2019 US Black Engineer & Information Technology | VETERANS - VOL. 43, NO. 4 by Career Communications Group

VETERANS ISSUE COMPLIMENTS OF

TRUST. LEADERSHIP. TEAMWORK. The Makings of a Marine! Gen. David H. Berger (right)

38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps

Maj. Gen. Michael E. Langley (left)

Director, J-5, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Marine Corps

USBE&IT Winter 2019 www.blackengineer.com

Top 10 Inventions to Come Out of the Military

EXCLUSIVE LISTS:

Top Black Military Generals Top Blacks in the Federal Senior Executive Service Top Blacks in the Defense Industry

THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF AN ENTIRE NATION

CONTENTS

FEATURES

US BLACK ENGINEER & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

BRINGING TECHNOLOGY HOME TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY

COVER STORY 10

The 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, emphasizes the importance of teamwork and trust to make sure the Marine Corps remains the nation’s ‘Force in Readiness’

2019 STARS & STRIPES KEYNOTE:

TOP 10 BLACKS IN DEFENSE

THE HISTORY OF BLACKS IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS

TOP BLACKS IN THE MILITARY:

TOP BLACK SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE (SES):

TOP 10 INNOVATIONS TO COME OUT OF THE MILITARY

Admiral Karl Schultz

Exclusive list of the U.S. military’s top African-American flag officers Exclusive list of the U.S. government’s top African-American SES members

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

www.blackengineer.com

PUBLISHER'S PAGE VOLUME 43 NUMBER 4

DEPARTMENTS People and Events.............. 6 The latest news on retirements, promotions, save the dates, and other current events in military and defense.

First Steps ......................... 14

Take a closer look into the vision for the composition, impact, and role for HBCUs of the proposed United States Space Force.

Career Voices .................... 18

Why the Senior Executive Service has the corner office jobs you want.

Leading Voices...................78

• Brigadier General Ondra Berry Diversity in the Military • Rear Admiral Sinclair Harris Building a Pipeline of Talent • General (Ret.) Kip Ward - Leadership

LEADING IN DEFENSE OF THE NATION The end-of-year issue of US Black Engineer & Information Technology (USBE) magazine focuses on jobs and careers with the largest employer in the world, the United States Department of Defense. It’s a longstanding tradition that the men and women featured in these pages are people who have devoted their lives to America’s national security. They include civilian leaders in the defense department, and the highest-ranking officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard. In one of our very first USBE editions on the military, Gen. Vincent Brooks, who recently retired as a four-star general, had just received his first star. He was promoted to brigadier general on May 1, 2004. Brooks, who was the United States Central Command deputy director of operations during the war in Iraq, retired from the U.S. Army in 2018 after more than 38 years of honorable service. That’s just one of the many stories showcased in our annual feature on African-American military leaders. Each year we strive to highlight the commitment, bravery, and dedication to a nation that has depended on them in good times and bad. We also look at civilian managers in the federal Senior Executive Service (SES), many of whom retired as colonels in the armed forces. They hold some of the most demanding and desirable jobs in the federal government. Organizations like the African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA) and Blacks in Government would like to see the number of minorities, about 12 percent of the SES, increase. This May, the United States Military Academy at West Point graduated 34 Black female cadets, the largest number in history. By all indications, the number of African-American graduates is steadily increasing.

Tyrone D. Taborn Publisher and Chief Content Officer

NOW THE MOST READ BLACK TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE REACHING OVER 100,000 READERS IN THE UNITED STATES, UK, AND SOUTH AFRICA

www.blackengineer.com

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

SAVE THE DATE FEBRUARY 11-13, 2021 Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel • Washington, DC

www.beya.org

The

For more information, call us at 410-244-7101 Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/BEYASTEM Follow us on Twitter: @BlackEngineer

EXECUTIVE OFFICE Tyrone D. Taborn, CEO and Chief Content Officer Jean Hamilton, President and CFO Alex Venetta, Associate Publisher, Manager of Partner Services Eric Price, Vice President, Recruitment and Professional Training EDITORIAL AND CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Rayondon Kennedy, Managing Editor Lango Deen, Technology Editor Michael Fletcher, Contributing Editor Gale Horton Gay, Contributing Editor Garland L. Thompson, Contributing Editor Roger Witherspoon, Contributing Editor GRAPHIC DESIGN Beverly Wladkowski, Art Director Bryan Davis, Digital Director Rachael DeVore, Digital Channel Manager Joe Weaver, Global Design Interactive CORPORATE AND ALUMNI RELATIONS Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, CCG Alumni Committee Chair and President Dr. Eugene DeLoatch, Chairman, BEYA Alumni Group Vice Admiral Walter J. Davis, USN (Ret.) National Chair, BEYA Military Alumni Oliver “Bo” Leslie, Retired Program Manager, Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions, Boeing Monica E. Emerson, Women of Color STEM Conference National Chair Matt Bowman, CCG Military Program Manager, Stars & Stripes Committee; Executive Director/Chief of Staff for VADM Walt Davis, USN (Ret.) Ty Taborn, Esq., Corporate Development SALES AND MARKETING Gwendolyn Bethea, Vice President, Corporate Development Kameron Nelson, Account Executive Jay Albritton, Social Media Specialist JOBMATCH AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Ashley Turner, Recruitment Team Manager Courtney Taborn, Talent Management Specialist Rod Carter, Recruitment Specialist, College Relations Shelia Richburg, College Coordinator CONFERENCE AND EVENTS Ana Bertrand, Conference Coordinator Jennifer Roberts, Customer Success Manager Brandon Newby, Administrative Assistant Toni Robinson, 360 MMG Rutherford & Associates 17304 Preston Rd Suite 1020 Dallas, TX 75252 ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE

Career Communications Group, Inc. 729 E. Pratt Street, Suite 504, Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: (410) 244-7101 / Fax: (410) 752-1837

US Black Engineer & Information Technology (ISSN 1088-3444) is a publication devoted to engineering, science, and technology and to promoting opportunities in those fields. US Black Engineer & Information Technology cannot be responsible for unsolicited art or editorial material. This publication is bulk-mailed to colleges and universities nationwide. Subscriptions are $26/year. Please write to US Black Engineer & Information Technology, Subscriptions, 729 E. Pratt St., Suite 504, Baltimore, MD 21202. Copyright © 2019 by Career Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/BEYASTEM

AD Sharp skills. Extensive training. And no limit to what comes

NEXT.

At Walmart, every day is Veterans Day. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud of the more than 243,000 veterans who have joined Walmart since 2013, and, since November 2018, the more than 14,000 military spouses that have also joined our mission of helping people save money and live better. Together we join in celebrating all of the BEYA award winners this year. We invite all veterans and military spouses to explore their next opportunity at WalmartCareersWithAMission.com

PEOPLE & EVENTS by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

RECENT PROMOTIONS AND RETIREMENTS

n Sept. 26, Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Scott Dingle was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a lieutenant general. Dingleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assignment as acting Army surgeon general on July 22 was also made permanent. Dingle has previously served as the commanding general of Regional Health Command â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Atlantic. A distinguished military graduate of Morgan State University, Dingle has served more than 30 years in the U.S. Army. He is the 16th general officer to graduate from Morgan State and is recognized as the first Medical Service Corps officer to reach the rank of brigadier general. Nucor Corporation, a diversified steel and steel products company, announced Sept. 9 that its board of directors had elected retired Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West as a director. West retired earlier in 2019 after 37 years with the United States Army. In one of her last assignments, West served as Army surgeon general and commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Command. Prior to that, West was the chief medical advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During the 2019 spring commencement season, Gen. Vincent K. Brooks addressed graduates at New England Law in May. The recently retired 6

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Clockwise from top left: Lt. Gen. Nadja West (Ret.)., Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham (Ret.), Maj. Gen. James Simpson (Ret.), Brig. Gen. Deborah Y. Howell (Ret.), Lt. Gen. Raymond Scott Dingle, and Gen. Vincent K. Brooks at New England Law

www.blackengineer.com

four-star Army general is one of 237 people to achieve this rank in the United States military and one of only eight African Americans in the history of the Army to do so. During the ceremony, Martin C. Foster, chairman of the New England Law Board of Trustees, presented Brooks with an honorary doctor of humanities degree to recognize his accomplishments. A special retirement ceremony was held on June 28 in honor of Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham. The time-honored event was hosted by Gen. James McConville, vice chief of staff of the Army. Bingham was the first woman to be the commandant of the Army Quartermaster School. She was also the first commanding general of the White Sands Missile Range and the first woman to be the commanding general of the Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command. At the U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC), Maj. Gen. James Simpson marked his retirement in May. During the ceremony, Simpson was recognized for his 33 years of service. He thanked his family for their love and support and said he has been proud to wear the Army uniform and serve in the greatest Army in the world. Simpson and his wife Zelda received several certificates and awards for what they’ve done for the Army, soldiers, and their families. The Virgin Islands National Guard conducted a retirement ceremony for its former territorial adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Deborah Y. Howell, on March 29 at the Estate Bethlehem Military Installation on St. Croix. Howell graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School on St. Thomas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in business management from the University of the Virgin Islands and a Master of Science degree in general administration from Central Michigan University. www.blackengineer.com

Attendees at the 15th Annual AAFEA Leadership Development Workshop.

Events

This fall, the African American Federal Executive Association held its 15th Annual AAFEA Leadership Development Workshop. The speaker lineup at the event, which ran from Sept. 16-18, included retired Army generals Colin Powell; Dennis Via, who currently serves as an executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton; Clarence Crawford, retired member of the Senior Executive Service (SES); Johnathan Holifield, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and Jane L. Mines, retired SES and author of No Coincidences: Reflections of the First Black Female Graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Northrop Grumman Corporation and Booz Allen Hamilton received AAFEA’s Community Partner Award, which is presented each year to associations, public/private sector organizations, or academic organizations that have partnered with AAFEA to support AAFEA’s objective to promote the development and advancement of African Americans into and within the senior and executive ranks of the United States government. AAFEA’s 2019 theme is “Leadership 2020: Providing a blueprint for career leadership success!” The ROCKS announced a successful 45th Anniversary Spring Gala in its official publication, The Rocket. ROCKS, Inc. is a nonprofit organization comprised of ROTC and military academy cadets, active duty, reserve

component, commissioned officers, active duty or reserve component warrant officers, and Department of Defense GS-12 and above civilians. The organization hopes to provide up to 500 Cadet Command cosponsored Army ROTC scholarships within the next three years. In 2018, the ROCKS were credited with 84 ROTC scholarships awarded. This year, the ROCKS forecasted a total of over 100 ROTC scholarships. The ROCKS also entered discussions with a potential industry partner to implement science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs to serve various communities. S

SAVE THEDATE BEYA STEM GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS CONFERENCE February 13-15, 2020

Washington Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, D.C.

BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT, 42ND ANNUAL NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE August 24-27, 2020 Tampa, FL

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Noblis is proud to support the BEYA STEM conference and the Stars & Stripes dinner

We congratulate all the innovative leaders being honored.

Join Our Team and Do Work That Matters Noblis is a nonprofit science, technology, and strategy organization that brings the best of scientific thought, management, and engineering expertise with a reputation for independence and objectivity. Our employees are proud to be solving the nation’s most pressing problems. We are committed to doing what’s right, for the best of reasons—serving the public good. We are always seeking the very best talent in STEM and other science and technology disciplines. We proudly employ military veterans whose unique expertise is crucial to many of our clients' important missions.

Named to The Washington Post Top Workplace list 6 years in a row!

noblis.org/careers

Complete Solutions to Enable Agency-Driven Missions. WWT is honored to support the federal government and its efforts to enhance citizen services, improve quality of life and protect our world.

MultiCloud

Security Transformation

Analytics

Workforce Productivity

Most companies talk about delivering business and technology outcomes. We do it. Learn more at wwt.com â&#x20AC;˘ @wwt_inc

ONE ON ONE by Lango Deen ldeen@ccgmag.com

TRUST. LEADERSHIP. TEAMWORK: THE MAKINGS OF A MARINE! Gen. David Hilberry Berger is the 38th commandant of the United States Marine Corps. During his 38year career, Berger has commanded the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command, 1st Marine Division, and 3d Battalion, 8th Marines.

orn and raised in Woodbine, MD, Berger is the son of two farmers. As a child, he didn’t know a lot about the Marine Corps. But his mother and father instilled in him what the Marine Corps considers its core values of honor, courage, and commitment. “Growing up, I had a family, animals, and crops that depended on everyone to do their job and be responsible for

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

the day-to-day business,” Berger said in an interview via email with USBE magazine. Berger had applied science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) so much in the real world on his parents’ farm that engineering seemed like a good fit. During his college search in high school, he chose Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, which offered a scholarship that came with universitybased officer training for the United States Armed Forces. Berger applied to the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force and qualified for two scholarships—the Navy paid for four years of college. At Tulane, Berger met a Marine gunnery sergeant who was the embodiment of everything the young student wanted to be. “He was physically fit, had great character, and maturity,” Berger said. “I thought, ‘Whatever that is, I want to be that.’” In 1981, Berger graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and was commissioned as an infantry officer via the Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC). Although he has never served as an engineer in the Marine Corps, Berger says an engineering degree has been helpful. “It taught me to think logically, how to take apart a problem and figure it out. That part of engineering has helped me in the Marine Corps,” he said. As a lieutenant and captain, Berger served as a platoon commander in India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and later as the company commander and battalion operations officer in 2d Reconnaissance Battalion during Operation Desert Storm. He also served as an officer selection officer in Roanoke, VA.

Gen. David H. Berger 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps

Berger would go on to become a field grade officer and serve as an instructor at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in Yuma, AZ. From 2002–2004, he commanded 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, deploying the battalion first to Okinawa, and later to Haiti in support of Operation Secure Tomorrow. As a colonel, Berger commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While serving as assistant division commander of the 2nd Marine Division, Berger was appointed to the rank of

www.blackengineer.com

brigadier general. He then deployed to Kosovo, where he served for one year as chief of staff in Pristina. In 2012, he deployed to Afghanistan as the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division (Forward) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Berger served as commanding general of Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center from 2013–2014. In July 2014, Berger was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and assumed command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. He

www.blackengineer.com

Although he has never served as an engineer in the Marine Corps, Berger says an engineering degree has been helpful. “It taught me to think logically, how to take apart a problem and figure it out. That part of engineering has helped me in the Marine Corps,” he said. USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

DEPARTMENT subsequently assumed command of United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. On Aug. 28, 2018, Berger assumed the billets of commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration. “Combat has the highest highs and the lowest lows,” Berger said. “It is the ultimate test for a military leader. It’s unforgiving if you make mistakes. It’s also a phenomenal rush when the whole team is doing what you were trained to do, and people are on the other end trying to do you harm. I’ve learned more from failing than I have learned from succeeding. But combat is the time when you are required to be at your best. The team is counting on you to do your job to the standards of a Marine,” he said. Berger also shared these pieces of advice on leadership:

1. Read

Berger said Marines have to keep learning all the time because the world keeps changing all the time. “I read a lot because we have to keep up,” Berger said. “We have to stay in front, and the only way to do that is to keep training our mind, keep expanding our horizons.”

2. Listen First

“You have two ears and one mouth for a reason,” he said. “Take every opportunity to listen to opinion and advice from those around you before you run headlong into a bad decision.”

3. Be Prepared

“Being prepared and being ready is a 24-hour-a-day job,” Berger said. “We can’t wait until something happens to make ourselves ready; we have to keep at it constantly. We don’t know what will happen next in our lives, but being as ready as you can, as a family, as an individual, as a teammate, is what will allow us to capitalize on what life throws at us next.”

4. Training and Teamwork

“Our training has to be hard. We have to be challenged in times of calm to be prepared for times of crisis,” Berger said. But teamwork is key to winning. “We shouldn’t take any challenge alone. The only way to ensure success is to 12

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

have a team of dedicated men and women all pushing for the same goal.”

Merely recognizing that diversity exists is not enough, he added.

5. Trust

“All of our Marines, sailors, and civilians are needed for the fight; therefore, they must be included in meaningful ways to ensure an array of aptitudes effectively contribute to our current and future warfighting competence,” Berger said. S

Berger says one of the key strengths of the Marine Corps is they trust that young noncommissioned officers and lieutenants have the training, maturity, and authority to act on their own without specific guidance. “We must trust them to get the job done,” Berger said, but “trust goes both ways. If your Marines trust you and you trust them, it will ensure success.” Berger said the service’s people would continue the legacy of being the nation’s “Force in Readiness.” “As commandant, I rely on commanders to provide disciplined, moral leadership to meet the challenges ahead,” he said. “These leaders are responsible for managing inclusion—for integrating each individual’s strengths and differences into a way the Marine Corps better accomplishes its mission.”

Are you thinking of becoming a Marine or know someone who is? The Marine Corps participates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) engagements throughout the year to help promote career opportunities in the Marines. You can get more information from organizations like BEYA, SHPE, SASE, and NSBE, who work at the national and local levels to create greater awareness for service opportunities.

www.blackengineer.com

FIRST STEPS by Christopher Zacher editors@ccgmag.com

THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE: THE ROLE OF HBCUs Since the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the United States government has discussed the possibility of establishing a Space Force as the sixth branch of the U.S. Military.

ately, it looks as if that possibility is growing closer and closer to reality.

As John Hicks, program area manager for the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, says, “The current president is reopening debates about whether or not this is necessary to better manage military spending activities. He’s looking to ensure that we have dominance in space, and there are a lot of reasons for that.” As a result, new opportunities are opening for colleges and universities to contribute to military space research. Schools like Johns Hopkins are supporting defense efforts through laboratory research and prototype development contracts. At a recent BEYA Seminar, Hicks convened with three other experts to discuss what this means for historically Black colleges and universities. They talked about what role colleges and universities are currently playing in space-military development and how

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

HBCUs can get in on the ground floor with new contract opportunities. One panelist, Col. Michael Harvey of the United States Air Force, explains that the global landscape has increased the need for rapid developments in space technology. “The threat environment is changing, and it’s driving changes in the way that we want to develop responsive systems,” Harvey says, “There’s an interest now in being more rapid and more innovative and bringing small businesses and university partners closer to the development cycle.” He cites the Space Enterprise Consortium (SPEC), a network of SMB companies and universities that are invited to submit contract proposals to the Air Force, as one example of how government agencies are providing opportunities for collaboration. “Right now, there are about 250 members,” he says. “It’s a way that universities and other non-traditional companies can get access to funding, partner with larger groups, and propose capabilities to fulfill our needs.” Another panelist, Patrick Hill of the Space Exploration Sector for Johns Hopkins University, explains that new opportunities are opening for faculty and students to study directly with Space Force institutions. As he says, organizations such as NASA and the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), “…regularly bring in faculty to refine their current research and expose them and their students to the latest developments in technology.” This type of exposure, he points out, gives students and faculty the information they need to produce solutions that could one day be

According to Dr. Bonneau, datagenerative projects are some of the easiest ways for universities to build solutions for the Space Force. acquired by the military. Even without direct exposure to NASA or Air Force research, however, faculty and students can still conduct useful research. “In a lot of different contexts, space is becoming more accessible,” says Dr. Robert Bonneau, associate director for data analytics and software for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. “If you’re interested in participating experimentally or scientifically, the barrier for entry has never been lower.” Citing one potential example, he says, “If you were part of a university group that launched a small satellite that does some geo-sensing, that’s a service that someone might need. If you’re taking pictures of a portion of the Earth, people want to know what’s going on there, particularly if you have some machine-learning algorithm that processes that the space asset is doing.” According to Dr. Bonneau, datagenerative projects are some of the easiest ways for universities to build solutions for the Space Force. “All you need is a cloud account and access to original data to process,” he says, “It’s one low-impact way to get involved with space activity without a large www.blackengineer.com

Left to right: Col. Michael Harvey of the United States Air Force, Patrick Hill of the Space Exploration Sector for Johns Hopkins University, John Hicks, program area manager for the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Robert Bonneau, associate director for data analytics and software for the Office of the Secretary of Defense

financial investment.” For projects that require a larger investment, there are plenty of opportunities. From programs like SPEC to inter-university partnerships and even private investments, there’s no shortage of money being poured into space research right now. However, all three panelists agree that to secure funding, HBCUs must demonstrate that they understand the technical and financial needs of military organizations. Hicks points out that, in some cases, this may require labs to reassess how they conduct research and build prototypes. “Scientists don’t always design

www.blackengineer.com

for manufacturability; we design for capability,” he says, “But the commercial industry doesn’t think that way. They say, ‘If I’m going to make a thousand of these, I want to do it at the lowest cost.’” Ultimately, he posits that the departments that can build the strongest, most durable solutions at the lowest prices are the ones who’ll be able to secure the most contracts and thrive in this new landscape. “You have to come up with good ideas on how to keep costs down,” he says. “Once you’re successful at that and you get one or two under your belt, you won’t have to go to them for work… they’ll come to you.” S

You can listen to the full Seminar Here: https://l.ead.me/bbIWg8

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

US Army Corps of Engineers WE OFFER JOIN OUR TEAM

Engineering Technicians

POSITIONS INCL UDE Construction Control Reps

Lock & Dam Operators

Civil Engineers Biologists Contract Specialists Electrical Engineers

Mechanical Engineers

Natural Resource Specialists Park Rangers Realty Specialists

the Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

LARGEST organization

gen dyn

CAREER VOICES by Christopher Zacher editors@ccgmag.com

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAREERS: LAUNCHING YOURSELF TO THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

What does it take to make it to the senior level in a government organization? What kinds of skills do you need to have, and what kinds of roadblocks might you expect to see along the way? 18

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

n a recent panel entitled “Federal Government Careers: Catapulting Yourself to Senior Executive Service,” a group of presidents and CEOs gathered to discuss these questions and more. Throughout the presentation, they shared their experiences in the business world and offered some advice to those seeking to become leaders in their respective careers. Diedre Windsor, a retired Army officer and founder of The Windsor Group, started off the presentation by explaining that the process isn’t as complicated as it initially seems. However, whether because of the

Tamara Preston, Senior vice president, Ginnie Mae and Jay Aronowitz, president and CEO of the JDA Group

complex application process or the mystique of the Senior Executive Service (SES), many qualified people never incorporate executive service into their list of career goals. “A lot of people shy away from SES because they think there’s some master plan you have to complete before you get there,” she says, “In reality, you need leadership experience and the belief that you can do it. In my short career in the federal government, I saw

www.blackengineer.com

“I didn’t have a very strong career plan for myself,” Aronowitz admits, explaining how the possibility of becoming a senior executive presented itself. “But I was told early on to surround myself with smart people, and those people showed me what I could do and what I should think about doing.” a lot of people who didn’t make it to SES simply because they didn’t apply for it.” On the panel, there were a few voices who’d never planned on becoming senior executives themselves. One of these voices, Jay Aronowitz, is the president and CEO of The JDA Group, as well as a former chief human capital officer for the U.S Army. “I didn’t have a very strong career plan for myself,” he admits, explaining how the possibility of becoming a

www.blackengineer.com

senior executive presented itself. “But I was told early on to surround myself with smart people, and those people showed me what I could do and what I should think about doing.” One recommendation was to apply for the Presidential Management Fellowship Program. This two-year leadership development program places talented college graduates into mid-level government positions, propelling strong candidates like Aronowitz into high-responsibility jobs at a young age. Although the program is highly selective, he and the other panelists encourage anyone interested in federal service to take advantage of the opportunity. “It allows you to hit the GS-13 level (on the Federal General Schedule Payscale) in your 20s or 30s,” he says. “It’s a great start in moving to the executive level of the government.” Another panelist, Senior Vice President Tawanna Preston of Ginnie Mae, never planned to work alongside the Department of Housing and Urban Development like she now does. However, a series of challenges in her early career changed the course of her trajectory.

