PEO workers receive Army acquisition awards

By Sofia Bledsoe, Program Executive Office for AviationMay 11, 2015

PEO workers receive Army acquisition awards
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PEO workers receive Army acquisition awards
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Program Executive Offices for Aviation and Missiles and Space took the opportunity to recognize some of their workforce superstars during the 25th Army Acquisition and Contracting Awards April 28 in Huntsville.

PEO Missiles and Space hosted this year's awards, which has traditionally taken place in conjunction with the Association of the U.S. Army annual convention in Washington, D.C. Recognition of the local workforce has been part of the Army acquisition community's tradition with the organization.

Ten individuals were honored and received certificates and medals for their outstanding performance.

Brig. Gen. Bob Marion, program executive officer for aviation, presented the following with the Commander's Award for Civilian Service:

• Bryan Cleve from the Non-Standard Rotary Wing Aircraft Project Office, for the rapid acquisition and delivery of the "Cayuse Warrior" aircraft with Army airworthiness certifications to Afghanistan in less than nine months and whose efforts helped to provide additional fire support to Afghan national security forces.

• Bill Gravitt from the Army Contracting Command supporting the Non-Standard Rotary Wing Aircraft Project Office, for delivering capabilities to U.S. foreign allies, whose dedication to service was best exemplified when he broke away from a Source Selection Board in order to meet the suspense for the Armed MD 530-F helicopters to Afghanistan.

• Latana Erves, acting product manager and lead program analyst for the Utility Helicopters UH-60V Product Office, responsible for the Black Hawk digital conversion program. Her hard work resulted in a successful Milestone B for the project cycle.

• Rodney Davis, deputy product manager for the CH-47F in the Cargo Helicopters Project Office, whose support of the Cargo On/Off Loading System program led to its successful combat deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Eddie Baker from the Program Executive Office for Aviation headquarters staff, recognized for his leadership of the Acquisition Systems Management team effort, which helped to move critical programs forward and ensured continued viability of Army aviation programs.

Brig. Gen. Neil Thurgood, PEO for Missiles and Space, presented the following awards:

• Brandi Rickets, assistant program manager for Joint Attack Munition Systems Project Office, Hellfire Product Office, with the Superior Civilian Service Award, who served as the acting deputy product manager for Hellfire systems from November 2014 until March.

• William Nichols, deputy product director, Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile Systems, Close Combat Weapons Systems Project Office, with the Superior Civilian Service Award. Under his leadership, the LMAMS team directly responded to operational needs with successful delivery of more than 4,000 Switchblade All Up Rounds, 50 Fire Control Units and 50 Training Simulators to Operation Enduring Freedom.

• John Klingel, director, systems engineering, Close Combat Weapons Systems Project Office, with the Superior Civilian Service Award. Kingel was recognized for his continued support to modernize the Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided, or TOW, weapon system and Javelin systems across joint services.

• Lt. Col. Camilla White with the Army Commendation Medal, third oak leaf cluster for her distinguished performance from Oct. 22, 2014, through Feb. 13 while serving as the Joint Acquisition and Sustainment Review planning and execution lead.

• Maj. Adam Miller, with the Army Achievement Medal, first oak leaf cluster, for his distinguished performance from Nov. 4, 2014, through Jan. 23 while serving as the Planning Support Team lead during the Redstone Arsenal Joint Acquisition and Sustainment Review.

Heidi Shyu, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, congratulated all the award recipients and presented 24 Army Acquisition Corps individual and team awards at the event.

"We are gathered together to congratulate and celebrate our talented professional workforce, recognizing those whose contributions to the Army enterprise have gone above and beyond the call of duty," Shyu said. "Since 1989, the corps has provided an elite cadre of highly-skilled, technically-proficient professionals delivering world-class products to our Soldiers. The support of our acquisition professionals to the Soldier is truly first rate."

Shyu also recognized the 2014 Defense Acquisition Workforce Individual Achievement and Workforce Development Award recipients that included the Army Contracting Command, Maryellen Lukac from Combat Ammunition Systems Project Office, and Daniel Dittenber from Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office.

Today, more than 38,000 Army acquisition members are keeping Soldiers well-equipped, well-protected and fully prepared for mission success in 150 countries around the globe.

"The Army Acquisition Corps is the surest means of providing preeminent capabilities to our Soldiers," Shyu said. "The talents of our professional workforce ensure the success of our men and women in uniform the world over."