Joint Munitions Command Celebrates Leader at SES Ceremony

By U.S. ArmyJuly 27, 2011

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By Darryl Howlett

JMC Public Affairs

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. " An historic day for the Joint Munitions Command meant an even greater day for one senior leader and her family.

Patricia A. Huber became the second Senior Executive Service member for the Joint Munitions Command during a July 25 ceremony on the Rock Island Arsenal.

Huber, a 28-year-federal employee and engineer by trade, is the executive director for ammunition for JMC. In this position, she is responsible for providing joint conventional munitions acquisition and production support to the Program Executive Officer for Ammunition (PEO Ammo) and readiness and logistics direction for all U.S. military service.

Brig. Gen. Gustave F. Perna, commanding general of JMC, spoke on the importance of Huber to JMC.

“This is a huge day for JMC, (Army Materiel Command), the Army and our country. That’s how important this (day) is,” he said. “Even though I have only been commanding general for JMC and the (Joint Munitions & Lethality Life Cycle Management Command) for a short time, I have come to appreciate the wisdom and dedication Trish brings with her to work every day. I greatly appreciate Mrs. Huber’s loyalty and moral courage.”

Describing Huber as a “professional’s professional,” he applauded Huber for having courage to speak her mind on the betterment of the command.

“So what is an SES? What is it that I’m asking from Trish? I’m asking her to perform, to lead, and to guide at an even higher level. She will be successful and she will lead us to success. I have complete confidence in her new role.”

Huber tried to explain in words what the day and the appointment meant to her.

“I am honored and humbled to have you all here for this event,” she said. “I will share with you that my original desire was to make this a short, in-my-office-type of event, but I was overruled.” she joked. “I’ve been in this career for over 28 years and have watched my leaders with great intent to capture those attributes that I believe make a good leader. Today, I am extremely fortunate to have a real leader as my commanding general. Although it has been less than a year that we have known each other, Brig. Gen. Perna, you have been a true inspiration in your leadership and commitment to the job and the Department of Defense. You make me want to come to work and give it my best.”

Huber also thanked her fellow SES, Jyuji Hewitt, deputy to the commander, JMC; employees within JMC and MLRC, ammunition producers, and the local community.

“I want to assure the Quad Cities that my heart belongs here. I am so appreciative of your support to this Island. Your dedication and effort is remarkable and admired. I know there are many other representatives from the Chamber of Commerce here, today, folks from other organizations to include (Association of the U.S. Army, National Defense Industrial Association, Industrial Committee of Ammunition Producers, Women In Defense) and many more acronyms that also make extra efforts to help this Island. It is strength in numbers that will keep this place alive, so please know you have my heart and support for all your efforts.”

Huber saved her most heartfelt thanks for her family, in particular, her husband, Bob.

“And finally, to my husband, Bob, who has done nothing but encourage and support me throughout my career. You’ve heard the saying, ‘it’s all about Bob’ and it really is for me,” she said. “You inspire me every day to work hard, to put balance in my life and to laugh and love life. I share this honor with you because I know I wouldn’t be here without you.”

Prior to her appointment as an SES, Huber served as the JMC’s Deputy for Munitions and Logistics Readiness Center from September 2006 to July 2011.

From its headquarters here, JMC operates a nationwide network of conventional ammunition manufacturing plants and storage depots, and provides on-site ammunition experts to U.S. combat units wherever they are stationed or deployed. JMC’s customers are U.S. forces of all military services, other U.S. Government agencies, and allied nations.

The Senior Executive Service was established in July 1979, under the Carter Administration. The SES concept was designed to reward, successful competent, highly motivated, successful senior personnel and to offer them increased responsibility and the chance to improve the management of major government programs and initiatives.