At the encouragement of another mentor, Preston began volunteering with the community that surrounded the NRL. Quickly realizing that she had a passion for working with urban communities, she eventually left to pursue a master’s degree in city and regional planning at Cornell University. At first, she faced some pushback from supportive friends and family who thought she might be making the wrong choice. But, like any successful executive, Preston ultimately had to take charge of her career. More than anything else, she stresses that aspiring executives must possess the fearlessness to make similar decisions. “When you experience challenges, the thing you need most is courage,” she said, offering advice to younger employees who feel like they may be heading toward a dead end. “You must have the courage to know what you want and trust your ability to get to the level you want to get to.” S

Working as a physicist in the Naval Research Laboratory, she saw a lot of discrimination, particularly against one of the only other Black women in the organization. “My first mentor was not getting promoted after 20 years of serving the company,” Preston explained. “She was good at her job, but it wasn’t seen as something beneficial to the organization. That changed the way I saw my path as a physicist because I didn’t want to spend 20 years in pursuit of something that would end the same way.”

You can listen to the full seminar here: https://l.ead.me/bbJqq5

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

THE ROLE OF STEM

in the Future of the Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard serves many vital roles in the nation’s security efforts. Not only does it protect the country’s borders and enforce maritime laws, but it’s also among the first to receive a call during times of national crisis.

When Hurricane Harvey poured 52 inches of rain upon Houston during 36 hours in 2017, for example, the Coast Guard was brought in to help rescue more than Admiral Karl L. Schultz, 26th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

To watch Adm. Shultz Speech Live, Visit our YouTube channel here: https://l.ead.me/ bbJqtW

11,000 people. During the midterm elections of 2018, the branch was actively involved in mitigating cyber threats to prevent foreign intervention. As one might imagine, these duties require the skills of talented scientists and engineers, who the Coast Guard is working hard to recruit. 20

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

At the 2019 BEYA Stars & Stripes Dinner, Admiral Karl Schultz spoke about his vision for the future of the Coast Guard. As the recently appointed commandant, Schultz discussed some of the ways that the Guard is employing STEM specialists to support its national security efforts. “Today, we’re in an asymmetrical threat environment defined by rising power competition, illicit networks, terrorism, and cyber threats,” said Schultz. “The increasing complexity of such threats pose complicated challenges to our nation’s safety. The demand for Coast Guard services has never been higher.” He explained that one of his missions is to improve the readiness capabilities of the branch. This involves updating existing technologies and fostering innovation. “As STEM professionals know, it’s not enough to simply address current threats,” he said. “In today’s uncertain environment, we must find innovative solutions to emerging challenges.” Another of his aims is to build the most diverse workforce in Coast Guard history. “I’m focusing part of my readiness campaign on developing an inclusive service, one that recruits and retains the best America has to offer,” he explained. “We’re keenly focused on representing and looking more like the nation we serve.” He cites a few of the Guard’s most recent projects, focusing on the development of new “cutters,” a term used by members to describe their ships. “We’re building new fastresponse cutters, offshore patrol cutters, and, hopefully with the support of Congress and the administration, our first polar security cutter,” Schultz said. “It’s an exciting future.” However, he admits that the Coast Guard is facing some pressing issues, ones that he hopes increased STEM talent can fix. “We’ve got some challenges with technology. Our whole Enterprise Mission Platform is ripe for an update,” he said. “If you’re a STEM

by Christopher Zacher editors@ccgmag.com

professional, it’s the time to be in the Coast Guard. We need you.” He talks about some of the current methods the Coast Guard is using to recruit top-level candidates. Among these are training programs that promote service as a viable career option for talented people. “We’re a small service, but we offer young STEM leaders incredible opportunities early in their careers,” he said. “Whether they’re graduating from the Academy Officer Candidate School or coming out of our Enlisted Training Center at Cape May, our workforce immediately puts their skills to use.” During his speech, Schultz took the time to acknowledge the contributions of some former and current STEM-trained service members. One such person was Dr. Olivia Hooker—a psychologist, a survivor of the Tulsa race riots, and the first African-American woman to serve in the Coast Guard. “[She was] a visionary leader and trailblazer who had a profound impact on many people over the past century,” he said, discussing his meeting with her a few years ago. “Spending an hour and a half was one of the biggest treats in my life. She’s remarkable, and just sitting with her in her living room made me a better person.” He stressed that now more than ever, the branch has a deep need for talented individuals like Dr. Hooker to protect the country. As the 26th commandant of the Coast Guard, he’s committed to recruiting and retaining such people. “In the military, our people define our service. They’re not merely employees,” he said. “It’s crucial that we build a diverse workforce of people from different races, genders, and perspectives that embody the best tenets of our country. That’s what’s helping us build the best possible Coast Guard.” S

www.blackengineer.com

BLACK EXECS IN DEFENSE

Curated By Lango Deen

Forecast International Inc. (FI), a veteran-owned business in Newtown, CT, was founded by a former U.S. Air Force officer who earned a Master of Business Administration degree after retirement. FI’s chief executive has focused on aerospace and related military and civil industries since 1973. In FI’s latest “Defense Contractors” list, prime contractors of the U.S. Department of Defense are ranked by total contract funds. According to FI’s market research report, the DOD awarded $358.5 billion in contracts in 2018. The top awardee for aerospace and defense industry contracts was Lockheed Martin, with $38.8 billion in prime contracts, or 10.8 percent of total contract funds awarded. The runner-up was Boeing with $27.4 billion (7.6 percent), followed by Raytheon with $18.1 billion (5.1 percent), the FI report said. General Dynamics received $14.3 billion (4 percent), followed by Northrop Grumman, Huntington Ingalls, BAE Systems, United Technologies, L3 Technologies, and Humana. BAE Systems, which was ranked No. 7 on the list, was the largest foreign defense contractor in 2018. For USBE magazine’s “Black Executives at Defense Contractors” list, we look at corporate leaders at top defense contractors who are helping to build military aircraft like the F-35, Apaches, Black Hawks, military vehicles, submarines, and missiles. Companies are listed A to Z.

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

www.blackengineer.com

THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION

William Ampofo Malissia R. Clinton

Vice President, Business Aviation & General Aviation, Boeing Global Services

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

Denise Russell Fleming

Vice President of Information Technology (IT) Business Partners, Boeing Defense, Space & Security

BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON

ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORP.

Joan Robinson-Berry

Vice President and Chief Engineer, Boeing Global Services

Lloyd Howell, Jr. Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Maliek Ferebee

Chief Human Capital Officer

CARDINAL HEALTH THE BOEING COMPANY

Mark Cherry

Vice President and General Manager of Phantom Works, Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Victor Crawford Chief Executive Officer, Pharmaceutical segment

Bertrand-Marc (Marc) Allen

Senior Vice President of Boeing, President of Embraer Partnership and Group Operations

CIGNA

Keith Cooper

Vice President of Training & Professional Services, Boeing Global Services

Ted Colbert

Nicole Jones

Executive Vice President, The Boeing Company President and Chief Executive Officer, Boeing Global Services

Executive Vice President , General Counsel

Tony Martin

Vice President of Total Quality Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Mike Triplett President, U.S. Commercial www.blackengineer.com

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

BLACK EXECS IN DEFENSE COLLINS AEROSPACE

GENERAL ELECTRIC

Alicia Wilson Henry Brooks Customer & Account Management

DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP

Russell Stokes

Senior Vice President, GE President & CEO, GE Power Portfolio

Vice President for Economic Development Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health

System

HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES

Sherita Hill Golden Stanley Porter

Vice Chairman | Deloitte Consulting LLP US Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader

DYNCORP INTERNATIONAL LLC.

Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Johns Hopkins Medicine

Kellye Walker

Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

INSIGHT ENTERPRISES

Byron Green

Vice President of Operations

Gregory Nixon, Esq.

Chief Administrative Officer Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

Glynis Bryan

FEDEX

JOHNS HOPKINS

Chief Financial Officer

LEIDOS

Paul Engola

Chief Human Resources Officer Head of Business Partnerships

Matthew Thornton III

Executive Vice President and COO FedEx Freight

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Inez Stewart

Senior Vice President of Human Resources Johns Hopkins Medicine

www.blackengineer.com

LOCKHEED MARTIN

NORTHROP GRUMMAN

Kevin G. DaSilva Stephanie C. Hill

Senior Vice President, Enterprise Business Transformation

Christopher T. Jones

Vice President, Treasury

Corporate Vice President and President Northrop Grumman Technology Services

David Wilkins

Vice President, Contracts and Supply Chain

Patricia L. Lewis

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Shawn N. Purvis

Corporate Vice President and President Northrop Grumman Enterprise Services

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE, LLC.

PAE

Fred Taylor

Leo S. Mackay, Jr.

Director, Safety, Quality & Mission Success

Senior Vice President, Ethics and Enterprise Assurance

James Benton

Vice President and Chief Information Officer

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUE OF TECHNOLOGY

WORLDWIDE TECHNOLOGY

RAYTHEON

Dave Steward Chairman of the Board Melissa Nobles

Dean, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

www.blackengineer.com

John D. Harris II

Vice President of Business Development Raytheon Company, Chief Executive Officer, Raytheon International, Inc.

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

BLACKS IN THE MARINE CORPS

JOSEPH

Carpenter made history as one of the first Blacks in the U.S. Marine Corps. In the article America’s First Black Marines, the author Lenore T. Adkins writes about the history of Blacks in the Marines. This began in 1943 when Carpenter was ordered to report to a U.S. Marine base in Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, NC. Carpenter left his home in Washington for North Carolina. At Montford Point, he found that there were more than 20,000 other Black trainees. Like other areas of life at that time in America, the military was racially divided. As such, these first 20,000 Black trainees were called the Montford Pointers. Two years earlier, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed the executive order that established the Fair Employment Practices Committee, which opened the door to “full participation in the defense program by all persons regardless of color, race, creed, or national origin.” Five 26

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

years later, on July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order to put an end to racial segregation in America, and particularly in the ranks of the military. Carpenter continued to train in a Black unit during the Second World War. Black soldiers have contributed much to the American military, fighting in both integrated and segregated units. Breaking racial barriers was one of the major achievements of the Black corps in the U.S. Marines. African Americans have been involved in major wars and significant U.S. military operations. The contributions of Black soldiers cannot be overlooked. For instance, the Montford Pointers were particularly involved in maintaining aircraft combat in Alabama, which earned the team respect during World War II. Further, the Montford Pointers gave distinctive service during World War II in both internal and overseas military action. More than 13,000 Black Marines were deployed in

By Tyrone Taborn editors@ccgmag.com

various parts of the world during the war. In later years, even after the war, Black Marines continued to participate and contribute greatly to international wars in Iran and Syria. U.S. Marine history documents that the Montford Pointers were involved in helping Allied forces who were used in Okinawa Island. An important topic related to Black Marines is how racial barriers were broken. This is critical because during World War II and before, racial segregation was rooted in the Jim Crow laws. These laws required businesses and schools to be separate for Blacks and whites. In the Marines, for instance, Black soldiers had separate training units and would fight in battalions that were significantly racially segregated. Even after the executive order to remove segregation laws in 1948, Black soldiers were still forced to prove themselves. The first group of Black Marines had a hard time proving themselves equal to the other soldiers, and Blacks continued www.blackengineer.com

BLACK SOLDIERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE AMERICAN MILITARY, FIGHTING IN BOTH INTEGRATED AND SEGREGATED UNITS. BREAKING RACIAL BARRIERS WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BLACK CORPS IN THE U.S. MARINES.

to serve in the lower positions. Blacks were not only required to prove themselves in order to serve in higher positions, but also just to remain in military service. Edwin Fizer was among the soldiers enlisted in 1942, and he later became a sergeant. Fizer recalls how the white instructors and officers doubted the abilities of the Blacks. This expression of doubt was what strengthened him as he was determined to disprove these stereotypes. Fizer’s time in the military included being involved in retaking Guam from the Japanese. Carpenter, on the other hand, remained a clerk in Montford, where he helped unship prisoners of war from various parts of Europe. He later retired as a Marine lieutenant colonel. Most other Black soldiers in the Marines continued their services in the wars in Korea and Vietnam. By 2018, there were at least 440 living veterans who were in the first Black www.blackengineer.com

Sgt. Gilbert H. “Hashmark” Johnson, a veteran of service in both the Army and Navy, glares at the boots in his recruit platoon. He became a Marine in 1942.

American corps in the U.S. Marines. They have been recognized for their service to America multiple times. In 2012, they received Congressional awards and Congressional gold medals. Another recognition came in 1974 when Camp Montford Point was renamed to honor the first Black American sergeant in the base who instructed the drill. African Americans have given great and commendable service in the U.S. military. Although they began joining the Marines

in the mid-20th century, Black soldiers have fought in other wars in American history. For instance, during the Civil War to end slavery, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment had 37 white soldiers and 1,007 Black soldiers. About a century earlier, more than 5,000 African Americans fought in the Revolutionary War on the patriotic side. African-American warriors have a long history of accomplishments in the U.S. Marines and military in general. S

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE

SUPPORTING OUR ARMED FORCES Raytheon salutes the men and women of the armed services, whose selﬂess service and sacriﬁce make the world a safer place.

RAYTHEON.COM/ARMEDSERVICES

Calling all employers Are you an employer looking for great ways to share your company's new job opportunities for an incredible career in STEM?

Let us help you! Post job openings Connect with qualified candidates Become a featured employer If you are ready, visit

www.ccgjobmatch.com

Career Communications Group, Inc. | 729 East Pratt St., Suite 504 | Baltimore, MD 21202 | (410) 244-7101 | www.ccgmag.com

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

www.blackengineer.com

TOP BLACK THE

OFFICERS

IN THE U. S. M I LI TA RY

E ACH YE AR US Black Engineer & Information Technology (USBE) magazine issues

its scorecard of Black progress in the U.S. Armed Forces. USBE’s annual Top Blacks in the Military list showcases top brass in the U.S. military. Although Black officers make up less than 6 percent at the highest levels, there are more African-Americans in the military’s top ranks compared to the percentage of Black executives on the highest rungs of corporate America. USBE’s annual “Stars and Stripes” list features top African-American admirals, generals, and members of the federal Senior Executive Service (SES). That’s why the Stars & Stripes program at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference is an integral part of BEYA STEM, produced by Career Communications Group, Inc, publisher of USBE Magazine. One of the nation’s largest events honoring both active and retired African-American admirals, generals. and members of the Senior Executive Service, the featured service of the Stars & Stripes event at BEYA alternates between the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard Bureau. The featured service is determined on a rotating basis. The United States Marine Corps will be the featured service of the 2020 Stars & Stripes event.

www.blackengineer.com

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military LT. GEN. BRUCE CR AWFORD

Chief Information Officer (CIO)/G-6 Headquarters Department of the Army Chief Information Officer

U.S.ARMY

GEN. MICHAEL X. GARRETT Commanding General U.S. Army Forces Command

Gen. Michael X. Garrett assumed duties as the 23rd commander of United States Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, NC, on March 21. As commander of the United States Army’s largest organization, he commands 215,000 active duty soldiers, and 190,000 in the U.S. Army reserve, while providing training and readiness oversight of the U.S. Army National Guard. In total, the Forces Command team includes 745,000 soldiers and 96,000 civilians. Garrett has commanded at every level from company through Army Service Component Command and led units in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A career infantryman, Garrett received his commission in 1984 upon graduating from Xavier University. Following his initial military training courses, including Ranger, Pathfinder, and Jumpmaster, he served his formative years in the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division, where he commanded 3rd Battalion 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. He also commanded the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (Light), which he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following Brigade Command, Garrett served as the deputy commanding general of United States Army Recruiting Command, and subsequently, as chief of staff, XVIII Airborne Corps. In support of Operation New Dawn, he deployed to Iraq as the deputy chief of staff for United States Forces—Iraq. Returning stateside, he served as commanding general, United States Army Alaska, before assuming duty as chief of staff, United States Central Command. His most recent assignment was as commanding general, United States Army Central (USARCENT) and Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC). Garrett holds a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University, and his military education includes United States Army Command and General Staff College and a Senior Service College Fellowship. Garrett is happily married to Lorelei, has two grown children, and is a physical fitness enthusiast.

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford became the Army chief information officer (CIO)/G-6 on Aug. 1, 2017. As the CIO, Crawford reports directly to the secretary of the Army, setting strategic direction and objectives for the Army network, and supervises all Army C4 (command, control, communications, and computers) and information technology functions. He also oversees the Army’s $10 billion IT investments, manages enterprise IT architecture, establishes and enforces IT policies, and directs the delivery of operational C4IT capabilities to support warfighters and business users. Like the G-6, he advises the chief of staff of the Army on the network, communications, signal operations, information security, force structure, and equipping. A native of Columbia, SC, Crawford was commissioned through South Carolina State University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program on May 28, 1986, after graduating as a distinguished military graduate with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. He also holds a Master of Science in administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In his previous assignment, he served as a special assistant to the director of the Army Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

LT. GEN. R. SCOTT DINGLE The Surgeon General United States Army

Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle is the surgeon general of the United States Army. He previously served as the deputy surgeon general and deputy commanding general (support), U.S. Army Medical Command. Other assignments include commanding general, Regional Health Command—Atlantic; U.S. Army Medical command deputy chief of staff for operations; chief, medical plans and operations, 18th Airborne Corps Surgeon’s Office; chief, medical plans and operations Multinational Corps—Iraq Surgeon’s Office; commander, 261st Multifunctional Medical Battalion; director, health care operations/G-3, office of the surgeon general, and commander, 30th Medical Brigade, Germany. Dingle is a distinguished military graduate of Morgan State University. His degrees include a Master of Science in www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. ARMY

administration, Master of Military Arts and Science, and a Master of Science in national security strategy. Dingle’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit (3), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (8) Joint Service Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Order of Military Medical Merit, Order of Kentucky Colonels, and the Army Surgeon General’s prestigious 9A Proficiency Designator.

