Surrounded by his family and friends, the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command's (LCMC) new chief counsel, Matthew Pausch, was officially inducted into the ranks of the Senior Executive Service (SES) during a ceremony held October 20 at the Detroit Arsenal.
Maj. Gen. Gwen Bingham, TACOM LCMC commanding general, conducted the oath of office and assisted in uncasing the SES flag with his mentor Ms. Kathryn Szmanski, chief counsel for Army Sustainment Command and Joint Munitions Command at Rock Island, IL. It was when his daughter, Laura, sang the National Anthem, that it became very special to him.
Pausch's selection as TACOM LCMC's new chief counsel was announced to the work force and became effective this past July 13. Immediately prior to coming to TACOM, he served as chief counsel at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Disposition Services since February 2005.
Pausch began his legal career in private practice and joined DLA Disposition Services as an assistant counsel in 1989, where his responsibilities included environmental and procurement law matters. He became sales counsel in 1995 and also worked as a project manager and program manager for outsourcing and privatization issues.
Pausch served in the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of General Counsel from 2000 to 2001, working for the DoD Deputy General Counsel for Installations and Environment. Between 2001 and 2003, he was associate general counsel for logistics, DLA Office of General Counsel, Headquarters DLA, and deputy counsel, DLA Counsel -- Troop Support from 2003 through early 2005.
Pausch's educational background includes a B.A. from the University of Illinois College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is a 2005 graduate of the Defense Leadership and Management Program and also attended Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, from 1999-2000, receiving his Master's Degree in Strategic Studies.
"I'm inspired to be part of the team that procures and supports the Army's ground combat and tactical vehicles," Pausch said, "as well as all the other types of equipment and logistics services and testing that are just part of TACOM LCMC's mission. This command is unique in the broad spectrum of support it provides, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead."
Regarding his promotion to the SES, Pausch said, "This appointment gives me the opportunity to help ensure, in some small way, that our Army and other warfighting partners are the best equipped force in the world. I have the privilege of working with a great group of senior leaders that never stop giving their best to make TACOM's and the Army's mission a success."
As TACOM's chief counsel, Pausch hopes to further integrate the Legal Office into all of TACOM LCMC's key processes, and thereby improve the command's capabilities to meet its mission requirements responsibly. "We will continue to work closely with all parts of TACOM LCMC," he said "to ensure that our people are treated fairly and incidents that are not consistent with that standard are dealt with promptly."
Coming to the Detroit area from his prior position in west Michigan, Pausch says he is looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunities that living in the Detroit metro area brings. He also stated that he is really interested in attending more sporting events, especially the Red Wings!
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