The Army welcomed a new leader in Army aviation acquisition during a change of charter ceremony May 16.
Col. Rob Barrie assumed responsibility as the Project Manager for Cargo Helicopters from Col. Bob Marion, the outgoing PM. Maj. Gen. William "Tim" Crosby, Program Executive Officer for Aviation hosted and presided over the event.
Crosby praised Marion for PM Cargo's achievements during his tenure. Most significant of those achievements was the recent successful negotiations of the CH-47F Chinook Multiyear II contract that is saving American taxpayers $810 million, a 19.2 percent savings over single year contracts.
"I know Bob will deflect all the credit, as any good leader does, but someone has to steer the boat," said Crosby.
The MY II is a momentous milestone in Army acquisition, and the Army benefited greatly from Boeing's willingness to increase competition with their subcontractors.
"No one ever believed that we could achieve that kind of cost savings with the second multiyear," said Crosby. "That is not chump change. And all of you contributed to that, but it was under Bob's leadership."
"It takes leadership to pull everyone together to achieve a common vision," continued Crosby. "Our Soldiers and our Army are the big benefactors of this. We're so proud of you, Bob, and seeing your evolution as a leader over the years."
Marion thanked Crosby for his support and guidance both as the PEO as a former PM for Cargo Helicopters. Marion noted that in his early years in the military, someone once told him that if he did two things, he will always succeed and no one will ever question his decision. "Those were, do the right thing, and take care of Soldiers," said Marion. "Gen. Crosby lives those two things every day, and I've learned so much from his leadership."
Marion talked about the enormous challenges that PMs sometimes have to overcome in order to execute a program successfully. "I've never forgotten when Gen. Crosby said, 'Sometimes we succeed because we execute the processes and we understand them. And sometimes we succeed in spite of the process'. No one drove home that point more than Gen. Crosby, that the process was not the end, it is the means."
When the process works, use it. When it doesn't, find out who to talk to get a waiver from the process, and do the right thing for the Army. "Sir, that is one of the resounding things I have learned and taken with me over the years working with and for you, and I thank you for those valuable lessons."
Marion expressed his appreciation to all those who have influenced his life and the choices that he has made, that helped him better serve the Soldiers and the Army. He thanked his family most of all saying, "Anyone knows that you can achieve anything when you have this kind of formation at home. My wife, my kids, my parents and my in-laws have all been part of that, and I couldn't have done this without you."
Barrie, having recently returned to the Huntsville community from the Pentagon, expressed his enthusiasm several times and about how happy he is for "being back home."
"I have noticed everyday there was something missing in my life, and that is you guys," Barrie said to his family, who remained in the Huntsville area during his tour as the Executive Officer to the Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army -- Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology at the Pentagon.
He thanked all the friends, mentors and colleagues who have helped to guide him over the years adding, "I feel like I'm back home with my team, and I want to thank you ahead of time for your support and continued guidance. I know I will need it."
"One thing that is really great about the Army, is that no matter where you go, you always take your team with you," he added.
During the ceremony, Marion received the Legion of Merit award and the Order of Saint Michael, Silver award from the Army Aviation Association of America. He will move on to assume a new leadership role in the Pentagon. His wife Lisa, who works as an engineer in the Fixed Wing Project Office, and Marion's three children, will remain in the Huntsville community during his tour.
Barrie has served in various leadership roles as the assault helicopter platoon leader and battalion staff officer with the 7-227th Aviation Regiment in the First Armored Division, commander for B/227th Aviation Regiment in the First Armored Division, assistant product manager for the UH-60M Black Hawk in PEO Aviation, and as product manager for the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile in PEO Missiles and Space.
The Cargo Helicopters Project Offices executes the life cycle management of the Army's CH-47 Chinook, the world's most advanced heavy lift rotary wing aircraft.
Social Sharing