LT. GEN. JASON T. EVANS Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9

Lieutenant General Jason Evans was confirmed as the Army’s first deputy chief of staff, G-9, on September 21, 2019. He last served as commander of U.S Army Human Resources Command. Evans was born in Baltimore, MD, and raised as an Air Force dependent. He attended Wentworth Military Academy, where he earned an associate degree in business administration. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and national resource strategy. Evans has served in command and staff positions in the continental United States, Italy, Somalia, Kosovo, Germany, and Iraq with the 13th Corps Support Command, III U.S. Corps, 510th Personnel Services Battalion, 1st Personnel Command, USAREUR, Installation Management Command, Multi-National Force—Iraq, office of the assistant secretary of the Army and as director of military personnel management in the office of the deputy chief of staff, Army G-1. He is a graduate of the Adjutant General’s Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff Services School, Command and General Staff College, the Army Resource Management Course, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

LT. GEN. CHARLES HOOPER

Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency Department of Defense

Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper has served as the director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency since July 2017. Before his current assignment, he was the senior U.S. defense representative and defense attaché in the U.S. Embassy, Cairo, Egypt. He was a director of the strategy, plans, and programs, J-5, United States Africa Command at

www.blackengineer.com

Kelly Barracks, Germany; deputy director for strategic planning and policy, J-5, United States Pacific Command, Camp Smith, HI; and U.S. Defense Attaché, United States Embassy, Beijing, China. Other assignments include foreign area officer chairman at the Naval Postgraduate School; chief, Army International Affairs Division, Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate, office of the deputy chief of staff, G-3/5/7, Army Staff; and senior country director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, office of the secretary of defense. Hooper was awarded the Don K. Price Award for Academic Excellence and Public Service at Harvard University and was selected to give the graduate student address at the 1989 Harvard University commencement exercise. Hooper earned a Bachelor of Science at the U.S. Military Academy, a Master of Public Administration at Harvard University, and a Master of Science in strategic studies from U.S. Army War College.

LT. GEN. AUNDRE PIGGEE

Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 (Army Logistics)

Lt. Gen. Aundre Piggee assumed duties as the deputy chief of staff of the Army for logistics, G-4, on Sept. 23, 2016. He manages a $6 billion annual portfolio used to fund the Army’s arsenals and depots, maintain equipment, and acquire supplies to ensure the Army is ready to fight any mission around the world. In his 35 years in the Army, he has commanded thousands of soldiers, held key staff positions, and deployed to Kuwait, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Previously he was the director of logistics and engineering, J-4, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL, and responsible for logistics and engineering efforts in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. He spearheaded initiatives to build partner capacity in Iraq and train and equip missions in Syria and Afghanistan. He led logistics operations in Europe as the commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command in Germany. He was responsible for joint logistics operations in South Korea as the assistant chief of staff, logistics, United States Forces Korea. He also served as commander of the Fort Hoodbased 15th Sustainment Brigade and deployed to Iraq to provide logistics support during surge operations.

LT. GEN. LESLIE C. SMITH

Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Army

Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith was sworn in as the Army’s 66th inspector general and promoted to lieutenant general on March 14, 2018. Before those roles, he served as deputy to the inspector general in the office of the secretary of the Army. Smith’s previous assignment was as the 4th commander of the United States Army 20th Support Command (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S.ARMY

high-yield explosives). His early assignments include the 1-230th Field Artillery Battalion of the 48th Infantry Brigade, Chemical Staff officer in the 3-52nd Air Defense Artillery Battalion, Division and DIVARTY staff officer and company commander in the 82nd Airborne Division, Chemical Branch PERSCOM, S-3 and XO in the 23rd Chemical Battalion, and the Joint Staff, J-5. In 2001, he assumed command of the 83d Chemical Battalion, where elements of the battalion deployed in support of Operations New Dawn, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Following command, he served on the Army Staff in the G-8 as the deputy division chief and chief of NBC Branch for the Full Dimensional Protection Division. In 2005, he assumed command of the 3d Chemical Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood and later served as the 25th chief of chemical and commandant of the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School.

LT. GEN. STEPHEN TWITTY

Deputy Commander United States European Command (EUCOM)

Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty became deputy commander of EUCOM in August 2018. He has held command and staff positions at every level in all theaters of operations. His experience includes being platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division, a company commander in the 24th Infantry Division, battalion commander, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division; brigade commander, 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division; and deputy commanding general and commanding general of the 1st Armored Division. Twitty’s staff experience includes aide-de-camp; speechwriter in HQDA G3, JCS intern for strategic plans and policy; executive officer to the deputy of U.S. Northern Command; chief of staff, U.S. Army Central; deputy chief of staff for strategic communications ISAF; and the deputy chief of staff G-3/5/7, FORSCOM. Twitty is a distinguished military graduate of South Carolina State University and holds a Master of Science degree in public administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science in national security strategy from the National Defense University. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Meritorious Service Medal (5 Oak Leaf Clusters).

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

LT. GEN. DARRELL K. WILLIAMS Director Defense Logistics Agency

Lt. Gen. Darrell Williams is the 19th director of the Defense Logistics Agency, headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA. He is a native of West Palm Beach, FL, and a distinguished military graduate of the Hampton Institute ROTC Program in 1983. He leads the Defense Department’s $38 billion combat support agency for worldwide logistics. He directs nine supply chains supporting the U.S. Military Services and Global Commands, as well as federal, state, local, and international partners. DLA provides food, medical material, uniforms, construction equipment, fuel, and spare parts for military weapons systems. He oversees the National Defense Stockpile, the process for disposal and utilization, an international network of 34 distribution centers, and a global workforce of over 26,000 people. His most recent assignments include: commanding general, Combined Arms Support Command, Fort Lee, VA; commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Bragg, NC; deputy chief of staff, U.S. Army Materiel Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL; commander, DLA Land and Maritime in Columbus, OH; and director of logistics, engineering and security assistance, J-4, Headquarters, United States Pacific Command, Hawaii. His graduate and post-graduate education includes a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the National War College.

LT. GEN. DARRYL A . WILLIAMS Superintendent United States Military Academy

Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams assumed duties as the 60th superintendent of the United States Military Academy in July 2018. He graduated from West Point in 1983 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. A career field artillery officer, he most recently served as the commander, NATO Allied Land Command, in Izmir, Turkey. Prior to this, he served as the commander, United States Army Africa (USARAF), in Vicenza, Italy; the deputy chief of staff G-3/5/7 of United States Army in Europe, located in Wiesbaden, Germany; the deputy commanding general for support for the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea; and commanding general for the United States Army Warrior Transition www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. ARMY

Command and assistant surgeon general for warrior care and transition. In addition to these assignments, Williams has served in key leadership positions, including battery commander in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; commander, division artillery, 1st Armored Division and fire, and effects coordinator, 1st Armored Division deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; deputy director for soldier comprehensive fitness, Department of the Army G-3/5/7; and while commanding USARAF in 2014, he was involved with Operation United Assistance fighting against the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.

MA J. GEN. CARL ALEX

Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Joint Forces Command Headquarters-Brunssum North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Maj. Gen. Carl Alex is an accomplished visionary and transformational senior executive with over seven years of senior executive experience in 36 years of military executive and strategic leadership, planning, development, and implementation. He is a decisive, highly adaptable, and solution-oriented senior executive with an excellent reputation for resolving problems and managing transitions. He has served at NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum for more than two years as deputy chief of staff for operations and intelligence. As chief operations officer, he provides strategic leadership, oversight, and management of daily operations activities and functions. He synchronizes, coordinates, and integrates joint and multinational efforts, resources, operations, and training to achieve NATO strategic and operational military objectives. Alex builds joint, multinational, and political relationships and teams for strategic scanning, development, and implementation of operational strategies. He provides focused leadership, oversight, and direction for four directorates of 250 personnel. Prior to his current position, he has served as the director of operations for U.S. Army Central Command (ARCENT), assistant director of operations for U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), and executive manager of logistics of a U.S. Army Infantry Division, Commander, Train-Advise-Assist Regional Command—East.

MA J. GEN. GARY BRITO

Commanding General, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence

Maj. Gen. Gary Brito was commissioned as an infantry officer through Penn State University and entered active duty in March 1987. He most recently served as the commanding general, Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk. Previous assignments include deputy commanding general for sustainment, then

www.blackengineer.com

later Operations, 25th Infantry Division; director, Force 2025 and Beyond, U.S. Army Capabilities and Integration Center, Training and Doctrine and Command (TRADOC); and operations officer (G-3) for III Corps, Fort Hood, TX. Throughout his career, Brito has served in a variety of assignments to include commander, 120th Infantry Brigade, First Army; commander, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division; operations officer (S-3), 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment; and later as the brigade operations officer (S-3), 2d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. He served as the Aide-de-Camp to the III Corps commanding general, Fort Hood, TX; and chief, Commander’s Planning Group and interim executive officer to the commanding general, TRADOC. Brito has twice served at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA: first as a company/team and battle staff observer/controller and later as a senior battalion and brigade combat team trainer. He has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Brito is married to the former Michelle Harper of Washington, D.C. They have two sons, Matthew and Patrick.

MA J. GEN. X AVIER BRUNSON Commanding General, 7th Infantry Division Fort Lewis, WA

Brig. Gen. Xavier Brunson became a major general in the United States Army on April 2. His previous positions were chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force— Operation Inherent Resolve, Iraq, and XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC. Other operational assignments include Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Brunson was commissioned as an infantry officer upon graduation from Hampton University in 1990. He has held numerous leadership assignments, from platoon leader to brigade commander. Upon selection for promotion to brigadier general, he served as the assistant commanding general—support, United States Army Special Forces Command (now 1st Special Forces Command) (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Following the completion of his duties, Brunson was assigned as the deputy commanding general, operations, 10th Mountain Division (Light) at Fort Drum, NY. He has deployed numerous times in support of contingency and named operations. Brunson holds a B.A. in political science from Hampton University, an M.A. in human

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S.ARMY

resources from Webster University, and an M.S. in national security and strategic studies from the United States Army War College.

MA J. GEN. PATRICK W. BURDEN Director for Combat Systems U.S. Army Futures Command

Maj. Gen. Patrick Burden is the director for combat systems at the U.S. Army Futures Command. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army and entered active duty in 1987. His tactical assignments have included stations in Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan. He deployed for Operations Desert Shield and Storm in 1991, and he served as the deputy commanding general at the Combined Security Transition Command for Headquarters, Resolute Support in Kabul, Afghanistan. His assignments have leveraged his expertise in acquisitions, information systems, communications, transportation, aviation electronics, and information warfare. Burden holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Alabama A&M University and a master’s degree in management information systems from Florida Institute of Technology. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, the Advanced Program Management Course at the Defense Systems Management College, and the U.S. Army Senior Service College Fellowship Program at the University of Texas at Austin. Among Burden’s many awards and decorations are the Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, and the Bronze Star Medal.

MA J. GEN RONALD CLARK

Commanding General, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Chief of Staff, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii

Maj. Gen. Ronald Clark currently serves as the commander of the 25th Infantry Division. He previously served as the chief of staff, United States Army Pacific. Before that, he was the chief of staff, U.S. Army Pacific. The U.S. Army Pacific prepares Army forces to contribute to a stable and secure Pacific Command area of responsibility. Clark joined USARPAC following his assignment as deputy chief of staff—operations for the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Corps. Prior assignments include rotation as the Army’s deputy director of strategy, plans, and policy in the Pentagon and a tour of duty as deputy commanding general—support with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC, and Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve. Clark was promoted to brigadier general on April 24, 2015, during a ceremony at the 82nd Airborne headquarters. Clark was among roughly 500 paratroopers from the headquarters to head to Iraq in June for a nine-month deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In August 2016, Clark was assigned as deputy chief of staff for operations, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, United Kingdom.

MA J. GEN. TELITA CROSLAND

Deputy Surgeon General/Deputy Commanding General (Operations) and Chief Medical Corps

Maj. Gen. Telita Crosland is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. In addition to her Doctor of Medicine, she also holds a Master of Public Health from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. She entered the Army as a Medical Corps officer in 1993. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and is a recipient of the Surgeon General’s “A” proficiency designator. Crosland has served in a variety of leadership positions including officer in charge, Camp Walker Health Clinic, South Korea; officer in charge, Bennett Health Clinic, Fort Hood, TX; chief, soldier care, Fort Lewis, WA; deputy chief, Department of Family Medicine, Fort Lewis, WA; commander, U.S. Army Health Clinic, Grafenwoehr, Germany; senior medical officer, office of the surgeon general, Falls Church, VA; commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Heidelberg, Germany; Medical Corps branch chief, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, KY; commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and commanding general, Regional Health Command—Atlantic, Fort Belvoir, VA.

MA J. GEN. SEAN GAINEY

Deputy Director of Force Protection, J-8, at the Joint Staff

Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey serves as deputy director of force protection, J-8, at the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. Gainey was commanding general of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Shafter, HI. He served on Fort Bragg as the commander of the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. In 1990, he commissioned in www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. ARMY

the Air Defense Artillery Corps upon graduation from Georgia Southern University. He has served in numerous key staff positions and has commanded units from the battery to the brigade level. He deployed with 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade as a brigade commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Gainey also deployed with 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, and as a battalion commander in support of the Joint Task Force East. Gainey holds a Master of Science degree in personnel management from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science degree in national security and resource strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security.

MA J. GEN. CHARLES HAMILTON Commanding General 8th Theater Sustainment Command

Maj. Gen. Charles Hamilton became the commanding general of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command on June 7, 2018. Before that, he served as assistant chief of staff, J-4, United States Forces Korea, deputy assistant chief of staff, U-4, United Nations Command, and deputy assistant chief of staff, C-4, Combined Forces Command on Sept. 19, 2017. Previously, he commanded Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support; his unit provided $14 billion worth annually of food, clothing and textiles, construction and engineering equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment, and industrial hardware items for America’s warfighters worldwide. He has served in key logistics leadership positions throughout his career, including several overseas tours and three deployments to Afghanistan. He is a distinguished military graduate from the Officer Candidate School. Hamilton graduated from Virginia State University and has a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University and a second master’s degree in military studies from Marine Corps University. His military education includes Senior Service College as a 2012 OSD Corporate Fellow.

MA J. GEN. MITCHELL L . KILGO

Commander of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Senior Commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground

Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo assumed duties as the 16th commander of the U.S. Army Communications-

www.blackengineer.com

Electronics Command and senior commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground on June 20. As the commanding general for a 9,000-person, two-star global command and the senior commander of a 28,000-person military base, Kilgo serves as the U.S. Army’s command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR) materiel integrator. He is responsible for enabling the U.S. Army’s warfighting readiness by providing sustainable global C5ISR support. Raised in Newport News, VA, Kilgo entered active duty in January 1988 after graduating from Virginia Union University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and natural sciences. He also holds a Master of Science degree in systems technology (joint command, control, and communications) from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Science degree in national security strategy from the National War College. During his 31 years as an Army officer, Kilgo served in a variety of command and staff positions. His most recent assignment was as the J-6 for U.S. Central Command, where he oversaw the implementation and management of the global communications and computer networks for the Central Region.

MA J. GEN. DONNA MARTIN Commandant United States Army Military Police School

Maj. Gen. Donna Martin has served as the commandant of the United States Army Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, since July 14, 2017. Before that, she was the deputy commanding general for operations, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, and chief of investigation, HQDA Inspector General Agency. She has commanded twice at the brigade level, leading the 202nd Military Police Group (CID) followed immediately by the Rear Detachment, 18th Military Police Brigade. Other positions include platoon leader, 66th Military Police Company; commander, Fort Belvoir Military Police Company; executive officer, 102d Military Police Detachment (CID); executive officer, 3d Military Police Battalion; branch chief, U.S. Pacific Command J-34 Anti-terrorism/ Force Protection Directorate; commander of the 385th Military Police Battalion; and inspector general, 3d Infantry Division. Martin graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and was commissioned a second lieutenant

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S.ARMY

in 1988. She is also a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.

MA J. GEN. A .C. ROPER Deputy Chief U.S. Army Reserve

Maj. Gen. A.C. Roper began his current duties in July 2018. Most recently, he served as the commanding general for the 76th U.S. Army Reserve Operational Response Command in Salt Lake City, UT, which is the Army Reserve’s all-hazard response command. The Army Reserve is a community-based force with more than 200,000 soldiers and civilians with a “footprint” that includes 50 states and territories. Roper has more than 30 years of military service. He was deployed during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and again during Operation Enduring Freedom, where he served as the military spokesman for all U.S. Army forces in Afghanistan. He also is the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star and the General MacArthur Leadership Award, which is given annually to the top U.S. Army officers in the nation. Named police chief of Birmingham, AL, in 2007, Roper announced in November 2017 that he would be stepping down. He left the job officially in April. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Troy University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the FBI National Executive Institute.

MA J. GEN. MICHEL M. RUSSELL Director of Operations for the Army G-4

Maj. Gen. Michel M. Russell currently serves as the director of operations for the Army G-4. In 1987, as a distinguished military graduate, he was commissioned a 2LT after graduating from John Jay College and Fordham University ROTC in New York. He served in several key developmental, broadening, and command assignments to include the office of the secretary of defense, HQDA, the Joint Staff, USFK J-4/deputy C-4/deputy U-4, and as the 28th chief of transportation and commandant of the U.S. Army’s Transportation School. He has commanded at all levels, specifically, as commander, 47th Forward Support Battalion, 2BCT, 1AD during Operation Iraqi Freedom VIII; as commander 401st

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Army Field Support Brigade in Bagram, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom XI-XII, and most recently as commander, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Republic of Korea. He holds master’s degrees in administration from Central Michigan University, military studies from the Marine Corps University, and national resource strategy from the National Defense University. He is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and CAPSTONE. Russell is very happily married to Sieglinde; they have two adult children: Michel Jr. and Nicholas.

MA J. GEN. PATRICK SARGENT

Commanding General US Army Medical Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

Maj. Gen. Patrick Sargent assumed command of the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence in 2018. Before that, he served as deputy commanding general for operations, U.S. Army Medical Command. He has also served as deputy chief of staff, G-3/5/7 for the U.S. Army Medical Command, Washington, D.C., and commander, Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, TX, where he led efforts to implement soldier- and patient-centered medical homes and the CRDAMC Replacement Project. Sargent is board certified in healthcare administration and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit and Order of Saint Michael. He is the recipient of the Tuskegee Airman Inc. prestigious Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. National Military Award. Sargent earned the Army surgeon general’s prestigious 9A Proficiency Designator for being qualified as an aeromedical evacuation officer. He is a distinguished military graduate and received his commission and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Florida State University.

MA J. GEN. KEVIN VEREEN

Provost Marshal General of the Army Commanding General U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command

Maj. Gen. Kevin Vereen is the provost marshal general of the Army, commanding general, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command. He serves as the principal military advisor to the secretary of the Army and the CSA on policing matters to include criminal investigations, criminal intelligence fusion, corrections, biometrics, physical security, high-risk personnel security, antiterrorism, and detention operations. Vereen is the commander of CID, serving as the

www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. ARMY

DA’s independent criminal investigative authority. He oversees five brigade-level commands/directorates providing global support in significant criminal investigations, protective services, forensics, and investigative support to military commissions. Vereen has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Campbell University, a master’s degree in international relations and strategic studies from Troy State University, and the U.S. Army War College, respectively. He is a lifetime member of the Military Police Regimental Association and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal. Vereen was born at Fort Bragg, NC, and is a native of Fayetteville, NC. He graduated from Campbell University in North Carolina in 1988.

MA J. GEN. WILLIAM WALKER Commanding General District of Columbia National Guard

Maj. Gen. William Walker is the commanding general, District of Columbia National Guard. He reports directly to the secretary of the Army and is responsible for the strategic leadership, readiness, and employment of the District of Columbia Army and Air National Guard units. Prior senior leadership assignments include commander, Joint Task Force 58th Presidential Inauguration; commander, Land Component Command; commander, Mobilization Augmentation Command and chief of staff, District of Columbia Army National Guard; and vice J-2, National Guard Bureau, Intelligence Directorate and Commander, U.S. Army South, Beyond the Horizons, Joint Task Force—Jamaica. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Walker served in the Army Operations Center in support of Operation Noble Eagle. In 2011, he was again mobilized and simultaneously served as chief, Theater Observation Detachment—Afghanistan, Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL); Senior CALL Liaison to the commander, International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan; and senior military strategist, American Embassy Kabul, Office of Transition in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Walker was commissioned in 1985 through the University of Illinois at Chicago Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.

www.blackengineer.com

MA J. GEN. JONATHAN WOODSON Commanding General Army Reserve Medical Command

Maj. Gen. Jonathan Woodson assumed duty as Army Reserve Medical Command commanding general on March 31, following his previous assignment as 3rd Medical Command deputy commanding general. A native of New York City, NY, Woodson is a graduate of the City College of New York and the New York University School of Medicine. He received his postgraduate medical education at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and completed residency training in internal medicine, general, and vascular surgery. He is board certified in internal medicine, general surgery, vascular surgery, and critical care surgery. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. Woodson has served in a variety of assignments from the tactical level through Corps, including the commander of the 399th Combat Support Hospital, 330th Medical Brigade, and assignment as the assistant surgeon general for reserve affairs, force structure, and mobilization. In his civilian capacity, Woodson is a professor in management and professor of the practice at the Boston University Questrom School of Business, professor of surgery at Boston University School of Medicine; and professor of health law, policy, and management at the Boston University School of Public Health.

