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August 31, 2017
Project management office celebrates 50 years By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Project Manager Expeditionary Energy and Sustainment Systems celebrated its 50th anniversary last week, making it one of the oldest project management offices in existence. Personnel there dedicated and named a conference room after Lt. Col. Joseph Rochefort, the first project manager for Mobile Electric Power. Today, PM E2S2, a Belvoir mission partner, provides power generation and distribution, and force sustainment solutions that support warfighters. The Department of Defense established MEP in 1967 to create standardization of generators, which, at that time, had around 2,000 different types of generators on the battlefield. The organization worked to create the first military standard generator sets followed by a second set of generator called the Tactical Quiet Generator. In 2014, MEP changed its name and mission to Project Manager Expeditionary Energy and Sustainment Systems. Col. Adrian Marsh, project manager of PM E2S2, said this milestone was very important and highlights the relevance of the project management office, despite geological and technological changes. “That is definitely something to be proud of,” he said. “It’s fitting that we named our conference room after Colonel Joseph Rochefort, since his team’s efforts were so impactful at that time that the program not only lived through the Vietnam conflict but remains vital today.” PM E2S2 should take pride in the past 50 years and look toward the future. Fifty years from now, there will be exponential growth similar to what they faced beginning in 1967, he said. Brig. Gen. Brian Cummings, Program Executive Officer for PEO Soldier, also said it was important to look at the past and think about all of the hard work that’s been done over the years and to compare it to where they are today. “You guys are the ones that give our folks, men and women downrange — our contractors, our men and women in uniform of all service branches — the comforts that
Photos by Paul Lara
Brig. Gen. Brian Cummings, Program Executive Officer Soldier, addresses the audience as Project Manager, Expeditionary Energy & Sustainment Systems, E2S2, celebrates its 50th Anniversary at DAU’s Howell Auditorium Aug. 24. they need to do the operations and missions (for) our country,” he said. The amount of work the office gets done is invaluable and valued by leadership who appreciates what the staff does. “Thank you for living up to the core values that you espouse as an organization — integrity, commitment, quality and innovation, because that is the foundation of excellence and that is what I think you represent today,” said Steffanie Easter, acting Army Acquisition Executive. “So, as you think about your 50 years of accomplishment, you should be proud. You should feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. But, you also have to think about what’s ahead of you. You have to think about the foundation that has been raised for you by the people in the front row and those up here on the podium.” She thanked the organization for its numerous accomplishments. “Have that same resolve that got you through the 50 years, have that same resolve as you go toward your next 50 years because there’s no doubt in my mind as I look out at each and every one of you — you are the best that the Army has to offer,” she said. “You’ve shown commitment; you’ve lived your values and there’s nothing better than that.”
Steffanie Easter, right, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) is coined during recognition of PM E2S2 celebrating its 50th anniversary at DAU Howell Auditorium Aug. 24, as Col. Adrian Marsh, Project Manager, applauds.
O’ CLUB FIRES UP
Photo by Paul Lara A Fort Belvoir MWR Luau at the Officers’ Club concludes with a dramatic fire dance by the Tepua Hio Hio Polynesian dancers Friday. See more pics pages A12-13.
Save the dates! All these events are open to everyone. Pool party Hosted by PWOC 10:30 a.m. to noon North Post Outdoor Pool Open to everyone
Join Scouting Night Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts from K-12 6–8:30 p.m. today Scout Hut, Caples Road
Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band Invincible Spirit Festival concert 5 p.m. today Pullen Track Field Bring blankets and low chairs
Suicide Prevention Month speaker CWO4 Clifford Bauman 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sept. 7, Thurman Auditorium