FORT MONMOUTH, N.J. - Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Via, former commanding general of the CECOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) here has been selected to receive the 2009 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award.
The Roy Wilkins Renown Service award is presented annually to members of the U.S. armed forces for outstanding accomplishments in human relations, equal opportunity and civil rights. Via was cited for distinguishing himself through innovative leadership practices that facilitated diversity within his command and in minority advancement and attainment of several key promotion goals.
While he was commanding general here, Via spearheaded efforts to create professional opportunities for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, or disability.
For example, during ViaAca,!a,,cs tenure as commanding general, there was an overall increase in female and minority representation in the workforce. African American and Asian employees experienced the most notable increase, particularly in fields commonly underrepresented by these groups, including information technology management, computer engineering, computer science, and logistics management.
At ViaAca,!a,,cs invitation senior representatives from nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority College Institutions visited the command headquarters at Fort Monmouth. The purpose of this visit was to receive an overview of Army Team Command, Control Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities with a focus on potential future employment opportunities.
The award will be presented on July 14 at the annual 2009 Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Military Awards Dinner in New York City.
Via served as commanding general of the CECOM LCMC, beginning in July 2007. He received the announcement of his selection one day before he relinquished command June 23.
Via has been nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for promotion to lieutenant general to become the director of Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) Systems, J-6, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
Social Sharing