BRIG. GEN. ALFRED ABR AMSON III

Joint Program Executive Officer Armaments & Ammunition Commanding General, Picatinny Arsenal

Brig. Gen. Alfred Abramson became the Joint Program executive officer, armaments and ammunition and the commanding general, Picatinny Arsenal, on Dec. 29, 2017. Before this, Abramson served as the deputy program executive officer, ammunition and senior commander, Picatinny Arsenal, and led the mission to develop and procure conventional and leap-ahead munitions to increase the warfighter’s combat power. Before his arrival at Picatinny, he was the deputy Joint Program executive officer for chemical and biological defense. Abramson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Chemical Corps after graduating from Virginia State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. His civilian education includes a master’s degree in USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S.ARMY

chemistry from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College. His military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Support Operations Course, the Combined Arms, and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, the Advanced Program Management Course, the Senior Service College, and the Senior Leaders Course.

commander of 998th Quartermaster Company, Battalion Commander of 1st BN, 7th Warrior Training Brigade, deputy commander of 7th Warrior Training Brigade, and the Army Reserve equipment management branch chief. Additionally, Buggs has served as a CENTCOM joint planner, the 79th Theater Sustainment Command Support operations chief, and as a CENTCOM LNO to AFRICOM and EUCOM. He has three combat deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

BRIG. GEN. KEVIN ADMIR AL

BRIG. GEN. CLEMENT COWARD

Brig. Gen. Kevin Admiral currently serves as the U.S. Army Armor School Commandant, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, GA. Commissioned as an armor officer through Army ROTC, Admiral has enjoyed the privilege of leading soldiers in armor, cavalry, stryker, and mechanized infantry units in Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, and multiple locations in the United States. During staff assignments, Admiral taught at the Armor Captain’s Career Course, served as an aide-de-camp to the 36th Army chief of staff, and as executive officer to the UN Command/Combined Forces Command/US Forces Korea commander. Before assuming his current duties, Admiral served as the 4th Infantry Division deputy CGManeuver & TF Southeast commander in southeastern Afghanistan. He received a B.S. in cellular biology from the University of Kansas and an M.S. in campaign planning and strategy from the National Defense University. He is also a fellow of the Royal College of Defense Studies in London, England.

Brig. Gen. Clement Coward is the commander of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Bliss, TX. He last served as the deputy director for force protection on the Joint Staff J-8. In this role, he was the Joint Staff lead for integrated missile defense, counter unmanned aerial systems, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications, a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College, and a Master of Science degree in strategic studies from the Army War College. His previous assignments include deputy commander, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command; brigade commander, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade; secretary of the Joint Staff and chief of operations, United States Forces, Iraq; chief of the secretary of the Army’s Strategic Initiatives Group; and director, business operations, Office of Business Transformation, Office of the Under Secretary of the Army.

Commandant, Maneuver Center of Excellence US Army Armor School

BRIG. GEN. VINCENT E. BUGGS Commanding General 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

A native of Bossier City, LA, Brig. Gen. Vincent E. Buggs was commissioned as a quartermaster second lieutenant from GA Southern University in Statesboro, GA, in 1990. He is a graduate of the Command General Staff Course, the Defense Strategy Course, and the Air War College. He currently holds a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in German, a master’s degree in global history, and a master’s degree in strategic studies. Buggs has served in various Logistics Corps positions, including company

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Commander, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command Fort Bliss, Texas

BRIG. GEN. JOHNNY DAVIS Commander U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command

Brig. Gen. Johnny K. Davis assumed command of the U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command on June 14, 2018. He has served in numerous command and staff assignments over his career as an infantry officer, starting as a Bradley platoon leader in the 24th ID. He served in the 82d Airborne Division as a company commander and

www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. ARMY

aide to the commanding general. Davis was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as a battalion and brigade operations officer. He then served as the aide to the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before returning to Fort Campbell to command 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry. He served as director of the Army Wounded Warrior Program, followed by command of the 3rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer. After command, Davis served as the executive officer to the UNC/CFC/US Forces Korea commanding general. Most recently, Davis served as deputy commanding general—operations for the 25th Infantry Division.

BRIG. GEN. A ARON DEAN Adjutant General District of Columbia National Guard

Brig. Gen. Aaron Dean is adjutant general, District of Columbia National Guard. Before that, he was commanding general of the MultiAgency Augmentation Command. He also served as the acting land component commander responsible for the strategic leadership and operational employment of units assigned and attached to the District of Columbia Army National Guard (DCARNG). He was the District of Columbia Joint Task Force commander for domestic operations. He ensured the Joint Task Force effectively responded to federal and district missions to support civil authorities in the execution of their all-hazards plans. Dean received his commission from the Army Reserve Officer Training Program at Washington State University. Commissioned as a military police officer, Dean has commanded a company, battalion, and brigade elements and has provided operational planning and leadership for 12 National Special Security Events. In his endeavors as a battalion commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he provided advisory assistance to the Baghdad chief of police.

BRIG. GEN. MICHAEL DILLARD

Commanding General of the 78th Training Division

Brig. Gen. Michael Dillard, commanding general of the 78th Training Division (operations), is responsible for planning and executing tough, realistic exercises that train and assess active reserve and guard units for deployment throughout the world. Before that, he served as the commanding general of the 310th Sustainment

www.blackengineer.com

Command (Expeditionary) of 10,000 soldiers across 10 states; he also supported the 3rd Corps in this capacity. Dillard began his career in the Army in 1981 as a private. He then received his commission in 1983 from the University of Richmond as a field artillery officer. His prior assignments include deputy commander, 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command; brigade commander, 97th Training Brigade (Intermediate Level Education), 80th Training Command (Total Army School System); brigade commander, 2nd Brigade (PD), 104th Training Division (Leader Training); and group commander, 2nd Battle Command Training Group. He also served as a battalion commander, 687th Quartermaster Battalion, Kuwait Combined Forces Land Coalition Component, Kuwait, and as a company commander for Charlie Company, 3/318th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade, 80th Training Division, during Operation Desert Storm. He earned his Master of Business Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

BRIG. GEN. ROBERT EDMONSON Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6, Forces Command

Brig. Gen. Robert L. Edmonson II currently serves as the U.S. Army Forces Command, deputy chief of staff, G-6. Edmonson began his Army career in 1991 as an infantry officer before becoming a signal corps officer. His major assignments include the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), 82d Airborne Division, Joint Staff Pentagon, Army Staff Pentagon, and Army Intelligence & Security Command. Edmonson last served as the 38th chief of signal and commandant of the Army Signal School where he was responsible for the initial military training and professional military education for nearly 65,000 Signal Corps soldiers across the active duty, national guard, and army reserve components. He has commanded at every level. Edmonson received an Army commission through Frostburg State University, holds a master’s degree in information resource management from Central Michigan University, and a Master’s Degree in national security strategy from National Defense University, Washington, D.C.

BRIG. GEN. OMUSO D. GEORGE

Director, Operations and Support, Army Budget Office Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army en route to Director, Resource Management, G8, Installation Management Command (IMCOM)

Brig. Gen. Omuso George is responsible for budget formulation, presentation, and management of the Army’s operations and maintenance, military personnel, and Army Working Capital Fund appropriations, over

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S.ARMY

$106 billion for the fiscal year 2019. Previously, he served as the executive officer to the assistant secretary from July 2016 to July 2017. From June 2014–July 2016, George served as the assistant chief of staff, G-8, for III Corps, Fort Hood, TX, including deployment with the III Corps Headquarters as the CJ8 director (chief financial officer) in support of Combined Joint Task Force, Operation Inherent Resolve in Kuwait and Iraq from September 2015 to June 2016. From August 2013–June 2014, George served as the executive officer to the military deputy for budget in the office of the assistant secretary of the Army (financial management and comptroller).

BRIG. GEN. UR AL GLANVILLE

Chief Judge, United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals U.S. Army Legal Services Agency

Brig. Gen. Ural Glanville has served as the chief judge, United States Army Legal Services Agency, since 2013. Before being selected chief judge, U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, he was the commanding general of the NATO Rule of Law Support Mission/Rule of Law Field Force—Afghanistan. Throughout his military career, Glanville has served in several key positions, including senior legal opinions officer, chief of operational and civil law for the 2125th Garrison Support Unit (XVIII Airborne Corps), command judge advocate for the 359th Signal Brigade, and staff judge advocate (SJA) for the 335th Signal Command prior to his deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a civilian, Glanville became a superior court judge in Fulton County, Georgia’s busiest trial court of general jurisdiction. Glanville’s duties include the trial of cases involving felony offenses, equity, and cases regarding title to land. Born in Columbus, OH, he was commissioned in 1984, beginning his 31 years of military service. Glanville is a highly decorated general officer whose military education includes an M.A. in strategic studies from the Army War College, a J.D. from the University of Georgia (UGA), a B.A. in history from UGA, and an A.A. from Brevard College.

CHAPLAIN (BRIG. GEN.) WILLIAM (BILL) GREEN, JR. Deputy Chief of Chaplains

Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) William (Bill) Green, Jr. became the Army’s 26th deputy chief of chaplains in August 2019. As the deputy chief of chaplains, Green supports the chief

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

of chaplains in leading the Army Chaplain Corps, to provide religious support to soldiers, families, and civilians of the U.S. Army. Green is a native of Savannah, GA, and grew up on Hilton Head Island, SC. He is a 1989 distinguished military graduate of Savannah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. In 1992, he graduated from Emory University, Decatur, GA, with a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology. He is endorsed by the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and became an Army chaplain in 1994. Green has been married to the former Robin McDowell for 35 years. Together they have three adult children—Rinard, Christian, and Haley—and nine grandchildren.

BRIG. GEN. ISA AC JOHNSON

Assistant Chief of Staff C9 Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command (CFC)

Brig. Gen. Isaac Johnson is third-generation Army and a 1992 graduate of the Mississippi State University Army ROTC Program. He holds an Executive Education Certification from The Warton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a J.D. from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, an M.B.A. from Jackson State University, a B.B.A. from the Mississippi State University, and an M.A. in strategic studies from the Army War College. As C-9 CFC, he advises the CFC commander on civil-military operations and civil affairs. Previously, he served as chief of staff, 350th Civil Affairs Command and commander, 360th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne). Johnson has several joint assignments, overseas tours, and deployments to the Horn of Africa and Afghanistan. As an Army Reservist, in his civilian capacity, he is a licensed Texas attorney and executive with USAA Chief Legal Office in San Antonio, TX.

BRIG. GEN. GAVIN LAWRENCE

Commander, Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Defense Logistics Agency

Brig. Gen. Gavin Lawrence assumed command of the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support on June 25. Under his leadership, DLA Troop Support annually provides more than $17 billion worth of food, clothing and textiles, construction and equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and equipment, as well as industrial repair parts for America’s warfighters and other valued customers worldwide. To accomplish

www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. ARMY

this mission, Lawrence oversees a global workforce of approximately 2,900 civilian and military personnel. Lawrence graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) in 1995 and upon graduation, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps. Lawrence most recently completed a fellowship with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Seminar XXI Program in April. His military education includes the Quartermaster Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captains’ Career Course, U.S. Naval College of Command and Staff, and the U.S. Army War College Advanced Strategic Arts Program. Lawrence’s command assignments include the Headquarters and Distribution Company for 225th Forward Support Battalion, Division Support Command, 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, HI; the 801st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); and the 25th ID Sustainment Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.

BRIG. GEN. DOUGLAS MCARTHER MCBRIDE JR. 55th Quartermaster Commandant

Brig. Gen. Douglas M. McBride, Jr. has served in his current assignment since June 2018. The general earned an ROTC scholarship at Boston’s Northeastern University. There he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and received his commission as a second lieutenant. McBride attended the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, in June of 1989. Upon completion, he received his first assignment as the maintenance platoon leader of Charlie Company, 27th Main Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. While in this assignment, he led his platoon into combat during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In 1999, he attended Command and Staff College at the Naval War College in Newport, RI. Effective July 6, 2006, McBride assumed command of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade Special Troops Battalion (STB), Fort Stewart, GA. He graduated from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL in 2010 and served as the assistant deputy chief of staff, G-4, Army Forces Command, Fort McPherson, GA. He then took command of the 593d Sustainment Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and deployed to Afghanistan as the CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Element. Most recently, he served as the Combined Arms Support

www.blackengineer.com

Command (CASCOM) G-3/5/7.

BRIG. GEN. JONATHAN MCCOLUMN Chief of Sustainment U.S. Army Central Command

Brig. Gen. Jonathan McColumn serves as the chief of sustainment, U.S. Army Central Command. Also, he serves as the senior proponent advisor (SPA) for acquisition, U.S. Army Reserve. Recognized as a distinguished military student and recipient of the General George C. Marshall award, he graduated and was commissioned from Georgia Military College as a second lieutenant. Upon graduating from Georgia College and State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, he entered the U.S. Army. During his 31 years of service, he has served in multiple positions as a logistician and in the Acquisition Corps (contracting). McColumn’s military education includes the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Services and Staff School, Logistics Executive Development Course, the Army War College, George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs—Senior Manager Course in National Security, Senior Acquisition Management Course, and Program for Executives in Logistics and Technology. He is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps, Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA), Level III Certified in contracting/procurement, and Level I Certified in program management. He has completed master’s degrees in business administration, education, and strategic studies. Also, he attended the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

BRIG. GEN. STEPHEN MICHAEL

Deputy General Deputy Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center - Training

Brig. Gen. Steve Michael began his career at Fort Drum as a rifle platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, company executive officer, and then as the Battalion S-4 in 2nd Battalion 87th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Immediately after the Career Course, he served as the Battalion S-3 for the Columbus Recruiting Battalion in Columbus, OH. Next, he served as the Battalion S-4 and Charlie Company commander for 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He then served as the

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S.ARMY

S-3 for 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade. Later, he commanded 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment at Fort Carson, and 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light) at Fort Drum. Afterward, Michael served as the deputy director for the Pakistan Afghanistan and Transregional Threats Coordination Cell on the Joint Staff, J-5 (the PACC and T2C2). Most recently, Michael served as the deputy commanding general, operations, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, HI. He was born in Guyana in 1964, immigrated to the United States in 1979, and was commissioned into the infantry in 1988. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

BRIG. GEN. JAMES MOORE

Chief of Staff, Installation Management Command (IMCOM)

Brig. Gen. James S. Moore has served as the chief of staff, Installation Management Command (IMCOM) since July. Moore has commanded at all levels and has held numerous staff positions throughout his career. He previously served as commanding general, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. Moore is a native of Philadelphia, PA, and a distinguished military graduate of Virginia State University. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business information systems in 1989. Later, he earned a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University and a master’s degree in joint campaign planning and strategy. His military education includes the Joint Advanced Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA; the Command and General Staff College; and the Quartermaster Officers Basic and Advanced courses.

BRIG. GEN. BERTRAM PROVIDENCE, MD Commanding General Regional Health Command-Pacific

Brig. Gen. Bertram Providence has served as commanding general of the Regional Health Command—Pacific at Joint Base LewisMcChord, WA, since 2016. Before that, he has served as command surgeon, U.S. Army Pacific, and senior market manager, Hawaii Enhanced Multi-Service Market,

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Honolulu, HI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Saint John’s University in Queens, NY, graduating magna cum laude. A distinguished military graduate, Providence was commissioned through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. He holds a medical degree from the Uniformed Services University, a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on healthcare from the George Washington University School of Business, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, is board certified in adult reconstruction orthopedics, and holds a certificate of added qualification in sports medicine from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons. He completed a fellowship in lower extremity reconstruction (hip and knee arthroplasty) at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, CA.

BRIG. GEN. JAMES M. SMITH Commanding General 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

Brig. Gen. James Smith commands and controls multiple sustainment organizations, and provides planning, guidance, and sustainment oversight in support of XVIII Airborne Corps divisions and separate brigades. He ensures sustainment units at various echelons maintain a high state of readiness, which enable expeditionary support to the warfighter during large scale combat operations. Smith received his commission in 1992 from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA with a B.S. in business administration (concentration in accounting). He also holds several master’s degrees: M.B.A. degree from Webster University and an M.S. in logistics management from Florida Institute of Technology. Smith’s assignments include commands at both brigade and battalion levels as well as deployments to both Kuwait and Iraq.

BRIG. GEN. MICHAEL J. TALLEY

Commanding General U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command and Fort Detrick, MD

Brig. Gen. Michael Talley is the commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command & Fort Detrick. He served in the enlisted ranks from 1983–1989; graduated with honors from the University of Texas at El Paso and

www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. ARMY

commissioned as a distinguished military graduate in 1991. He was previously assigned as the Army Forces command surgeon and has commanded at every level from company through brigade. He served two OIF combat tours and deployment to Saudi Arabia. He has also held key leadership positions at both combat training centers, Army Special Operations Command, DLA, and the office of the surgeon general. Talley is a graduate of the Army Command & General Staff College, Advanced Military Studies Program, and the Army War College. He holds two Master of Military Arts & Sciences degrees, a Master of Strategic Studies, and a Master of Health Services Management.

BRIG. GEN. FLETCHER WASHINGTON

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, J5 Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Strategic Plans and Policy

Brig. Gen. Fletcher Washington has served as J-5 mobilization assistant to the director of strategic plans and policy at the U.S. Pacific Command since January. Before that, he was the deputy commanding general, 80th Training Command. He served four years enlisted as a combat engineer before graduating cum laude from Norfolk State University in 1992 as a distinguished military draduate in transportation. He also graduated from Florida Tech in 2000 and National Defense University with a second master’s degree in 2010. He has served as platoon leader and detachment commander in Mannheim, Frankfurt, and Hanau, Germany; battalion operations and company commander at Fort Story, VA; combat developer at Fort Lee, VA; deputy operations chief in Kuwait; brigade operations at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico and Baghdad, Iraq; force management division chief in Arlington, VA; battalion commander at Fort Shafter, HI; congressional operations division chief and force management chief of staff in the Pentagon; brigade commander in El Paso, TX; garrison commander in Kandahar, Afghanistan; and mission support element commander at Fort Sam in Houston, TX.

BRIG. GEN. (P) DAVID WILSON Director, United States Forces Korea

Brig. Gen. (promotable) David Wilson is a distinguished military graduate of The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina, and was commissioned in the field artillery in 1991. Assignment highlights include director, United States Forces Korea

www.blackengineer.com

J-4; deputy, Combined forces Command C4; United Nations Command U4; 40th chief of ordnance and commandant, U.S. Army Ordnance School; executive officer, Army Materiel Command commanding general; brigade commander, 406th Army Field Support Brigade; battalion commander, 121st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division. Operational deployments include Operation Restore/Continue Hope, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Desert Thunder, and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF I & IV). In addition to his Bachelor of Science degree from The Citadel, he also holds a Master of Science degree in general administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science degree in national resource strategy from the National Defense University.

BRIG. GEN TWANDA “TIA” E. YOUNG Deputy Command General, Human Resources Command Director, Reserve Personnel Management Directorate, Human Resources Command

Brig. Gen. Twanda Young assists the Human Resources Command commanding general in the execution of a full spectrum of human resource programs and systems to promote Army readiness, develop leaders, and sustain the well-being of soldiers, veterans, and their families. Young is a native of Darlington, SC. She graduated from Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC in 1989, and received her commission as a second lieutenant in the Adjutant General’s Corps. Over Young’s 30-year career, she held numerous leadership assignments and commanded at the battalion, brigade, joint task force, and strategic command levels. She commanded the Continental United States (CONUS) Replacement Center Battalion in Fort Benning, GA, and the Army Reserve Theater Support Group in Fort Shafter, HI. Before assuming her current position, Young was the U.S. Army Reserve G-1 responsible for military personnel management, personnel policy development, and personnel strength accounting and readiness of the Army Reserves. Additionally, she had the opportunity to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where she served as the CJ1 chief of the Strategic Initiatives Group.

PUBLISHER’S

RECOMMENDATION • READ MORE GREAT STORIES

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES ARMY HERE •

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S.AIR FORCE

GEN. CHARLES Q. BROWN JR.

Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Air Component Commander for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii

Gen. Charles Brown is the commander, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Air Component commander for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and executive director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harborâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Hickam, HI. PACAF is responsible for Air Force activities in a command that supports 46,000 airmen serving principally in Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam. Brown was commissioned in 1984 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at Texas Tech University. He has served in a variety of positions at the squadron and wing level, including an assignment to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School as an F-16 instructor. His notable staff tours include aide-de-camp to the chief of staff of the Air Force, director, secretary of the Air Force and chief of staff Executive Action Group; and deputy director, Operations Directorate, U.S. Central Command. He also served as a national defense fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, VA. Brown has commanded a fighter squadron, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, two fighter wings, and U.S. Air Forces Central Command. Before his current assignment, he served as the deputy commander, U.S. Central Command. The general is a command pilot with more than 2,900 flying hours, including 130 combat hours.

LT. GEN. RICHARD M. CLARK

Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration Headquarters U.S. Air Force,

Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark is deputy chief of staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Arlington, VA. Clark is responsible to the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force for focus on nuclear deterrence operations. He provides direction, guidance, integration, and advocacy regarding the nuclear deterrence mission

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

of the U.S. Air Force and engages with joint and interagency partners for nuclear enterprise solutions. Clark graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1986. His commands include the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD, 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph Air Force Base, TX, 8th Air Force, and Joint Functional Component Commander for Global Strike, Offutt Air Force Base, NE. He has also served as the vice commander, 8th Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, and commandant of cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. Before his current assignment, he served as the commander, 3rd Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

LT. GEN. ANTHONY J. COTTON Commander and President, Air University Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

Lt. Gen. Anthony Cotton is commander and president, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. He provides education, research, and outreach at every level through professional military education, continuing professional education, and academic degree-granting. He leads the intellectual and leadership center of the U.S. Air Force, graduating more than 50,000 resident and 120,000 non-resident officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel each year. Additionally, he is responsible for officer commissioning through Officer Training School and the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Cotton entered the Air Force through the ROTC program in 1986, where he earned a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in political science from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. He served as deputy director of the secretary and chief of staff to the Air Force Executive Action Group, as senior military assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, and deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office. He was also the vice commander and commander of the 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT, and the commander of the 45th Space Wing and director of the Eastern Range, Patrick Air Force Base, FL. Before his current assignment, Cotton served as the commander, Twentieth Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, WY.

MA J. GEN. (DR.) ROOSEVELT ALLEN Director, Medical Operations and Research, and Chief of the Dental Corps

Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Roosevelt Allen is the director, Medical Operations and Research, and chief of the Dental Corps, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Falls Church, VA. As director of medical operations and research, he is responsible for executing health care policy in support of 44,000 personnel and 75 medical treatment facilities with a budget of

www.blackengineer.com

Tomorrow’s Battle

WON TODAY

THE ARMY FUTURES COMMAND INITIATES MODERNIZATION STRATEGIES FOR COMBAT › What specific modernization will the AFC focus on? The genesis of AFC stems from the Army recognizing technological gaps between our forces and our near-peer adversaries. Considering the speed of innovation in various technology fields, the Army realized our traditional methods of requirements development and acquisition of technology were insufficient.

The 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) states that we must prioritize longterm strategic competition with China and Russia while deterring regional adversaries and sustaining irregular warfare competency. Political, economic, social, and technological changes will continue to create challenges and opportunities for the U.S. Army as we maintain our land dominance. Future warfare will only expand in geographic scale, domains, and types of actors while decision cycles and reaction times compress. Commanding General John M. Murray, U.S. Army

21st-century modernization is key in any professional infrastructure, but it is especially important for success in the military and armed forces. Established in 2018, the United States Army Futures Command hails as the most significant transformation of Army modernization since 1973. With 23 locations across the United States and its headquarters in Austin, Texas, the Command is set to develop and deliver 31 signature systems across six modernization priorities to foster technological advancement in combat preparation and capabilities. Commanding General John M. Murray spoke with US Black Engineer and Information Technology Magazine and explained the mission, vision and future of the Army Futures Command.

› What is the Army Futures Command, and why was it created? Army Futures Command, or AFC, leads the Army’s future force modernization enterprise. AFC assesses and integrates the future operational environment, emerging threats, and technologies to develop and deliver concepts, requirements, future force designs, and supports the delivery of modernization solutions. The establishment of AFC marked the most significant Army reorganization effort since 1973, when the Army’s Forces Command and Training and Doctrine Command were established. The Army succeeded the day it admitted it had a problem keeping pace with current technologies and Army Futures Command is now serving as a model for the rest of the Department of Defense. Army Futures Command establishes unity of command and effort by orchestrating the modernization enterprise.

Everything we do is based on the U.S. Army in Multi-Domain Operations 2028, or MDO 2028. This articulates how Army forces, as part of the Joint Force, will compete with and, if necessary, defeat a near-peer adversary as tasked in the National Security Strategy and the National Defense Strategy. To accomplish MDO 2028, the Army established six modernization priorities, which are necessary for future readiness. Those priorities are: (1) Long-Range Precision Fires (2) Next-Generation Combat Vehicles (3) Future Vertical Lift (4) Army Network (5) Air and Missile Defense and (6) Soldier Lethality. These are the focus of our eight Cross Functional Teams, which we call CFTs. They are organized as: Long Range Precision Fires; Next Generation Combat Vehicle; Future Vertical Lift; Army Network; Air and Missile Defense; Soldier Lethality; Assured Positioning Navigation Timing; and, Synthetic Training Environment; Air & Missile Defense; and Soldier Lethality. We also activated the Artificial Intelligence Task Force (AI Task

ADVERTISEMENT Force) and Army Applications Lab (AAL) to support AFC efforts. CFTs develop requirements, informed by experimentation and technical demonstrations, to enable the development of capability documents and improve the decision making for a potential program of record within the Army Acquisition System. Army Futures Command also has a Combat Systems Directorate which is led by an Army acquisition officer who serves as the focal point for integration and synchronization with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) and the 12 Program Executive Offices (PEOs). The Combat Systems Directorate supports the facilitation of the Army modernization enterprise’s efforts to refine, engineer, integrate, and produce developed solutions to meet identified requirements by maintaining oversight of the cost, schedule, integration, and technical performance of all programs aligned within and between the Cross Functional Team efforts. AFC and ASA(ALT) are mutually committed to providing soldiers with what they need, when they need it, to win on future battlefields. › What are the most significant achievements of the AFC so far? Within a year standing up, Army Futures Command has become fully operational and has grown to a strength of about 26,000 employees around the world with a list of accomplishments that are proving the AFC concept daily. We’re building the foundation necessary to modernize the Army at record pace to provide warfighters what they’ll need to dominate a future battlefield. We’ve established the Combat Systems Directorate to assist in bridging the “Valley of Death.” We’ve announced strategic partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Texas System, and the Texas A&M University System, as well as successfully fielded Enhanced Night Vision GooglesBinoculars, or ENGV-Bs. The ENGV-B fielding speaks to the success of AFC’s Cross Functional Team concept that has facilitated cooperative relationships between the Soldier Lethality CFT, PEO Soldier, ASA(ALT) and our industry partners, keeping Soldiers the centerpiece of everything we do. As part of this process, we conducted regular iterative user evaluations, called Soldier touch points.

STPs are used to develop next generation tools and weapons our Soldiers need to achieve and sustain overmatch against our adversaries. We leverage a concept we call “Soldier Centered Design” along with commercial innovation and emerging technologies to move faster and make wise choices in design and development and to save time, money and lives. › In the promotional “Victory is Earned” video on the AFC website, there is a statement that says, “the nature of war is never going to change, but the character of war is changing before our eyes.” How will the AFC impact the “character of war,” and what will that mean for warfighters and other military personnel? Change is being driven by the rate of innovation and rapid acquisition of technology. Understanding that and taking advantage of it to move at the “speed of relevance” is how we will impact it. › Technology and innovation evolve by the moment in this era of change. Realistically, how will the AFC “innovate at the speed of change,” as mentioned in the “Victory is Earned” video? We certainly won’t do it ourselves! Innovation is much more than material – its concepts informing our technology needs and vice versa; Soldier Centered Design; experimentation with both material and organizations; and early prototypes. All of these contribute to the collaborative efforts that are critical to the success we achieve with the support of our partners – from small business to industry to academia. Our Army Applications Lab was stood up within the defense innovation ecosystem located at the Capital Factory, in Austin, Texas. AFC established the University Technology Development Division, which serves as the primary link from the headquarters into academic partnership efforts and demonstrates how AFC is committed to partnering with academia to find solutions to modernization challenges, both now and into the future. › What type of STEM Opportunities will be available for present and incoming military personnel with respect to this transformation and modernization? What skills will be necessary as this future Army grows? AFC has several talent management initiatives in place already and is working on a STEM intern placement program,

fellowship opportunities through university and senior service college, as well as continued engagement with university engineering departments. The future Army will need education and expertise in data sciences. Our Soldiers will also be able to support the AFC CFTs who are working with experts in defense, traditional and not-traditional industry, and academia, to develop requirements through Soldier-centered design. This process improves the integration of concepts, requirements, science and technology, engineering, experimentation and acquisitions functions. It ensures the focus is on faster innovation, more experimentation and real demonstrations. By enabling rapid prototyping – if failures are going to occur, we want fail early and learn from it, then increase learning with improved operational inputs. › How, if in any way, is the AFC addressing diversity initiatives as it looks forward to Army modernization? The Army is all about people; from recruiting volunteers who represent the society we serve, to training and developing them as Army professional, and retraining them as Soldiers for Life who inspire the next generation. We know providing the best quality of life and caring for our Soldiers, Civilians and their Families are essential to recruiting, retention, and readiness. The Army is comprised of cohesive, professional teams that are highly trained, disciplined, fit, and who can win on any battlefield. › What is your personal hope and vision for the Army Futures Command moving forward? My goal is to set the foundation necessary to modernize the nation’s military at a record past to provide our warfighters what they’ll need to dominate any future battlefield. My vision? On that future battlefield, I want the young company commanders to look back to 2018 and thank the Army’s Leadership for having the courage to reorganize the Army and stand up Army Futures Command. These commanders’ Soldiers will be properly equipped to decisively engage their enemies and achieve victory in a short, sharp, joint campaign. They will be thankful to have had the tools necessary to dominate in the unforgiving crucible of ground combat and bring every last Soldier home to the Families trusting us with the lives of their sons and daughters.

Gen. Michael X. Garrett, 23rd Commander of United States Army Forces Command

Leading the Army’s Largest Organization Gen. Michael X. Garrett follows in Gen. Colin Powell’s and Gen. Larry Ellis’ footsteps by Gale Horton Gay editors@ccgmag.com

Gen. Michael X. Garrett’s military responsibilities are formidable. He’s the leader of the largest organization in the United States Army and commands 215,000 active duty soldiers and 190,000 Army reservists, while providing training and readiness oversight of U.S. Army National Guard. Garrett assumed duties as the 23rd Commander of United States Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in March 2019. In total, the Forces Command team includes 745,000 soldiers and 96,000 civilians. He is the third African American to hold this post. U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology Magazine asked Gen. Garrett to share the role of the U.S. Army Forces Command, his leadership of it, diversity and his vision for its future. We also asked about his military career and his advice about leadership.

My vision is to make the Army better each and every day. A. My last two positions were at U.S. Central Command and U.S. Army Central, so I have spent the last six years as an end-user of FORSCOM soldiers and units. FORSCOM soldiers and our units are well-trained, well-equipped and well-led. From the past seven months here, I know first-hand the great work that FORSCOM does every day. Q. How did you start your Army career?

Q. What is the U.S. Army Forces Command? A. U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) is the largest command in the U.S. Army with almost 750,000 soldiers and serves as the Army’s force provider to combatant commanders worldwide. Q. What is the purpose of this Command? A. Forces Command trains, mobilizes, deploys, sustains, transforms and reconstitutes conventional forces, providing relevant and ready land power in defense of the nation, both at home and abroad. Simultaneously, we are setting the conditions to posture the total Army for modernization in 2022. Q. What does it mean to you to be in your current position, following in the footsteps of Gen. Colin Powell and Gen. Larry Ellis? A. America’s Army remains highly capable and mission ready by leveraging the strengths of a diverse, all-volunteer force—that includes more than 103,000 African-American soldiers. Forces Command is part of our highly diverse Army – including two previous AfricanAmerican generals who commanded FORSCOM: General Colin L. Powell in 1989 and General Larry R. Ellis in 2001-2004. These two men are incredible leaders and people who I have a great deal of admiration for. It is an absolute honor to follow in their footsteps. Q. What does it take to lead such a large group of people?

A. I am the son of great parents. My dad, Ed Garrett, was a soldier. He was a command sergeant major in the United States Army, and my sisters and I grew up around the Army. My dad set for me the example of what a leader is supposed to be and was my inspiration to serve. Like most sons, I have proudly spent my life living up to his example and high expectations. Q. What are your tips for leadership? A. My tips on leadership are simple. Never walk past trash, literally or metaphorically. Don’t be a hypocrite. In other words, don’t expect your subordinates to do that which you do not do yourself. Always lead from the front. One thing I’ve learned over the years is, never underestimate the power of your own example. Giving back is also important. In my current capacity, I have far more ability to mentor, influence and lead. Leading a portion of the Army family is very much about setting a positive personal example, and then interacting every day with the people you lead to better understand their concerns, their ideas and their experiences. Q. What is your vision for the future as the commander? A. My vision is to make the Army better each and every day. FORSCOM’s mission is to provide combat-ready and globally responsive Total Army Forces that are well led, disciplined, trained, and expeditionary… ready now to deploy and win in a complex world. To achieve this, I have six major priorities: 1.

Maximize Unit Readiness: Focus leadership, training and resources on improving unit combat readiness to meet Combatant Command demand

and contingency requirements. 2. Operationalize Army Total Force Policy: Take actions to advance and instill one standard of manning, equipping and training to build decisive action readiness across the Total Force. 3. Master the Fundamentals: At all echelons, codify and enforce standards and warfighting doctrine to ensure every soldier, leader and unit is resourced and ready to win in combat. 4. Strengthen Leader Development: Develop agile, adaptive leaders of character through Army development programs and tough/ realistic training. 5. Care for Soldiers, Civilians and Families: Enhance individual performance and resilience foundational to building unit readiness by improving unit, community and institutional focus upon the health of the force and families. 6. Inform the Future Force: Leverage our role as the Secretary of the Army’s conventional Service Force Provider and largest operating force command to shape development of the future force. Q. Will there be any special efforts toward diversity under your command? A. Forces Command has both an active Equal Opportunity program for soldiers and an Equal Employment Opportunity program for our Army civilian employees. Army leaders foster and sustain a culture where all soldiers are able to have viable military careers and educational opportunities to reach their full potential. This strengthens our Army. The different ethnicities, attributes, experiences and backgrounds, including education, of our soldiers and civilians’ fuel their honor and pride for service within the Army profession as well as the ability to employ unique skills to help accomplish the mission. All Army personnel and their families are valued members of the Army team and their contributions continue to be vital to our success and history, while building America’s future.

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. AIR FORCE

more than $6.4 billion. Dr. Allen ensures a quality, cost-effective, preventative-based health care continuum for 2.6 million beneficiaries worldwide. He is also responsible for providing strategic guidance for the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) research and acquisitions, translating the Air Force surgeon general vision into initiatives addressing and closing AFMS capability gaps. He provides direct oversight for the programming, planning, budgeting, and execution of the AFMS Medical Modernization portfolio comprising $68.3 million in operations and maintenance; $44.7 million in annual research, development, test, and evaluation funding; and 482 military and civilian positions. As chief of the Dental Corps, Dr. Allen provides policy and operational advice to the Air Force surgeon general on matters involving the dental practice of 1,000 dentists and 2,500 technicians. Before this assignment, Dr. Allen served as the commander, 79th Medical Wing, Joint Base Andrews, MD.

MA J. GEN. CEDRIC D. GEORGE

Director of Logistics, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection, U.S. Air Force Headquarters

Maj. Gen. Cedric D. George is the director of logistics, deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering, and force protection, U.S. Air Force Headquarters, Arlington, VA. He is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping more than 180,000 technicians and managers, maintaining the aerospace weapons system inventory. He provides strategic guidance for materiel and equipment management, fuels, vehicle management and operations, distribution, personal property, and passenger traffic management. George develops logistics readiness, maintenance, and munitions policy, ensuring the readiness of the single largest element of workforce supporting Air Force combat forces globally. George is a 1987 graduate of the ROTC program at Norwich University. He is a fully qualified maintenance officer and has held key maintenance leadership positions at the wing, major command, and Air Staff levels. His commands include 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 35th Maintenance Group, 11th Wing, 76th Maintenance Wing, and the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex. He is also a Level III senior acquisition professional with a wide array of leadership experiences in Air Force and joint programs. Before his current position, he was the

www.blackengineer.com

deputy director, resource integration, deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering, and force protection, U.S. Air Force Headquarters.

MA J. GEN. STACEY T. HAWKINS

Director of Logistics, Civil Engineering, Force Protection, and Nuclear Integration Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command

Maj. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins is the director of logistics, civil engineering, force protection, and nuclear integration, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. He directs policy and procedures for field and depot-level aircraft and commodities maintenance, nuclear weapon systems sustainment, software engineering, conventional munitions, logistics plans, transportation, supply chain operations and management, civil engineering, force protection, and logistics information technology activities. He is the lead command integrator for lifecycle sustainment, product support, and acquisition logistics across the Air Force weapon systems portfolio. Hawkins received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, in 1991. He has commanded at the squadron, expeditionary group, air base wing (installation), and air logistics complex levels. He also led deployed combat logistics operations throughout Southwest Asia, the Horn of Africa, and on the Korean Peninsula. Hawkins served as a White House Fellow, an aircraft maintenance officer for the U.S. Air Force â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thunderbirds,â&#x20AC;? and a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guardsman. His staff assignments include service at the Pentagon, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, and the White House as a special advisor for defense policy and intelligence programs to the vice president. Before his current assignment, Hawkins was commander, Ogden Air Logistics Complex, Hill Air Force Base, UT.

MA JOR GENER AL BRIAN S. ROBINSON Director of Operations Headquarters U.S. Transportation Command

Maj. Gen. Brian Robinson is the director of operations, Headquarters U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, IL. He is responsible for directing the all-domain deployment of forces and the distribution of supplies and equipment for humanitarian, peacetime,

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. AIR FORCE

and wartime operations for the Department of Defense, including joint training, exercises, and war planning. Also, he is responsible for force protection for USTRANSCOM and its components and has operational control of the Joint Cyber Center, Defense Courier Service, and the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center. He also provides associated policy guidance. Robinson is a native of Philadelphia, PA, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Philadelphia University in 1987. Later that year, he received his commission from Air Force Officer Training School. He attended undergraduate pilot training and later served as a T-38B first assignment instructor pilot before moving on to a series of operational assignments in the C-130 E/H/J and the C-17A, representing the full range of tactical and strategic airlift and aerial delivery. He commanded a C-17A airlift squadron and a deployed expeditionary airlift squadron. He has also held staff assignments at Joint Staff, Headquarters Air Force Staff, Air Mobility Command, and the U.S. Air Forces Central 609th Combined Air Operations Center.

MA J. GEN. CURTIS WILLIAMS

Deputy Director for Political-Military Affairs Africa for Strategic Plans and Policy, the Joint Staff

Maj. Gen. Curtis Williams currently serves as the deputy director for PoliticalMilitary Affairs Africa for Strategic Plans and Policy, the Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA. He provides strategic direction, policy guidance, and planning focus to develop and execute the national military strategy. Through the director for strategic plans and policy, he enables the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to provide military advice to the president, the secretary of defense, and the National Security Council. The general enlisted under the delayed enlistment program at 17 and spent over seven years on active duty. He left active duty in 1984 and entered the ROTC program at Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in 1986 and re-entered active duty as a logistics plans officer, where he subsequently held numerous squadron- and winglevel plans officer positions. Williams transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1992. He is an Air Reserve technician and has held leadership and command positions at the squadron, wing, numbered Air Force, major command, and joint staff levels. Before his current position, Williams served as the director of logistics, engineering, and force protection, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command.

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

BRIG. GEN. TROY E. DUNN

Director of Military Force Management Policy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services Headquarters, U.S. Air Force

Brig. Gen. Troy Dunn is the director of Military Force Management Policy, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. The directorate is responsible for establishing military force management policies for more than 500,000 Total Force military personnel. These policies guide the accession, assignment, evaluation, skills analysis and management, promotion, readiness, retraining, retention, separation, and retirement of the Air Forceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s human capital. The office also oversees aspects of Total Force contingency, mobilization, training, and rated force management policy. Dunn commissioned from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1993 with a degree in political science. He has held several leadership, staff, and command positions at the base, major command, Air Staff and Joint Staff levels. Dunn served as an aide-de-camp to the commanders of the U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command. He was selected as a congressional fellow in the office of senator Trent Lott and as a distinguished member of the national security team in the office of the U.S. Senate minority whip. His command tours include squadron, group, and the airbase wing at the Air Force Academy.

