ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Jan. 28, 2021) – Army scientists and engineers assigned to the Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) received top honors today during a virtual ceremony for the Major General Harold J. Greene Awards for Innovation hosted by the Army Futures Command.
The winner of the Major General Greene Individual Innovation Award is Mr. Michael C. Golt of the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory for his innovative techniques to measure ballistic performance to discover superior armor using automation and artificial intelligence.
The winners of the Major General Greene Team Innovation Award are: Ms. Lauren Oleksyk (Team Leader), Ms. Michelle Richardson, Dr. Tom Yang, Ms. Lauren O'Connor, Ms. Sydney Walker, Ms. Julie Smith, Ms. Jacqueline LeBlanc, Mr. Patrick Marek, Dr. Genevieve Flock, Ms. Elizabeth Painter, Mr. Adam DiChiara, and Ms. Wendy Johnson of the DEVCOM Soldier Center for their development of shelf stable pizza for the Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) Ration.
“This year, AFC will begin the tradition of celebrating innovators, creative thinkers and problem solvers with this award,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas Todd, AFC deputy commanding general for Acquisition and Systems Management and host of the virtual ceremony. “We are proud to carry on Harry Greene’s legacy.”
The awards are named in honor of Maj. Gen. Harry Greene who was killed in Afghanistan in 2014 while serving as the deputy commanding general of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan. During his career, he had served in numerous roles related to the research, development, acquisition, and life cycle management of Army materiel including the Deputy Commanding General of DEVCOM, then known as the Research, Development and Engineering Command, from 2009-2011.
Todd said the awardees and all those who were nominated from across the Army are “keeping innovation at the forefront of what we do,” adding that “invention and discovery are something our Army Soldiers and our nation count on.”
Maj. Gen. John George, DEVCOM commanding general, spoke on behalf of the award recipients.
“Every technological achievement and new capability we put in the hands of Soldiers would not be possible without the commitment and talent of individuals like our awardees being honored today,” George said.
“I hope these awards serve as just one way we can recognize your hard work, honor your commitment, and inspire you and others to continue our shared pursuit of Army innovation,” George said. “Congratulations! Take pride in this accomplishment. You certainly made me and DEVCOM proud.”
DEVCOM Deputy to the Commanding General John Willison also spoke during the virtual ceremony and shared a few words about Greene’s time at DEVCOM.
“Our command was fortunate enough to have Maj. Gen. Greene as our Deputy Commanding General,” Willison said. “As an engineer, he spent his life advancing Army capabilities and it was the perfect job for him. Everyone around him benefited from that.”
“I was personally blessed to have the opportunity to work with Maj. Gen. Greene and experience first-hand his leadership, his mentorship and his friendship,” Willison said. “That experience has had a lasting impact on my career, so it’s absolutely fitting that these awards are named in his honor.”
Joining the awardees and AFC teammates in attendance at the virtual ceremony were distinguished guests from Greene’s family, including his spouse Sue Myers, son Capt. Matthew Greene, father Steve Greene, and brother Jonathan Greene.
“Harry was mostly about making things better and solving tough problems,” Myers said. “He often talked about how you [DEVCOM employees] inspired him, and how fortunate he felt to be your colleague in improving systems necessary to fight and win wars.”
“Thank you for helping carry Harry’s legacy forward. He considered you all to be family and he loved his assignment at DEVCOM,” Myers said. “We know he would be proud of all the progress you have made to help modernize the Army.”
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The MG Harold J. Greene Awards for Innovation recognize new and innovative technologies from across the Army that greatly enhance the overall readiness while positively impacting Soldier performance. 2020 is the first year the awards were hosted by Army Futures Command.
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