ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - For the second time in his career, Brian M. Simmons, executive technical director for the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, received a Presidential Rank Award, this time of Distinguished Executive Rank. Simmons received the Meritorious Executive award in 2007.
Undersecretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal presented the award to Simmons in a ceremony at the Pentagon June 28. Eleven other senior level civilians also received presidential rank awards.
Simmons led the redesign of ATEC, which began with his Army leadership role within Base Realignment and Closure 2005 that moved ATEC to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The move internally consolidated three headquarters into one, reducing 131 overhire personnel and saving more than $11 million annually beginning fiscal year 2011. He led the business and technical re-engineering efforts within ATEC to take on enterprise processes to streamline the amount and quality of all Army testing; integrating command expertise, instrumentation, resources, contracts, and even test site locations to minimize test cost and duration while increasing technical quality of test results and system evaluations. During this time, Simmons was dual hatted in two key SES positions as the ATEC executive technical director and the Army Evaluation Center director.
Presidential Rank Awards, which are granted by the United States Government, recognize Senior Executive Service and Senior Career Employees who characterize strong leadership, achieve results, and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry, and a commitment to excellence in public service. The Distinguished Executive award is the highest annual award for career SES members.
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