BRIG. GEN. TRENT EDWARDS

Director, Budget Operations and Personnel, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller

Brig. Gen. Trent Edwards is director, budget operations and personnel, office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA. Edwards is responsible for planning and directing execution of the Air Forceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operation and maintenance, as well as military personnel budgets totaling more than $68.4 billion for baseline funding and $11.2 billion for overseas contingency operations annually. He leads a staff of 57 military and civilian budget professionals who develop, integrate, and justify readiness and personnel budgets for the Air Force, and defend Air Force budget requirements as they are addressed by the office of the secretary of www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. AIR FORCE

defense, the office of management and budget, and Congress. Once appropriations are enacted, he is responsible for overseeing the execution of the financial resources necessary to operate 79 Air Force installations worldwide and pay 325,100 active Air Force personnel.

operations for the U.S. and its allies. In addition to its global responsibilities, the wing hosts more than 95 tenant organizations and over 14,000 people on the installation. Miller entered the Air Force in 1993 and is a graduate of Lafayette College in Easton, PA.

BRIG. GEN. FARRIS HILL

BRIG. GEN. R ANDALL REED

Brig. Gen. Farris “Carlos” Hill is the mobilization assistant to the director, legislative liaison, office of the secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon. The directorate is the liaison between the Air Force and Congress on all programs, air and space weapons systems, and issues such as legislative and constituent inquiries. Hill collaborates directly with the House of Representatives and Senate to ensure full authorization of the Air Force’s $145 billion annual budget. He also prepares the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force for engagements and testimonies on Capitol Hill. Hill received his commission into the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in 1986. Before assuming his current role, Hill was the director of policy integration, Office of the Air Force Reserve, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Reed graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989. He commanded a wing, two expeditionary operations groups, and a flying training squadron. Additionally, he held a variety of joint, wing, and Major Command Headquarters positions, including assignments in strategic airlift, maintenance, special operations air refueling, and the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Light Fighter Air Assault School and is a command pilot with more than 3,500 hours in the C-141B, KC-135R/T, B-1B, RC-135V/W, E-8C, C-130, C-5A, and C-5M aircraft. Before his current assignment, he served as deputy director of strategic plans, requirements, and programs, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, IL.

Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Legislative Liaison Office of the Secretary of the Air Force

Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché Ankara, Turkey

BRIG. GEN. DAVID N. MILLER

Director of Plans, Programs and Financial Management Headquarters Air Force Space Command

Brig. Gen. David Miller is the director of plans, programs and financial management, Headquarters Air Force Space Command. As the command’s chief financial officer, planner, and programmer, he is responsible for a $10 billion operation & maintenance, and Investment budget that provides agile, integrated, and resilient space and cyberspace capabilities for the joint force and the nation. His 120-person team provides resource planning, programming, and budget execution; develops the Space Program Objective Memorandum; and provides financial planning, accounting, and audit services, for over 30,000 space personnel. He is also responsible for overseeing the planning, programming, and budget execution for the Command’s Special Access Program and security activities. Before his current position, he was the commander of the 460th Space Wing, Buckley Air Force Base, CO. The wing ensures combat-ready airmen provide warning, surveillance, and installation

www.blackengineer.com

Air Force ROTC is offered at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. (Source: afrotc.com)

PUBLISHER’S

RECOMMENDATION • READ MORE GREAT STORIES

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE HERE •

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. NAVY

REAR ADM. KENNETH W. EPPS

Deputy Chief of Staff for Fleet Ordnance and Supply/Fleet Supply Officer, N41 U.S. Fleet Forces Command

Rear Adm. Kenneth Epps is a 1990 graduate of Vanderbilt University and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was the recipient of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Award for Excellence. He is a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and completed the Executive Program in Strategy and Organization at Stanford University. His operational assignments include tours on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). His onshore assignments include instructor and educational counselor, Navy Supply Corps School; aide and flag lieutenant to the commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and Chief of Supply Corps; readiness analyst and POM development assistant, office of the chief of Naval Operations (N80); action officer, Defense Logistics Agency (J-33); director, materiel budgets, Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia, PA; assistant commander for financial management and comptroller, Naval Supply Systems Command; chief, Strategy and Readiness Division, Joint Staff (J-4); commanding officer, Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor; assistant commander for operations and warfare engagement, Naval Supply Systems Command; and assistant professor, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.

REAR ADM. STEPHEN C. EVANS

Deputy U.S. Military Representative to NATO Military Committee

In September, Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans assumed the role of U.S. deputy military representative to the NATO Military Committee, whose mission supports cooperative security, crisis management, and commitment to

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

the collective defense of the most diverse, powerful, and longest-living military alliance in history. He is a 1986 graduate of The Citadel with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He holds a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. He is also a 2014-2015 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Seminar XXI Fellow and attended the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program. He most recently served as commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2. He made numerous deployments to the Arabian Gulf, Mediterranean, North Atlantic, and Western Pacific areas of operation, earning the Battle Excellence Award in every ship assigned. Ashore, he served as chief of special operations command support, lieutenant commander detailer, then deputy director, Surface Warfare Officer Distribution Directorate, Navy Personnel Command; section head for land attack/ strike and anti-surface warfare programs and led the requirements analysis effort for the Next Generation Cruiser CG(X), office of the chief of Naval Operations N86; director, Professional Development Division and chairman of the Admissions Board, U.S. Naval Academy; and commander, Naval Service Training Command.

REAR ADM. KEITH M. JONES Deputy Commander Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP)

Rear Adm. Keith Jones is a qualified Expeditionary Supply Corps officer and Seabee combat warfare officer. He is assigned as the deputy commander, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), with oversight of active, reserve, civilian, and contractor teams supporting fleet logistics around the globe. His previous flag assignments were commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, and reserve director, logistics programs and business operations, N41, office of the chief of Naval Operations. Jones was commissioned through Officer Candidate School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, and a Master of Business Administration degree in management from California State University Bakersfield. He served on active duty aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and has held command of Navy Overseas Air Cargo Terminal E208, Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 6, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk Det. 206, Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic Supply 1086, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Operations Teamâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Atlanta, GA, and U.S. Pacific Fleet Logistics Readiness Center Headquarters 120.

www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. NAVY

REAR ADMIR AL ALVIN HOLSEY Commander Carrier Strike Group One

Rear Adm. Alvin Holsey became commander, Carrier Strike Group One, June 12, 2018. He previously served as deputy director for operations, National Military Commanded Center, Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has served in a variety of training and operational squadrons and commanded Helicopter AntiSubmarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37 and the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island. Assignments to shore and staff billets have included operations officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-3, Joint Operations Directorate, European Command, and executive assistant to the chief of Naval Operations. Holsey was commissioned through the NROTC program at Morehouse College in 1988, where he received a degree in computer science. He earned a Master of Science degree in management from Troy State University in 1995 and attended the Joint Forces Staff College in 2010.

REAR ADM. CEDRIC PRINGLE Commander Expeditionary Strike Group 3

Rear Adm. Cedric Pringle assumed duties as commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3, in December 2017. A native of Sumter, SC, he graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and received his commission via NROTC from the University of South Carolina. At sea, he served on USS Ranger and USS Portland. Other sea tours include USS Fort McHenry. He served as commanding officer, USS Whidbey Island, from July 2004 to February 2006. In 2012, he took command of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island. During his tour, the crew won numerous retention excellence and public affairs awards. Pringle also earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition of the ship’s outreach with two local schools.

REAR ADMIR AL JESSE ALPHONSO WILSON JR. Rear Adm. Jesse Alphonso Wilson served as commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic until August 9. He was responsible for ensuring the Atlantic Force is manned, trained, equipped, and ready to fight and win. Prior to that, his most recent assignment was the director of

www.blackengineer.com

Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization (JIAMDO), Joint Staff, J8, where he led JIAMDO in planning, coordinating, and overseeing joint air and missile defense (AMD) requirements, operational concepts, and operational architectures. He was also the U.S. head of delegation to NATO’s Air and Missile Defense Committee, helping develop and steer Alliance policy. He assumed these duties on June 27, 2014. Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the United States Naval Academy in 1986. He also earned a Master of Science in operations research from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, (1991) and a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in 2001. Wilson was also a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow[1] in 2007–08, and he is a graduate of the Navy Corporate Business Course at UVA-Darden.

The U.S. Navy has 290 deployable combat vessels and more than 3,700 operational aircraft, making it the thirdlargest air force in the world, after the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army.

PUBLISHER’S

RECOMMENDATION • READ MORE GREAT STORIES

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES NAVY HERE •

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. MARINE CORPS

MA J. GEN. MICHAEL E. LANGLEY Director, J-5, U. S. Central Command

Maj. Gen. Michael Langley attended the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in information systems analysis. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1985. Langley’s command and IOC billets include guns platoon commander, Battery H, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines; 12th Marine Regiment; 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command— Central, ISAF, Afghanistan; OIC Special Operations Training Group, III MEF; assistant division commander, 3d Marine Division; Regional Support Command— Southwest, ISAF, Afghanistan; ANA 215th Corps Advisor Team OIC, RC Southwest, ISAF, Afghanistan; deputy commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force; and commanding general, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Langley’s staff assignments include division officer, Marine Corps Institute, Marine Barracks, 8th and I, Washington, D.C.; action officer, Policy Division, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5); Iraq desk officer, Joint Staff Response Cell, J-3 Operations Directorate; deputy executive assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; deputy director for operations, J-3, Joint Staff; assistant deputy commandant, programs and resources (programs), Marine Corps Headquarters. Langley has attended The Basic School; Officer Basic Artillery School; Amphibious Warfare School; Command and Staff Course, Naval War College, Newport, RI; and Army War College, Carlisle, PA.

BRIG. GEN. MELVIN G. CARTER Director of Intelligence Headquarters Marine Corps

Brig. Gen. Melvin G. Carter (Jerry) serves as director of intelligence, Marine Corps Headquarters. Before his current assignment, Carter served as the director of intelligence for the Joint Special Operation Command (2018–2019). He is a distinguished graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in banking and finance. A native of York, PA, Carter enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1985, where he

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

served as a radio reconnaissance special intelligence communicator with 1st Radio Battalion before earning a commission as a second lieutenant. After graduating from The Basic School in 1993, Carter was awarded the Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Military Occupational Specialty before becoming a Marine Air-Ground Task Force intelligence officer. During his military career, Carter served in a variety of staff positions including the S-3A, 2d Radio Battalion, II Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, the S-2A, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operation Capable), and the G-2 Plans, I Marine Expeditionary Force. Additional assignments include duty as an executive assistant for the associate director for military affairs, CIA. Carter’s principal command tours include commanding officer, 2d Radio Battalion and commanding officer, Marine Corps Intelligence Activity.

BRIG. GEN. BRIAN W. CAVANAUGH Assistant Deputy Commandant for P&R (Programs)

Brig. Gen. Brian W. Cavanaugh was designated a naval aviator in 1992. From 1993–1997, Cavanaugh was assigned to HMH462 and completed Unit Deployment Program (UDP) tours while serving with the 31st MEU (SOC) conducting shipboard operations throughout the Pacific. He served in the maintenance department and later as the logistics, intelligence, and operations officer. From 1998–2001, Cavanaugh was assigned to HMH-362, where he served as the aircraft maintenance officer (AMO) and as the director for safety and standardization. After his tour with the Ugly Angels, Cavanaugh was assigned to HMX-1 in Quantico, VA, where he served as the quality assurance officer and as the AMO for the Greenside Maintenance Department. From 2006–2008, Cavanaugh commanded the Ugly Angels and deployed the squadron to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From the efforts during this deployment, his squadron was subsequently recognized as the Squadron of the Year, and three Marines under his command were recognized as the Marine Corps Aviator of the Year, Crew Chief of the Year, and Ordnance Man of the Year. From 2013–2015, Cavanaugh commanded MAG-36. As the 3d MEB ACE, MAG-36 deployed in direct support of Operation Damayan, typhoon relief in the Philippines. In 2015, elements from the MAG deployed in direct support of Operation Sahayogi Haat, earthquake relief in Nepal. Under his command, MAG-36 conducted a myriad of bilateral exercises throughout the USPACOM area of operations. From 2016–2018, Cavanaugh served as the deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. MARINE CORPS

BRIG. GEN. DIMITRI HENRY

Director of Intelligence, Headquarters United States Central Command MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa Florida

Brig. Gen. Dimitri Henry assumed duties as director of intelligence (CCJ2), United States Central Command in February. Henry enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1981 and attained the rank of staff sergeant. After completion of the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection Training (BOOST) program, he was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1988. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant. From May 1990–May 1993, Henry served at 2d Radio Battalion and deployed with 8th Marines (Desert Shield/Desert Storm), 26th MEU SOC (Provide Promise), and was OIC of the II MEF Communications Center. In June 1993, Henry attended Naval Postgraduate School, graduating with a Master of Science degree in systems engineering. In 1995, Henry was assigned to the Navy Information Warfare Activity at the National Security Agency. In December 1997, he reported to 15th MEU SOC serving as S-2A and then S-2. After two MEU SOC deployments, Henry reported to Marine Corps Command and Staff College in August 2000. From 2001–2004, Henry served as the commanding officer, Co H, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, San Antonio, TX.

BRIG. GEN. LORNA MAHLOCK

Assistant Deputy Commandant for Information, Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) leading the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Marine Corps

Brig. Gen. Lorna Mahlock is the assistant deputy commandant for information, director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4), leading the office of the chief information officer (CIO) for the Marine Corps. Before her current assignment, she served as deputy director, Headquarters Marine Corps plans, policy, and operations and commanding officer, Marine Air Control Group 18, Okinawa, Japan. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she immigrated to Brooklyn, NY, and enlisted in the Marine Corps. She was selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, graduated from Marquette University, and was commissioned in December 1991. Designated as an air traffic control www.blackengineer.com

officer, she earned certifications as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tower local controller and a Marine aviation weapons and tactics instructor. She has commanded at various levels, including company commander—Operation Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom 01; operations and executive officer—Iraqi Freedom 02; commanding officer—Iraqi Freedom 08; Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs and assistant chief of staff G-6, deputy director of operations, plans policy, and operations, Headquarters United States Marine Corps. She holds a master’s degree in adult and higher education from the University of Oklahoma at Norman; a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies with distinction from the Naval Post Graduate School, Newport, RI; a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College; and a master’s certificate in information operations from the Naval Post Graduate School. She also is a graduate of the United Kingdom Defense College Higher Command and Staff.

BRIG. GEN. CALVERT L . WORTH Assistant Division Commander 2d Marine Division

Brig. Gen. Calvert Worth is a 1989 graduate of the University of Missouri Columbia. He was commissioned via the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates Course in 1991. Worth has served in a variety of billets in the operating forces, including commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, commanding officer of the 6th Marine Regiment and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response—Africa. Worth has participated in numerous operations, including Operation Sea Signal (Cuba), Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Worth’s staff assignments include assignments as the division chief, Joint Operations Division—CENTCOM in the Joint Staff J-3, J35 Regional Operations. He most recently served as the commanding general for training command. Worth is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School (with distinction), The Marine Corps Command and Staff College (with distinction), the School of Advanced Warfighting, and the National War College, and is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Seminar XXI Fellow. He holds three master’s degrees: a master’s degree in military studies and a master’s degree in operational studies from the Marine Corps University; and a Master of Science degree in national security strategy from the National Defense University.

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

Assistant Commandant for Acquisition & Chief Acquisition Officer (Cao) (Cg-9) U.S. Coast Guard

Rear Adm. Michael J. Johnston serves as the U.S. Coast Guard’s assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer (CAO). As CAO, he directs efforts across Coast Guard acquisition programs, acquisition support, personnel, finance, contracting, and research and development activities. Before reporting as CAO, he served as executive program officer and director of acquisition programs, where his duties included oversight of Coast Guard acquisition programs for modernization of surface, air, command, and control, and logistics assets in support of the Coast Guard’s maritime missions. Johnston graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. After serving two tours afloat, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology to complete a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering. He then served as a project manager and senior communications network engineer for the Vessel Traffic Systems and the Differential Global Positioning System. He was selected to serve as an aide to the commandant of the Coast Guard from 2000–2002. During this timeframe, his work helped restore the nation to normalcy following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He also helped to transition the Coast Guard into the newly formed Department of Homeland Security.

expert on flu pandemics. Schwartz graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical engineering from Brown University in 1994, and she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Brown University School of Medicine in 1998. In 2000, she completed her master’s degree in public health with a concentration in health services and occupational and environmental medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). In 2001, she completed the USUHS Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency program. Preceding her transfer to the Public Health Service and Coast Guard in 2005, she served as a Navy occupational medicine physician.

In terms of size, the U.S. Coast Guard by itself is the world’s 12th largest naval force! (Source: Official blog of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)

REAR ADM. ERICA SCHWARTZ Deputy Surgeon General of the United States

Before becoming deputy surgeon general, Rear Adm. Erica Schwartz served as the Coast Guard’s chief medical officer from 2015 to 2019. She assumed her current assignment on March 1. As a commissioned corps officer, Schwartz served with the Coast Guard as its chief of health services and chief of preventive medicine at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters and became its principal

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

PUBLISHER’S

RECOMMENDATION • READ MORE GREAT STORIES

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD HERE •

www.blackengineer.com

NATIONAL GUARD

U.S. COAST GUARD

REAR ADM. MICHAEL JOHNSTON

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

NATIONAL GUARD

MA J. GEN. JOHN C. HARRIS, JR. Adjutant General Army, Ohio National Guard

Maj. Gen. John Harris is adjutant general—Army, Ohio National Guard, and serves as commander, Ohio Army National Guard. He assumed these duties on Jan. 11, 2011, and is responsible for establishing policies, priorities, and oversight for the readiness of 11,400 soldiers. Harris began his military career in 1981 when he enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard. He received a commission in 1984 through Officer Candidate School. He has commanded at the platoon, detachment, company, and squadron levels while serving in assignments at the battalion, squadron, and state area command as well as joint force headquarters level. Harris’s recent assignments include chief of staff, deputy chief of staff for personnel, and commander, Task Force Lancer, Kosovo.

MA J. GEN. LEONARD W. ISABELLE JR. Assistant adjutant general and commander Michigan Air National Guard

Maj. Gen. Leonard Isabelle is the assistant adjutant general and commander of the Michigan Air National Guard. He is the principal air advisor to the adjutant general and is responsible for command and control of personnel, equipment, and resources for two flying wings (KC-135R, A-10C, MQ-9), an air operations group, a cyber operations squadron, and a combat readiness training center. Isabelle received his commission in 1987 as a graduate of the Academy of Military Science. He graduated from undergraduate pilot training at Reese Air Force Base in 1988. He has held numerous positions in operations and maintenance and has commanded at the flight, squadron, group, and state air component levels. His five operational deployments include Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2015, Isabelle participated in exercise Judicious Response as a joint air component coordination element director to U.S. Africa Command. In 2016, Isabelle served as the deputy commanding general for U.S.

www.blackengineer.com

Northern Command Joint Task Force—X and commander of Joint Task Force Search and Rescue for the Ardent Sentry Exercise. As a command pilot, he has logged 2,950 flying hours, including 260 combat hours, primarily in the A-10 and F-16 aircraft.

MA J. GEN. TIMOTHY M. MCKEITHEN Deputy Commanding General National Guard U.S. Army Pacific

Maj. Gen. Timothy McKeithen assumed duties as the deputy commanding general—National Guard U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) on March 3, 2018. As the deputy commanding general, he supports the USARPAC commanding general’s vision by setting the theater for success for contingencies. Before his current assignment, McKeithen served as deputy director of the Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau. As deputy director, he guided the formulation, development, and implementation of all programs and policies affecting the Army National Guard, which has more than 350,000 citizen soldiers in the 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia and oversaw a budget over $19 billion. McKeithen received his commission from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, where he was named a distinguished military graduate in 1985. McKeithen most recently served as director of logistics, J-4, Headquarters, North American Aerospace Defense Command.

MA J. GEN. LESTER SIMPSON Commander 36th Infantry Division

Maj. Gen. Lester Simpson serves as commander, 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard. He commands and controls the division’s headquarters and five major subordinate commands. He also serves as principal adviser to the adjutant general and army commander of Texas Military Forces on the employment of the division on state and federal missions. Simpson received his commission in 1980 through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program at the University of Texas, Arlington. He has commanded at all levels throughout the division and held numerous staff positions throughout his career, most notably his former USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

NATIONAL GUARD

assignment as the special assistant to the director of the Army National Guard.

