REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Mar. 20, 2015) -- A ceremony was held to promote U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center's newly selected senior executive Dr. Juanita Harris. Effective since Feb. 22, Harris will serve as the director for AMRDEC's Weapons Development and Integration Directorate.
James Lackey, AMRDEC Director spoke about the government's Senior Executive Core Qualifications evaluation process. He translated the ESQ's of leading change, leading people, business acumen, building coalitions and being result driven to how Harris takes the leadership role of Weapons Development and Integration.
"You have to have the right person in place with the right skill set. Someone has to have the right business acumen and someone who has to have results driven sense and what it means to deliver a product at the right time and at the right cost. Recognizing that, I clearly see Juanita ready to take on that challenge," said James Lackey, AMRDEC Director. "The background that Juanita has with the technical foundation in which she has established her career has lead to progressive roles and responsibilities from integrated teaming to project manager and program managements. Her experiences in the Army and the industry and the skill set she brought to us is going to poise her for ultimate success and I am fully confident she is going to make that happen."
A native of East Saint Louis, Illinois, Harris attributes her successes in life to her family and various senior leaders and mentors throughout her career.
"To the full WDI workforce I am honored and humbled to be selected to serve you as your director. That's my job. I don't take that job lightly and I also don't come into this job thinking I know everything because I don't," Harris said. "I know what my weaknesses are but I know your strengths will help me and the organization and I know my strengths will help lead and guide you. To each of you I stand before you again, humbled and honored ready to serve in a position God has placed me in. I am here as your servant but also to provide you the leadership and guidance that you deserve."
Harris earned a bachelor of science in computer engineering from University of Illinois, a master of science in computer resources and information systems management from Webster University and a doctorate of management in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix. She has worked at AMRDEC since 2012. Harris is the first African American SES member at AMRDEC.
----
AMRDEC is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
Social Sharing