Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce welcomes new RIA leaders

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce leaders hosted a community dinner to welcome the new First U.S. Army, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and U.S. Army Garrison Rock Island Arsenal leadership at a local restaurant in Moline, Illinois, Oct. 19.

During the meeting, attendees discussed public engagement and community relations between the Rock Island Arsenal and the public.

"We are deeply committed to make sure that we are not just good friends and good neighbors, but also good colleagues and advocates," said Tara Barney, CEO of the Q-C Chamber.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty, commanding general, First Army, talked about the value of the arsenal, and he thanked the community leaders for their support.

"Rock Island Arsenal is a crown jewel in our Army -- it absolutely is -- not only for its beauty, but also for what it provides strategically for the Army," said Twitty, who took command of First Army in July. "Thank you all for what you do for our Soldiers and what you provide for the arsenal."

Both Twitty and Maj. Gen. Edward Daly, commanding general, ASC, emphasized that RIA is important to the Army's mission worldwide.

"The commands represented here tonight span the globe," said Daly, who took command of ASC in August. "They're in about 30 different countries, have over 50,000 employees, and are in all 50 states."

Daly continued, saying that the activities coordinated from commands on RIA contribute directly to the Army's readiness through training and equipping military forces.

Gen. Mark Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army, has stated that readiness is his number one priority. All of the commanders on the island also emphasize readiness among their top mission priorities.

Daly, who is also the RIA senior commander, said the arsenal is dedicated to fostering positive relationships.

"We are absolutely, unequivocally committed to our partnership," he said. "I think the great relationship we have had in the past will only progress and expand."

Col. Kenneth Tauke, garrison commander, RIA, talked about the arsenal's assets, including a large and dedicated civilian workforce. Tauke took command in June.

"This is a community that is invested in the island, and I see that every day," he said. "I deeply appreciate the workforce, what they do, and how they come into work every day, I could not ask for a more professional team."

Tauke also introduced what he said is the arsenal's current campaign plan targeted towards increased public engagement and community interaction with the Army.

"We want to tell the Army story, but more importantly, we want to tell the Army in the Quad Cities story," said Tauke.

Tauke discussed several efforts to improve RIA that the plan will help to publicize. Some of these include the garrison's ongoing projects to build more than 70 on-island housing units for Soldiers, to improve the island's energy efficiency and infrastructure, and to increase public use of island resources like the RIA Golf Course. He said he is working with local schools and universities to encourage them to use the golf course.

"We want a secure installation, but also we want to have an accessible installation," he said.

Daly said the plan is intended to be collaborative, and he asked for community leader engagement.

Tauke said he looks forward to participating in community events.

"You should never feel like you should not ask us to be at events, because we want to be there," he said.

Daly further assured attendees that they will be very pleased with the participation that comes out of RIA.

"We are committed to getting all the leadership in participating in community events," he said.

Several community leaders said they are happy to support RIA.

"We are here to help you, to ensure that your mission here is successful," said John Thodos, mayor of East Moline, Illinois.

Barney expressed her support for RIA's outreach plan.

"This plan offers so many opportunities for the Quad Cities -- for more than just the people in this room," she said. "I think we can take it to them as well."

Daly said he is grateful for the community's support.

"I am an absolute fan of the area, this is phenomenal," he said. "I have never been to a location with so much support from the local community."

Brig. Gen. Richard Dix, commanding general, Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command and Joint Munitions Command, was invited to the dinner but was unable to attend due to travel. Rhonda Vandecasteele, deputy to the commander, Joint Munitions Command, represented Dix at the event.

Other attendees included:

Retired Adm. Sam Kupresin, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army.

Michael Hutchison, deputy to the commander, U.S. Army Sustainment Command.

Col. Don Wols, commander, Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center.

Frank Klipsch, mayor of Davenport, Iowa.

Bob Gallagher, mayor of Bettendorf, Iowa.

Dennis Pauley, mayor of Rock Island, Illinois.

Scott Raes, mayor, Moline, Illinois.

Ken "Moose" Maranda, chairman, Rock Island County Board.

Tom Sunderbruch, chairman, Scott County Board of Supervisors.

Related Links:

Army Sustainment Command homepage

Army Sustainment Command Facebook page

Army Sustainment Command Flickr page

Rock Island Arsenal Homepage

Army Sustainment Command YouTube page