MA J. GEN. MICHAEL C. THOMPSON Adjutant General Army, Oklahoma National Guard

Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson has served as the adjutant general of the Oklahoma Army National Guard since November 2017. He has oversight of training, administration, logistics, and personnel actions. He directs the Army National Guard staff and guides the staff and subordinate commanders. Thompson also facilitates command staff decisions about force development, planning, strength maintenance, and force operations. Thompson was commissioned in 1986 through the Oklahoma Military Department, Officer Candidate School, Oklahoma City, OK. He has served as land component commander, Oklahoma Army National Guard, chief of staff, Oklahoma Army National Guard, and commander, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard. Thompson has commanded at the company, battalion, and brigade levels. Before receiving his commission, Thompson served for two and a half years as an enlisted soldier in the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

BRIG. GEN. ONDR A L . BERRY Adjutant General Nevada Air National Guard

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced the appointment of Brig. Gen. Ondra L. Berry as the adjutant general for the state of Nevada on Aug. 19. Berry previously served as the assistant adjutant general for the Nevada Air National Guard (NVANG) since 2015 as well as the assistant to the director of A-1 NGB, HAF A-1, since last year. In the former role, he was the principal advisor on all NVANG issues related to federal and state missions and was responsible for developing and coordinating all policies, programs, and plans affecting more than 1,100 NVANG personnel, the NVANGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s C-130/MAFF, MQ-1/9, and Distributed Ground Station weapons systems. Additionally, he served as the official channel of communication with the National Guard Bureau and the U.S. Department of the Air Force. In the latter role, he served as the service component-level personnel director for over 107,000 Air National Guard (ANG) members, including managing the component headquarters, Numbered Air Force,

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

and major command-level support in formulation and coordination of policy and execution of manpower, personnel, services, and training programs of the entire personnel life cycle.

BRIG. GEN. JANEEN L . BIRCKHEAD Assistant Adjutant General Maryland Army National Guard

BRIG. GEN. SYLVESTER CANNON Commander 135th Sustainment Command, Alabama

Brig. Gen. Sylvester Cannon is deputy commanding general of 1st Theater Sustainment Command/ commanding general of 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. Cannon joined the Alabama National Guard in 1981 and earned his commission through the State Officer Candidate School on June 29, 1985. He has served in multiple active duty roles, including strategy and policy planner, distribution management center chief, and brigade commander.

BRIG. GEN. DAVID D. HAMLAR Adjutant General Minnesota National Guard

Brig. Gen. David Hamlar has served as adjutant general, Minnesota National Guard since January 2018. Hamlar

www.blackengineer.com

T O P B L A C K O F F I C E R S in the U.S. Military

U.S. NATIONAL GUARD

graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He then attended Howard University College of Dentistry as a National Health Service Corps scholarship recipient, gaining a commission. While practicing dentistry, he entered medical school at Ohio State University in 1985. After completing his studies, he spent his fourth year as a research scientist. This led to post-graduate training in general surgery and four years in otolaryngology, medical and surgical treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. Finally, a fellowship in facial plastics led him to Minnesota in 1994, where he attended the University of Minnesota. Hamlar continued his career by joining the Ohio Air National Guard in 1989. He joined the 133rd Airlift Wing as a traditional guardsman and general practice physician in 1995.

adjutant general in the formulation, development, and implementation of all programs and policies in the Missouri Army National Guard. Mason received his commission as a second lieutenant through the Kansas Army National Guard Officer Candidate School in 1987. Before his commissioning, Mason began his military career on active duty in 1974 as a military police officer. He has held command leadership positions at the company, battalion, and brigade levels. Mason served as the senior intelligence officer for the 35th Engineer Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2007–2008. The brigade conducted combat engineer operations throughout the central Iraq area of operations, including Baghdad.

BRIG. GEN. BRUCE C. LINTON Commander Land Component Command

Brig. Gen. Bruce Linton received his commission through the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. Upon graduating in August 1988, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Washington Army National Guard. He completed the Aviation Officer Basic Course and Initial Entry Rotary—Wing Qualification Course and multiple aircraft transition courses while serving as an aviator. Linton joined the ranks of the Tukwila Police Department in August 1994. He spent the first several years assigned as a patrol officer conducting proactive patrol throughout the city. In 1997, he joined the department’s anti-crime team, where he served as a bike/community police officer. In 1999, he served as a narcotics detective on the anti-crime team, working on street-level narcotics interdiction. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001 and later to the commander in 2008. Linton was promoted to deputy chief in February 2012. On Oct. 16, 2017, Linton was sworn in as the chief of police by Mayor Allan Ekberg.

BRIG. GEN. GREGORY D. MASON Assistant Adjutant General Army, Missouri National Guard

National Guard units played a major role in recovery efforts in Florida and Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

PUBLISHER’S

RECOMMENDATION • LEARN MORE ABOUT BEYA’S STARS AND STRIPES EVENT HERE •

Brig. Gen. Gregory Mason serves as assistant adjutant general, Missouri National Guard. He assists the

www.blackengineer.com

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Mission critical At United Technologies, we value the leadership, discipline and loyalty instilled through dedicated military service and are committed to helping veterans find their next mission with our team. ALL IN. CREATING AN EXTRAORDINARY FUTURE.

Learn more at www.utc.com/military

SES TOP BLACK

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS

Members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) serve in the key positions just below the top presidential appointees. SES members are the major link between presidential appointees and the rest of the federal workforce. They operate and oversee nearly every government activity in approximately 75 federal agencies. As of September 2014, the most recent facts and figures on the federal senior executive service show that there were 859 Black/African-American members, making up 11.01 percent of the total senior workforce. Agencies with the largest number of SES in September 2014 were the Department of Defense (1,208), Department of Justice (767), Department of Homeland Security (598), Department of the Treasury (464), Department of Energy (462), Department of Health and Human Services (420), National Aeronautics & Space Administration (403), Department of Commerce (384), Department of Veterans Affairs (373), and Department of Agriculture (344). Most SES members are based in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, with more than 51 percent in the District of Columbia. States with more than 50 SES members (Excluding the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area) include California, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Washington.

www.blackengineer.com

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

ANSELM A. BEACH Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Equity and Inclusion Agency

Mr. Anselm A. Beach assumed the duties as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Equity and Inclusion Agency) on 10 November 2019. He is the principal Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserves Affairs) on policy development and guidance, supervision, education, training, and synchronization for the Army as a Total Force. He serves as the Secretary of the Army’s designated proponent for Diversity and Inclusion, Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Equal Opportunity, Career Program, and Policy and oversight of Army Command Programs. He directs the daily operation and execution of one the most comprehensive complaints adjudication process, proactive management and prevention programs within the Federal government. Mr. Beach previously served as the Acting Executive Director, Privacy and Diversity Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. In this Senior Executive Service position; he served as a principal advisor to the Commissioner on highly sensitive and complex workforce issues, and led five divisions: Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity Division, Privacy, Freedom of Information Act Division, Custody Support and Compliance Division, and Mission Support Division to serve over 60,000 employees. JOHN BONAPART, JR. Director for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection Headquarters Air Force Space Command

John Bonapart is the director for logistics, engineering, and force protection, Headquarters Air Force Space Command. As the director, he leads military and civilian personnel responsible for the development of policy, guidance, training, and programming for logistics, civil engineering, and force protection

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

activities in support of over 26,000 space professionals worldwide. He manages the maintenance and lifecycle sustainment of the Command’s space systems through the execution of a $1.4 billion Weapon System Sustainment budget. He oversees the programming and policy implementation for the Command’s $23 billion physical plant, which includes: 29 million square feet of facilities, seven major installations, and two coastal space launch ranges. Also, he directs policy development for the Command’s integrated defense, resource protection, and physical security activities in support of 2,100 security forces members and 20 high-priority protection level resources. KEVIN BOSTICK Director of Operations and Readiness, G-3 Headquarters, U.S. Army Materiel Command

Kevin Bostick provides mission command over daily operations by integrating global support functions and systems supporting the Joint Warfighters across the full spectrum of operations. He is responsible for plans, future operations, current operations, exercises, training, readiness, equipping, Army Prepositioned Stocks, the Logistics Readiness Center (LRC)/FMX, force protection, and petroleum operations. Bostick also executes the strategic direction, priorities, policies and guidance of the Army Materiel Command (AMC), commanding general (CG), deputy commanding general (DCG), executive deputy to the commanding general (EDCG), and assistant chief of staff, G-3. ANDREA BROTHERTON Deputy Naval Inspector General

Andrea Brotherton was appointed deputy naval inspector general in 2009. She has 28 years of civilian service. In 1985, she joined the Navy Office of the General Counsel, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), where she served as associate counsel in the office of counsel, Naval Sea Systems Command. In July 1999, she became an

assistant to the general counsel in the office of the associate general counsel (management). From 1995 to 1999, she served in the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division as a staff attorney preceding her selection as counsel. In 2004, she was appointed to the Senior Executive Service position of executive director, Office of Counsel, NAVAIR. She became counsel for Naval Facilities Engineering Command in 2005. A year later, she joined the office of the assistant secretary of the Navy as assistant general counsel (financial management and comptroller). Brotherton holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and political science. She also holds a Juris Doctorate and is licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia. ALEX BROWN Strategic Advisor to the Assistant Commandant for Intelligence and Criminal Investigations, U.S. Coast Guard

Alex Brown assumed his current duties on Jan. 10, 2016. Coast Guard Intelligence is responsible for providing intelligence and criminal investigative support to the United States Coast Guard. Previously, Brown served as the assistant director for technical collections at the Office of Naval Intelligence. While at the Office of Naval Intelligence, he also served as command operations officer, chief of the Maritime Watch, Maritime Systems, and the Strategic Assessment and Warning Departments. After being selected for a joint duty assignment, Brown served as the chief of the Office of Collection and Exploitation at the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he directed multiple inter-agency clandestine technical collection activities and led strategic planning and coordination for sensitive technical collection operations that were swiftly approved and highly successful. Before joining the Office of Naval Intelligence, Brown completed 23 years in the Navy as an active duty fire control technician, chief petty officer, and surface warfare officer.

www.blackengineer.com

Theodore Brown has served as director of regional business in the South Atlantic Division of the Army Corps of Engineers since November 2017. Before that, Brown was chief of planning and policy at Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C. He also serves as the leader of the Mississippi Valley Division Regional Integration Team. In this capacity, he provides leadership and oversight for coastal Louisiana post-Katrina reconstruction and planning. Brown also serves as the leader of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Planning Community of Practice. In his current position, Brown formulates and coordinates Army Civil Works policy with the Department of Army, federal agencies, and Office of Management and Budget; serves as the executive liaison for the Chief’s Environmental Advisory Board; and provides representation to other federal advisory committees. Brown is responsible for leading efforts in the implementation of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act. He serves as the principal Civil Works point of contact with congressional authorizing committees on policy and planning matters. He earned a Bachelor of Science at the Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration from Marshall University. TIMOTHY BRIDGES Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics Engineering, and Force Protection

Timothy Bridges is the assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering, and force protection. He has served in the United States Air Force for more than 38 years, both as an active duty civil engineer and as a member of the Senior Executive Service. He was commissioned in 1979 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at the Virginia Military Institute, earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Since then, he has served in design, planning, contract management, and operations. His most recent assignment was as the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for environment, safety, and occupational health. He served twice as a base civil engineer squadron

www.blackengineer.com

commander and as an installation commander. He also served as an Air Force ROTC assistant professor and held various staff positions at the major command and Air Force levels in the readiness, environmental, and resources arenas. Bridges retired from active duty at the rank of colonel in 2006 and entered the Senior Executive Service. KAREN BURROWS Director, Integrated Warfare Systems Engineering (SEA 05H) Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), United States Navy

Karen S. Burrows serves as the director, integrated warfare systems engineering, Naval Sea Systems Command, and is the technical authority to Program Executive Office, integrated warfare systems. Burrows is responsible for oversight of command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, and Intelligence systems (C5I) research, development, certification for deployment, and life cycle support for U.S. Navy ships. In this capacity, she is the deputy warranted technical and certification authority for Navy integrated warfare capability. Burrows was previously assigned as the executive director of the Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity and the deputy for weapons safety. Burrows was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in April 2012 and had over 30 years of service in the Department of Defense. AUBREY BUTTS, PH.D Director, Institute for Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

Selected to the federal Senior Executive Service in 2013, Dr. Aubrey Butts serves as the director for the Institute for NonCommissioned Officer Professional Development at U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. He is responsible for direction and oversight of the

Non-Commissioned Officer Education System across the Army and integrating action activities related to Non-Commissioned Officer Leader Development into the Army leader development strategy. Dr. Butts serves as the NCO subject matter expert for the Army leader development enterprise. As the director of the Institute for Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development, he has four functions: serve as principal adviser to the Army Leader Development Enterprise on NCO development, serve as executive agent for the NCO Development Program, serve as Training and Doctrine Command capability manager for the Army Career Tracker, and exercise direct authority over the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Dr. Butts has a Ph.D. in organization and management from Capella University and an M.B.A. from American Intercontinental University. He also has a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Park University, Parkville, MO.

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

THEODORE (TAB) BROWN, P.E. Director of Regional Business U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division

ROGERS CAMPBELL Executive Director for Store Operations Defense Commissary Agency

Rogers Campbell is the Defense Commissary Agency’s executive director for store operations, managing and directing tactical store support for DeCA’s nearly 240 commissaries configured under 26 field zones in 46 states, 13 countries, and two U.S. territories. He is responsible for ensuring that continual quality of service is provided to commissary patrons while maintaining the agency’s mission integrity. He assumed this position in March. Campbell was previously executive director of the Sales, Marketing, and Policy Group with oversight of directorates responsible for the agency’s nearly $5 billion sales, marketing, policy, health and safety, and business development budget. Campbell entered federal government service in 2010 with an appointment as director of the agency’s East region USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE 66

after having worked for more than 30 years in the private sector selling and marketing various consumer goods. A former captain in the U.S. Army, Campbell’s career has taken him from commanding a tank platoon to leading marketing, sales planning, and merchandising of new car sales for both the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and the Navy Exchange Service Command. He earned an M.B.A. from Rutgers University in 1974 and a Bachelor of Science in marketing as a distinguished military graduate from Saint Peter’s College in New Jersey in 1973. JUANITA M. CHRISTENSEN, PH.D Director U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development, and Engineering Center

Dr. Juanita Harris was selected for Senior Executive Service in February 2015. She previously served as the technical director, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center. She began her career as an electronics engineer. In 2015, Harris became the first AfricanAmerican woman from Redstone Arsenal to be selected for Senior Executive Service. Harris began working at AMRDEC in 2012 as the deputy director for the Aviation Development Directorate. She then moved to the role of director of the Weapons Development and Integration Directorate in 2015. Harris was announced the new director of AMRDEC on Nov. 17, 2017 and officially assumed her role on Nov. 26, 2017. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, which has the mission to provide innovative research, development, and engineering to produce capabilities that provide decisive overmatch to the Army against the complexities of the current and future operating environments in support of the joint warfighter and the nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

EUGENE (GENE) COLLINS Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health

Eugene Collins assumed duties as deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health in 2015. Collins provides executive leadership for sustainability, environment, natural resources, safety, and occupational health programs. He provides management and oversight of acquisition programs (environment, safety, and occupational health issues); chemical, biological, nuclear, and conventional treaty verification and compliance; the Army Environmental Technology Program; and the U.S./German Technology Data Exchange. He is the executive agent for several activities, including the Defense Department’s Unexploded Ordnance Center of Excellence, National Defense Center for Energy and the Environment, Voluntary Protection Program Center of Excellence, and the Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Cleanup Program. He also serves as the Army federal preservation official and functional representative for Career Program 12 (CP-12) as well as the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council. His responsibilities span a global organization that includes a $1.5 billion annual environmental program as well as oversight for the safety and occupational health of over 1.2 million soldiers and Army civilian employees. Collins entered the Senior Executive Service in 2007. Before assuming his current position, he served as the deputy director of logistics, Directorate of Logistics, deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations, and mission support. ALBERT CURRY, JR. Deputy Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics (CG-4D), U.S. Coast Guard

Albert Curry is currently serving as the Coast Guard’s deputy assistant commandant for engineering and logistics (CG-4D). In this position, he is responsible for overseeing all naval, civil, aeronautical, and industrial engineering,

logistics, and environmental and energy management programs for the Coast Guard’s $22 billion capital plan, which includes 23,000 facilities, 250 ships, 1,800 boats, and 200 aircraft. His responsibilities also include the execution of an annual budget of $1 billion and leading over 5,000 personnel at Coast Guard Headquarters and the three Coast Guard Logistics Centers: the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) in Elizabeth City, NC; the Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center (SILC) in Norfolk, VA; and the Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC) in Baltimore, MD. In his previous assignment as the deputy program manager for U.S. Coast Guard Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Major Acquisitions Programs, he had total programmatic oversight for the following projects: Rescue 21, Nationwide Automated Information System (NAIS), Interagency Operational Command (IOC) Centers, Coast Guard Logistics Information Management System (CG-LIMS), and C4ISR. Before this assignment, Curry served as the deputy project manager for the Rescue 21 Project. Before joining the Coast Guard, Curry served in the U.S. Navy. JAMES DALTON Director of Civil Works, Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

James Dalton was selected to the Senior Executive Service in January 2005. In his current position, he leads, manages, and directs the policy development, programming, planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance activities of the Army Civil Works Program, a $6 billion annual program of water and related land resources of the United States, and oversees the work of over 25,000 civilian employees. He also represents the USACE in the United Nations’ Advisory Board High-Level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters and serves on several national and international water resources committees. From May 2007 until August 2016, he was chief of USACE’s Engineering and Construction (E&C) Division, responsible for policy, program, and technical expertise in the design and construction programs for the U.S. Army, Air Force, Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and www.blackengineer.com

TERRI A. DICKERSON Director of Civil Rights, U.S. Coast Guard

Terri Dickerson, a member of the United States Senior Executive Service since 2000, joined the Coast Guard in 2006 as director, Office of Civil Rights. In February 2013, Dickerson was honored by BEYA for her superior performance and contributions to Coast Guard personnel and missions. From 2000 to 2006, Dickerson was second in charge of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She examined federal agencies’ civil rights offices and advised officials, Congress, and the White House on improved enforcement. In 2005, the White House installed her as the interim agency head after the outgoing chief departed and until a new appointee’s confirmation. Dickerson is a widely published author, penning articles for industry and national publications, including The Washington Post, USA TODAY, and Ladies’ Home Journal. The U.S. Supreme Court cited a study she directed, “Beyond Percentage Plans: The Challenge of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education,” in its 2005 decision on affirmative action. She was named a Presidential Meritorious Executive in 2008. Dickerson earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Virginia and a Master of Arts from Johns Hopkins University. She is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Board of Trustees. LARRY DOUCHAND, P.E. Assistant Commander for Environmental Programs Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)

Larry Douchand has served as Naval Facilities Engineering assistant commander for environmental programs since 2006. He is responsible for NAVFAC services to the Department of the Navy. Prior to his Senior Executive Service position with NAVFAC (January 2004 to July 2006), he served as

www.blackengineer.com

chief, Strategic Integration Branch at the Army Corps of Engineers, and was responsible for establishing the management and execution for the $11 billion Base Realignment and Closure Program, which included military construction, environmental cleanup, and real estate disposal. From July 2003 to January 2004, he served as chief, Environmental Support Branch, at the Army Corps of Engineers. He holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Maryland and a member of the NAVFAC acquisition community. MONIQUE Y. FERRELL Principal Deputy Auditor General, U.S. Army Audit Agency

Recently the director of the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program, (SHARP) Monique Ferrell was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2011. She has formulated policies and executed strategies and associated metrics as well as initiatives to satisfy changing needs in the dynamic SHARP program. Before this assignment, she served for 29 years in the U.S. Army Audit Agency. In her last position, as deputy auditor general for manpower, reserve affairs, and training audits, Ferrell was the principal adviser to the auditor general for functional auditing areas of human capital, force protection, force structure, and training. Previously, she directed Army-wide audit coverage of high-risk areas that focused on theater deployment and sustainment functions, the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program, contingency contracting, and contractors on the battlefield. Ferrell holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Hampton University and a master’s degree in policy management from Georgetown University.

GAIL FOREST Director of Engineering and Technical Management, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command

Gail Forest is director of engineering and technical management, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. Forest is the senior technical advisor to the commander in support of the command’s mission to deliver warwinning technology, acquisition, test, and expeditionary sustainment capabilities to the warfighter. She leads the development and implementation of engineering policies and practices spanning science and technology, research, development, test, and evaluation, and sustainment focused on achieving fleet operational safety, suitability, and effectiveness. Forest also directs development of new initiatives designed to improve the recruitment and career management of the command’s 12,000 military and civilian scientists and engineers. Forest began her career as a manufacturing engineer with Buick Motor Division, General Motors Corporation. In 1982, she entered federal civil service as an engineer in the Maintenance Directorate at Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command. She has held numerous engineering, logistics, and acquisition program management positions. Before her current assignment, Forest was the director for information dominance programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C. She was responsible for planning and programming all acquisition and modernization activities for Air Force command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs.

