WASHINGTON (26 February, 2026) – The achievements of the Army Acquisition Workforce will be recognized at the 2025 Army Acquisition Executive’s Excellence in Leadership Awards Ceremony on Mar. 4, 2026 at the Pentagon.
The yearly award ceremony shines a spotlight on the people and teams whose hard work, creativity, and guidance are delivering the next generation of capabilities to our Army. In a world that is always changing, their contributions are what keep us ahead. The Honorable Brent G. Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, will lead the celebration of this year's winners and their achievements.
“Our acquisition professionals deliver results that matter to Soldiers every day,” said Ingraham. “The individuals and teams recognized this year demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgment and a clear commitment to the mission. Their work continues to strengthen and accelerate Army acquisition and support readiness across the force.”
The AAE Excellence in Leadership Awards are presented across several categories, highlighting a wide range of contributions. This year’s recipients were selected for their leadership, teamwork and ability to improve outcomes through their daily work. Recognizing these achievements reinforces the importance of the acquisition workforce to Army readiness. The commitment and experience of these professionals continue to shape how the Army equips its force today and prepares for the future.
During the ceremony, the winners of the Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene Awards for Acquisition Writing will also be honored. This annual competition encourages critical thinking and writing on the challenges and successes of Army acquisition. Now in its 12th year, the competition provides a platform for members of the defense acquisition workforce and others to share their insights and experiences in overcoming acquisition challenges. Submissions in the form of articles, essays, or opinion pieces are accepted in four distinct categories: acquisition reform, future operations, innovation, and lessons learned. The competition is named in honor of Greene, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2014, and serves as a tribute to his distinguished service and contributions to Army acquisition.
For more information about the AAE Excellence in Leadership Awards and this year’s winners, visit https://asc.army.mil/web/acquisition-awards/.
The ceremony will be streamed live on Wednesday, March 4, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/37375.
2025 AAE Award Winners:
Acquisition Career Support Professional of the Year - Maj. Jon Wineinger; Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications & Network
Business Operations Professional of the Year Award - Jennifer Scafone; Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Defense
Defense Export and Cooperation Journeyman of the Year Award - Mark Poplin; Program Executive Office, Simulation, Training & Instrumentation
Defense Export and Cooperation Professional of the Year Award - Brian Etu; Program Executive Office, Missiles & Space
Logistician of the Year Award - LaVern White; Program Executive Office, Missiles & Space
Engineering and Technical Management Professional of the Year Award - Marc Busala; Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors
Digital Transformation Professional of the Year Award - Thomas Aitken; Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications & Network
Test and Evaluation Professional of the Year Award - William Black; Program Executive Office, Missiles & Space
Product Management/Product Director Office Professional of the Year Award (O5 Level) - Lt. Col. Hassan Kamara; Program Executive Office, Missiles & Space
Project Management/Project Director Office Professional of the Year Award (O6 Level) - Col. Christopher Hill; Program Executive Office, Missiles & Space
Contracting Professional of the Year Award - Chris Kay; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District Michelle LaBouyer; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District
Barbara C. Heald Deployed Contracting Civilian Award - Edward Boddie; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
Outstanding Grants or Agreements Professional of the Year Award - Karlsun Allen; Army Contracting Command, New Jersey
Construction Services Contracting Professional of the Year Award - Walter Love III; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Innovation in Contracting Strategies Individual or Organization Award - Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground
Product Management/Product Director Office Team of the Year Award (O5 Level) - Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Product Office; Program Executive Office, Missiles & Space
Project Management/Project Director Office Team of the Year Award (O6 Level) - Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles (STORM) Project Management Team; Program Executive Office, Missiles & Space
Test Organization of the Year Award - Zombie Targets; U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command
Contracting Team of the Year Award - Hurricane Helene Contracting Response Team; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
Science and Technology Professional of the Year - Joseph Patterson; U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center
Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory (STRL) of the Year - U.S. Army Research Laboratory; U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
Science and Technology Team Technology Transition Achievement - Life Cycle Pilot Process Team; Joint Program Executive Office, Armaments & Ammunition
2025 Major General Harold J. “Harry” Greene Writing Award Winners:
Acquisition Reform
Winning Piece: “Rewriting the Playbook: Building Allied Readiness Through Cooperative Purchasing in the Indo-Pacific Region” Author: Tony E. Reed, 411th Contracting Support Brigade - Camp Humphreys, Korea
Honorable Mention: “Acquisition Reform – Renovating the Requirements Process” Author: Dale A. Ormond, Ormond Consulting LLC
Future Operations
Winning Piece: “Transforming the Army Acquisition Corps Approach to Leader Development” Authors: Anthony J. Cortese, MAJ Nathaniel J. LaSorba, MAJ James A. Salerno, CPT Robert J. Kitch, and SFC Andrew S. Procter, Capability Program Executive Ground (formerly Program Executive Office Soldier)
Honorable Mention: “AI in Contracting” Author: Matthew R. Jewell, Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal
Innovation
Winning Piece: “Lean-Agile Configuration and Change Management: Maintaining Structure and Process While Embracing Agile and Being Responsive to Change at the Speed of Relevance” Author: Kelly A. Rutherford, Program Executive Office Enterprise
Honorable Mention: “What’s the big I.D.E.A? The G-TEAD process for innovation” Authors: Lt. Col. Edwin L. Kolen, Maj. Lee Whitfield, Maj. Robert E. Davis, Traci B. Williams, Maj. Joshua K. McMillion, Meghan M. Murphy Ruddick, and Maj. Joseph Cody Lucas, Capability Program Executive Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense
Lessons Learned
Winning Piece: “Rewriting the Future: How the Shift to Agile is Shaping Army Contracting” Author: Lt. Col. Camille N. Morgan, Program Executive Office Enterprise
Honorable Mention: “Data-Driven Sustainment: Leveraging Big Data and Predictive Analytics for Army Supply Chain Resilience” Author: Ashley V. Collins, U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command
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