production line in an efficient manner.
With nearly 33 years of combined civilian and military service and operational experience, Switzer has served in all aspects of operational, logistics, test and evaluation, and acquisition program management. He served in the Cargo Helicopters Project Office for 14 months as the business management division chief. His previous assignments include serving as the first product director for the Mission Support Aircraft, product manager for Scout Attack helicopters, exchange test pilot for the Test and Evaluation Command, detachment commander, operations officer, test pilot and scout aircraft branch chief, and platoon commander.
"That's a list of things which isn't as important as how he has done those things, why he's done those things, and the way he's done those things," Barrie said. "The Army has recognized it, and PEO Aviation has recognized it, and we look forward to seeing you continue that inside our Cargo family. You're the right guy for the job."
Switzer thanked those attending and focused on faith, family and professionals. He also thanked his mentors who have helped to guide him to do the right things. "Everything that I've become is because of others," Switzer said.
Among Switzer's goals is to "flood the production line," spread the security assistance and cooperation and the coalition warfare effort. "I look forward to serving with my team and to continue learning from all of you over the next three years," he said.
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