ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition, in collaboration with the Joint Munitions Command and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, were honored with the 2025 Gen. William G. T. Tuttle Jr. Award for outstanding business acumen in defense and government.
The Assured Munitions Team was formally recognized at the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) 39th Annual Logistics Forum on Feb. 11, in Orlando, Florida.
The Institute for Defense and Business selected the Assured Munitions Team for its innovative approach to mitigating supply chain risks within the Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition portfolio. The team, composed of experts from multiple organizations, developed a comprehensive strategy to map the munitions supply chain, identify vulnerabilities, and implement mitigation efforts to ensure the availability of critical materials.
By leveraging advanced machine learning tools, they analyzed data from over 300 end items and thousands of materials, streamlining supply chain monitoring and improving response times for material and supplier inquiries.
To safeguard domestic production capabilities, the team secured $220 million in Defense Production Act Title III funding to reestablish supply sources for key energetic materials. In addition, $1.4 billion in JPEO A&A funding was allocated to enhance the Organic Industrial Base’s capacity for producing explosives and propellants. Through partnerships with the Defense Logistics Agency, the team secured national stockpiles of critical explosive materials and utilized Small Business Innovative Research funding to address emerging supply chain gaps.
Army leadership and congressional stakeholders have commended the Assured Munitions Team for proactively addressing supply chain challenges and ensuring long-term sustainment of the U.S. munitions industrial base. Their data-driven approach has been recognized as a model for supply chain resilience across the Department of Defense.
Dr. Theresa A. Smith, Deputy Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition, praised the team’s efforts, stating: “The unwavering dedication of the Assured Munitions team to fortify our nation's supply chain has yielded a monumental triumph, bolstering the very foundations of our national defense. Through unrelenting effort and strategic foresight, we have significantly reduced the risks to our conventional ammunition portfolio, ensuring the readiness and resilience of our military forces. This achievement serves as a testament to the power of collaborative innovation and the enduring impact of targeted investment in our industrial base. As we continue to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic global landscape, the Assured Munitions team's remarkable work stands as a shining example of the critical role that strategic supply chain management plays in safeguarding our nation's security and prosperity."
The Tuttle Award, named after Gen. William G. T. Tuttle Jr., honors individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional business acumen in defense and government operations. The Assured Munitions Team’s work has set a new standard for supply chain resilience, ensuring the continued availability of critical munitions to support the Army’s readiness and modernization efforts.
JPEO A&A and the DEVCOM Armaments Center are headquartered at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. Together, they play a critical role in developing, procuring and fielding cutting-edge armaments and ammunition, ensuring the readiness and modernization of the U.S. Army and its international partners.
Award recipients:
Mr. Eugene C. Conner, Director of Integration (JPEO AA)
Mr. Elias Vainchenker, Program Management Engineer (JPEO AA)
Mr. Eric D. Hoover, Industrial Base Supervisor (Joint Munitions Command (JMC))
Ms. Christine Yaddof, Industrial Specialist, (JMC)
Mr. Darin Strazewski, Industrial Specialist, (JMC)
Mr. Henry Vandyke, Product Assurance Engineer (U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM Armaments Center))
Ms. Nicole Campesi, Industrial Base Program Management Officer (DEVCOM Armaments Center)
Mr. Daniel P. Flynn, Program Management Engineer (JPEO AA)
Mr. Joshua N. Thomas, Systems Engineering Lead (DEVCOM Armaments Center)
Ms. Jessy M. Chacko, Project Management Engineer (DEVCOM Armaments Center)
Mr. Dennis M. Sheehan, Quality Engineering Senior Technical Lead (DEVCOM Armaments Center)
Mr. Brian P. Hubbard, Environmental Engineer (DEVCOM Armaments Center)
Ms. Xue Ling Cheng, Project Management Officer (JPEO AA)
Mr. Mark J. Mezger, former Senior Technology Advisor (Retired)
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