REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- AMCOM commander Maj. Gen. Jim Richardson officially introduced Dr. Myra Gray to the AMCOM community on June 11, welcoming her as the new executive director of the U.S. Army Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Activity. USATA-TMDE is a subordinate organization within AMCOM that supports Soldiers worldwide by managing the Army's calibration and maintenance mission for the Army and other service customers.
Gray's husband, Marshall, an Air Force veteran and a retired civil servant, was also introduced by Richardson. The couple has been married 34 years, and have a daughter and two grandchildren.
"We are not only getting a new director, but also a new family is joining the AMCOM team," Richardson said.
A member of the senior executive service since 2007, Gray took on her new role with AMCOM on June 1.
"I'm so grateful for what you do for this nation," Gray said, addressing the AMCOM and USATA employees at the Welcome Ceremony in Bob Jones Auditorium.
"Our national security is on your shoulders, and you are successful for providing that. This nation exists today because of you. I want to enable you, advocate for you. My job is to make your job easier."
Gray has 30 years of government career experience in science and technology, in managing large and diverse organizations, and in understanding the Army Materiel Command Enterprise. In her most recent assignments, she served as the director of the Army's Biometrics Identity Management Agency from 2007 to 2010, and most recently as the assistant deputy chief of staff for the Strategic Integration Directorate (G-5) at the Army Materiel Command.
"You were selected from a field from highly accomplished candidates … We 'stole' you from AMC. There is no one better to lead this organization," Richardson told Gray.
"Myra clearly has the education and the aptitude for the mission. What separates her from her peers is her leadership. She is a leader and a professional. She will lift this organization to new heights through her exemplary example. She embodies what we look for in our leaders."
The future for USATA includes establishing mobile calibration labs, managing remote site monitoring and managing the Army Primary Standards Laboratory.
"USATA is a no fail mission for the Army, an extremely important mission for the nation. It supports all TMDE, and has a worldwide footprint with sites at 12 installations, and in eight countries and 26 states. TMDE is essential to Army readiness … Dr. Myra Gray is the right person to take on the challenge of USATA and building its footprint."
Richardson urged Gray to lead the efforts in the physical improvements that are needed at the Army Primary Standards Laboratory at Redstone Arsenal. It is now more than 60 years old, and handles more than 840,000 items of TMDE every year.
"It performs functions found nowhere else," Richardson said.
Gray is from the Huntsville area. During the early years of her career, she worked at Redstone Arsenal for the Missile Command, which was the forerunner of AMCOM.
She described USATA employees as "the most hardworking, dedicated people on earth. I'm humble to be part of this team. You are the giants in the industry. I am honored to touch a mission that has such an important national impact. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your team."
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