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

over 60 foreign nations. From July 2005 to May 2007, Dalton served as the regional business director for the South Atlantic Division in Atlanta, GA. Dalton served as director of business management for the Gulf Region Division in Baghdad, Iraq, from January to July 2005. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s degree from North Carolina State University.

ARTHUR HATCHER, JR. Director of Cyber Capabilities and Compliance, Office of Information Dominance Chief Information Officer Office of the Secretary of the Air Force

Arthur Hatcher is a member of the Senior Executive Service. He is the director of cyber capabilities and compliance, Office of Information

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

Dominance and chief information officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA. He is responsible for oversight and reporting the Air Force’s multibillion-dollar information technology budget; performing Air Force IT system portfolio management analysis; and facilitating, validating, and reporting compliance with all federal/ Department of Defense/Air Force IT policy, congressional mandates, and legal obligations. He serves on the AF Board corporate structure and is also the Air Force senior agency official for records management and the service component official for privacy. He completed 30 years with the U.S. Air Force and entered federal service in July 2013. While on active duty, he served on the Joint Staff, a combatant command staff, and two major commands. He has commanded an air expeditionary group, a communications group, and two communications squadrons. His units won both Department of Defense and Air Force-level awards. His previous assignment was as director of communications and chief information officer, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces. LYTWAIVE HUTCHINSON Director, Enterprise Information Technology Services Directorate, Deputy Chief Information Officer Office of the Secretary of Defense

Lytwaive Hutchinson became director, enterprise IT services for Washington Headquarters Services in 2011 following the merger of the Information Technology Management Directorate (ITMD) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Networks. She was promoted to director of ITMD in 2010. As the deputy chief information officer, office of the secretary of defense, she assisted with strategy, 68

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

implementation, maintenance of information, and information systems. Before that, she was director, enterprise services, where she implemented the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Customer Service Software Platform and Service Desk. Hutchinson was promoted to director, Information Assurance Division, in 2004 and served as the designated approving authority for IT services at WHS. She entered federal government service in 2002 as an information assurance manager. She was instrumental in modernizing the training program from a paper-based system to an automated system. Before that, she served with the Army for 21 years, attaining the rank of chief warrant officer 3. Hutchinson holds a Master of Science degree in quality systems management and a bachelor’s degree in computer science. She is also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and Harvard Business School for Executive Education. JOHN JAMES, JR. Executive Director, Missile Defense Agency

John James is the executive director of the Missile Defense Agency, Office of the Secretary of Defense. He is the senior civilian advisor to the Missile Defense Agency director on all issues relating to the agency’s operational and management activities. James provides oversight, direction, and guidance to MDA staff, ensuring the integration of all MDA functions required to sustain an effective Ballistic Missile Defense program. He also serves as an interface to the office of the secretary of defense, the Services, and Congress. Previously, James was director, National Security Personnel System Transition Office, within the office of the secretary of defense. He was responsible for the congressional mandate to transition 228,000 employees to alternate personnel and pay system. Also, he held the position of executive director of logistics, maintenance, and industrial operations and executive director for undersea warfare, both at the Naval Sea Systems Command. He joined the Senior Executive Service in May 2000. James holds an undergraduate degree from Howard University and a master’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology and attended the Harvard School of Business and the Keenan-Flagler Business School.

CLARENCE JOHNSON Principal Director and Director for Civilian Equal Employment Opportunity Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Equal Opportunity)

Clarence Johnson was selected to the Senior Executive Service in 2003. In October 2010, Johnson was detailed as the special assistant to the deputy assistant secretary of the Army (diversity and leadership) to assist the Army in implementing a robust diversity strategy. He stood up a Division, Diversity, and EEO Policy and Programs, where he served as its director until his return in February 2012 to his present position as director, office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity. Before serving the Department of Defense as a civil servant, Johnson was an active duty Air Force colonel serving in the office of the deputy sssistant secretary of sefense for equal opportunity as director, military equal opportunity. In that capacity, he formulated and provided policy guidance to the military components regarding policies and programs which prescribe, promote, coordinate, and enforce equal opportunity and treatment of active duty and reserve component military personnel. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Tuskegee Institute and a master’s degree in human resource management from Webster University. He is also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, the Air War College in Alabama, and the National Security Management Course from the National Defense University. DELORES JOHNSON DAVIS Senior Professional for Strategic Integration (Human Dimension) Office of the Assistant Secretary (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)

Davis was appointed to a senior leader position on Aug. 23, 2015. She serves as the senior professional for strategic integration (human dimension). In this capacity, she manages and integrates research, analysis, and studies in support of the human dimension strategy. These efforts include work in big data, especially as it relates to personnel and human resources, Army human capital, and risk assessment studies for soldiers. She is responsible for establishing accountability and synergy www.blackengineer.com

BRENDA JOHNSON-TURNER Director of Real Estate for the Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Brenda Johnson-Turner was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in November 2014 and served as director of real estate for the Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). JohnsonTurner provides executive leadership for program execution of the Department of the Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate mission for Army land and improvements worldwide. She is responsible for overall policy and ensuring technical expertise to provide real estate acquisition, asset management, and disposal. She also serves as chief of the South Pacific Division and Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Regional Integration Team, in which she manages the Washington-level representation and support through integrating product and service mission areas and establishing and maintaining relationships at a national level for military and other program areas with projects exceeding $700 million annually. Johnson-Turner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Alcorn State University.

www.blackengineer.com

MR. HORACE LARRY Director of Air Force Services, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel

Horace Larry is director of Air Force Services, U.S. Air Force Headquarters, located in the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. He assists the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel and services in delivering services capabilities to optimize airmen performance through care solutions that help build and maintain resilient, ready airmen and families. His team provides policy direction, funding advocacy, and oversight for the $2.9 billion worldwide services portfolio. This includes physical fitness, peacetime and wartime troop feeding, Air Force mortuary affairs operations, Armed Force entertainment, Air Force protocol, lodging, and libraries. It also includes the Wounded Warrior Program, the Transition Assistance Program, airmen and family readiness centers, child development and youth centers, and a wide spectrum of recreational activities. Larry was commissioned in the Air Force in 1975. Over the next 30 years, he was assigned to various posts, including deputy support group commander, commander of the Air Force Services Agency, and deputy director of Air Force Services in the office of the deputy chief of staff for installations and logistics at U.S. Air Force Headquarters. He retired from the Air Force in 2005 as a colonel. Larry became a civil service employee in 2006 and a federal contractor a year later, serving as a senior program manager for Logistics Applications Inc. at the Department of Energy. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2009. EARL MATTHEWS Staff Judge Advocate for the Joint Force Headquarters District of Columbia National Guard

Earl Matthews serves as the staff judge advocate for the Joint Force Headquarters District of Columbia National Guard, where he provides legal advice and counsel to the commanding

general regarding D.C. National Guard operations. Matthews received a direct commission into the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corps in March 2000. He has provided multifaceted legal counsel and leadership during his career that includes assignments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned a J.D. from the Harvard Law School in June 1998, an M.S. in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University in August 2005, an LL.M. in national security law from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2013, and an M.S. in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2016. In his civilian capacity, he previously served as principal deputy general counsel of the Department of the Army, as a special assistant to the secretary of defense, and as an assistant general counsel of the Defense Intelligence Agency, among other positions. CHARLES MAY, JR. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Executive Assistant Director for Atlantic Operations

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

to accomplish human dimension priorities and to integrate future human dimension capabilities and systems to increase Army readiness. She performs both internal and external strategic engagements to the Department of Defense, including federal research agencies, science, and technology scholars, private organizations, and individuals, to determine which projects impact the skills, competence, and resilience of the future warfighter. Davis is uniquely qualified for these duties based on her academic and professional experience within several behavioral disciplines and her career efforts integrating strategy, policy, and resources to deliver effective soldier and family readiness programs.

Special Agent Charles T. May, Jr., was assigned as acting executive assistant director for Atlantic Operations, Virginia Beach, VA, in September 2013. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2014. As executive assistant director for Atlantic Operations, May supervises the activities of seven field offices, including overseas operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He oversees investigations and operations and leads strategic initiatives with law enforcement, security, and investigative agencies. May joined the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in 1984, and his previous senior-level NCIS assignments include special agent in charge, Norfolk Field Office, VA; special agent in charge, Camp Lejeune, NC; deputy assistant director (DAD), Directorate for Intelligence and Information Sharing (DIIS), Internal Communications (Code 25); and NCIS senior representative to the USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE 70

Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General (DoDIG). May is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Hampton Roads Chief of Police (executive member), Virginia Area Maritime Security Committee (co-chairman), and NC/ VA Law Enforcement Information Exchange (co-chairman). ESSYE B. MILLER Principal Deputy, Department of Defense Chief Information Officer

Ms. Essye Miller is a career member of the federal Senior Executive Service (SES) and currently serves as the Principal Deputy, Department of Defense Chief Information Officer. In this capacity, Ms. Miller assists the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer as the primary advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Information Management Information Technology (IT) and Information Assurance, as well as non-intelligence space systems, critical satellite communications, navigation, and timing programs, spectrum, and telecommunications. While serving as deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity and the department’s senior information security officer, Ms. Miller was appointed by the deputy secretary of defense as the acting defense chief information officer (December 8, 2017 – May 6, 2018). As the deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity, Ms. Miller was responsible for ensuring that the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer has a well-executed program, coordinating cybersecurity standards, policies, and procedures with other federal agencies, coalition partners, and industry. Prior to joining the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer, Ms. Miller was the director of cybersecurity for the Army CIO/G-6. She was also the Army’s Senior Information Assurance Officer and was responsible for the development, implementation, execution, and oversight of the Army’s Cybersecurity Program. USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

ROBERT MOORE Director, Research and Technology, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command

Robert Moore is currently director of the Research and Technology, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command. Previously, he was a deputy to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command. Moore has also served as deputy director of security cooperation and Offices of Defense Cooperation, J-5, Headquarters, U.S. European Command, Germany. Before that, he was the deputy director of logistics and security assistance, J-4, Headquarters, U.S. European Command. Moore was selected to the Senior Executive Service in July 2003. Like many veteran executives in the federal Senior Executive Service who have served for many years, he served for more than 28 years in the Air Force, retiring as a colonel. His last assignment was with the United States Embassy in Berlin, Germany, as chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation. He received his bachelor’s degree (cum laude) in biology and chemistry from Alabama State University, a master’s degree in counseling from Pepperdine University, and another master’s degree in logistics management at the Air Force Institute of Technology. LEVATOR NORSWORTHY, JR. Deputy General Counsel–Acquisition

Levator Norsworthy was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in January 1998 and currently serves as deputy general counsel (acquisition), where he assists the general counsel in providing advice and counsel to all Army Secretariat officials, including the secretary of the Army, the Army acquisition executive, the Army chief information officer, and their staffs. The provision of legal advice encompasses a variety of functional areas, such as federal procurement law, major weapon system acquisition, military construction, research

and development, developmental and operational testing, logistics, international cooperative programs, security assistance, competitive sourcing, and contingency contracting. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Dayton and a Juris Doctorate at the University of Cincinnati College of Law and has received the Presidential Rank Award and a DA Award for Exceptional Civilian Service. PAULA PATRICK Deputy, Chief Human Capital Officer Department of Commerce

Paula E. Patrick has served as the deputy chief human capital officer at the Department of Commerce since June. Previously, she served as the director for J-1, Manpower, and Personnel. She was responsible for providing the full range of human resources support for the AFRICOM’s civilian, military, interagency, liaison, and foreign nationals while promoting the quality of life of service members assigned to the African continent. Patrick developed and executed human capital plans, policies, and programs in support of the AFRICOM Theater and Headquarters staff. She planned and managed workforce requirements, authorizations, and organizational constructs, providing unrivaled technical expertise, personnel planning, and support for joint operations, programs, personnel augmentation, mobilization, and reserve affairs. Patrick has over 29 years of experience with the Department of Defense. During her 17 years with the Air Force, she had assignments in Japan, Germany, and three different rotations through the Pentagon. During her eight years with the Department of Navy, she worked at the Washington Navy Yard and Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. While serving as an Army civilian, she worked at AFRICOM in Germany and the Pentagon. WILLIAM H. ROBERTS Director of Accountability and Audit Readiness Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Management and Comptroller

William Roberts Jr. was appointed to the Senior Executive Service on March 19, 2017 as the director of accountability and audit readiness, office of the assistant secretary of the Army, financial management and

www.blackengineer.com

LAWRENCE H. ROBINSON Senior Force Management Technical Advisor to the Director, Plans and Integration Directorate Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2, Headquarters, Department of the Army

Lawrence Robinson was appointed Defense Intelligence Senior Level in September 2013. As the senior force management technical advisor to the director, plans and integration directorate, office of the deputy chief of staff, G-2, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Robinson is responsible for providing authoritative advice on all aspects of the military intelligence force structure. He is a recognized authority and subject matter expert on force structure issues that materially affect the scope and future direction of military intelligence support to warfighters. Robinson retired from active duty at the rank of lieutenant colonel after 20 years of meritorious service. Key assignments have included director of intelligence, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy, director of intelligence operations, 165th Military Intelligence www.blackengineer.com

Operations, Darmstadt, Germany, and director of intelligence, 3rd Corps Support Command, Wiesbaden, Germany. Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University. CARLOS RODGERS Director, Budget Investment Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller

Carlos Rodgers supervises budget formulation and financial execution of Air Force procurement, research, development, test and evaluation, military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure appropriations that total more than $66 billion annually. From 1995 to 2016, Rodgers worked various assignments within Air Force Materiel Command, where he held progressively more responsible acquisition financial management positions in test and evaluation (major range and test facility base operations), foreign military sales, and single/joint service acquisition programs. Rodgers has more than 25 years of experience across all phases of the acquisition life cycle in a variety of different programs, including automated information/computer and communication systems, weapons, munitions, and aircraft. He entered government service as an Air Force Palace acquire intern in 1987. During his initial assignment, Rodgers worked as a cost and budget analyst at Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, IL, managing command and control communication system funding. TAWANDA ROONEY Deputy Director, Concepts, Development and Management Office, Secretary of the Air Force

Tawanda Rooney is the deputy director, Concepts, Development, and Management Office, Secretary of the Air Force. She assists the director with administration and support for management oversight of assigned organizations, programs, and developmental activities. She is responsible

for directing, managing, and leading organizational resources to meet mission objectives consistent with national security and operational priorities. Before this assignment, Rooney served as the director, Intelligence Systems Support Office leading technology development and methodology efforts that provide specialized and innovative approaches to rapidly address the Department of Defense strategic, operational, and tactical requirements. She began her federal career in 1984 through the Air Force summer-hire program. After earning a bachelor’s in business administration from Virginia State University in 1988, she became a budget analyst with the office of the deputy chief of staff for plans and operations. Five years later, she moved to the Defense Evaluation Support Activity, holding positions that included project manager, contracting officer, and directorate budget representative. In 1997, she became a deputy program manager at the ISSO and was responsible for the acquisition and evaluation of sensitive technology efforts. Rooney was selected for appointment to Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service in 2006 and assigned as laboratory director to provide R&D as well as technical support to the director of ISSO on acquisition and management of technology, intelligence systems, and related methodologies to support the organization.

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

comptroller. He is responsible for the integration of all Army policies, programs, systems, and procedures designed to develop, improve, and maintain the Army’s financial accountability, ability to produce auditable financial statements, and internal management control programs. Roberts’ most recent assignment was as director of audit readiness, general fund for the accountability and audit readiness directorate. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Hampton University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Roberts has over 23 years of experience in creating highly successful financial and operational strategies, providing leadership in creating dynamic, highly motivated, efficient, and customer-centric organizations within the public and private sector, Roberts also serves as a mentor to many individuals within the Department of Defense financial management community.

MARK N. RUSS Principal Executive Assistant Director, Management and Administration, Naval Criminal Investigative Service

Special Agent Mark N. Russ was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in February 2016 and had 26plus years of federal service. He was appointed in 2019 as the principal executive assistant director for management and administration with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). He exercises daily oversight of agency business operations, including financial, human capital, logistical, acquisition, administrative, and USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

information technology functions. As the primary advisor to the NCIS director and deputy director, he guides agency business operations and support services, while managing budget and planning to ensure that NCIS resources are directed against priority mission areas and critical requirements. Before his current assignment, Russ served as the executive assistant director (EAD) for the NCIS National Security Directorate (2016–2018). He had program management oversight of counterterrorism/ counterintelligence investigations and operations, including espionage, terrorism, compromise, technology transfer, cyber intrusion, insider threat, and threats to research development and acquisition programs. He served as the primary advisor to the NCIS director and deputy director on all national security investigations, operations, and operational support services. He was also responsible for training agency personnel to protect Navy and Marine Corps networks from attacks and the intelligence activities of foreign governments and international terrorist organizations. ARTHUR SCOTT Assistant Auditor General for Research, Development, Acquisition, and Logistics

Arthur Scott was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2010 and had 23 years of federal service in the Department of the Navy and United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. As the assistant auditor general for research, development, acquisition, and logistics, he is responsible for overseeing a directorate of 70 auditors in the performance of internal audits that focus on research, development, and acquisition of Navy and Marine Corps platforms and warfare systems with an annual budget over $50 billion. His staff is in Washington, D.C., at the historic Washington Navy Yard. A native of South Carolina, Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of South Carolina State College. Scott has received 72

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

numerous awards and recognitions during his audit career, including the American Society of Military Comptroller’s Meritorious Performance Award from the Department of Defense comptroller. THEODORE SHORT, JR. Comptroller, Naval Air Systems Command

Theodore Short’s federal career spans over 25 years in financial management. During his tenure with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), he has had oversight of budget formulation and financial reporting in financial management positions. Short entered the Senior Executive Service as the NAVAIR comptroller in 2010. He is responsible for budgeting, accounting, and financial management in an organization responsible for $42 billion annually in acquisition and sustainment funds. Short leads fiscal policies and controls over financial operations for NAVAIR in budgets, accounting and finance, and audit and review. Short has twice been recognized with the prestigious Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He is a member of the American Society of Military Comptrollers and the president of the Southern Maryland chapter. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Salisbury University in 1988. JEFFERY SHELTON Deputy Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force

Jeffery Shelton assists the administrative assistant in executing the responsibilities of the office, which includes performing highlevel assignments according to secretarial policies, goals, and objectives. He oversees the execution and programming of the U.S. Air Force Headquarters, a portfolio with an annual budget of $5.6 billion and 37,000 personnel. Shelton also assists in managing and administratively supporting the office of the secretary of the Air Force, its 1,650-member secretariat, and its 2,400 member-supported field operating agencies. Shelton entered federal service

in 1981 and spent his first four years at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. He completed a two-year logistics careerbroadening assignment at the Pentagon and then moved to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he was command public and private competition program manager and BRAC liaison officer. In 1999, he returned to Washington, D.C., where he served in positions with the secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, financial management, and budget; and the warfighting, integration, and chief information officer. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2008 and served as associate deputy assistant secretary for acquisition integration, office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and the deputy director of resource integration, deputy chief of staff for logistics installation and mission support. JESSIE L. SHOWERS Infrastructure Executive, Implementation and Sustainment Center, Defense Information Systems Agency

Jessie Showers is responsible for planning, resourcing, sustaining, and evolving the Defense Information Systems Network, which consists of optical transport, IP networks, voice networks, and video networks. His responsibilities also include other data and messaging networks, such as the Anti-Drug Network and Defense Messaging System. These networks provide information superiority and global enterprise infrastructure in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, combatant commanders, DOD Components, and other mission partners. Before becoming an infrastructure executive, he was the vice director of network services. He previously served as chief, Defense Information Systems Agency Project Management Office and Resources Center, Network Services. RONALD SMILEY, PH.D. National Director, Avionics, Sensors, and E*Warfare, and Director, Electronic Warfare and Combat Systems Naval Air Systems Command

Dr. Ronald Smiley directs the efforts of over 1,250 scientists and engineers across seven locations and is involved in naval aviation electronics and electronic systems utilized to enable advanced warfighting capabilities. He has spent over 40 years in maritime www.blackengineer.com

ELLEN SMITH Assistant Auditor General for Financial Management and Comptroller Audits, Naval Audit Service

Ellen Smith provides direction for audits of the Department of the Navy (DON) accounting and finance operations and programs. She serves as the senior official in charge of executing advanced techniques to identify the most significant risks and make recommendations and decisions to strengthen internal controls. Before her present assignment, Smith was the deputy to the assistant auditor general for installations and environment audits. Smith began her auditing career at the Naval Surface Warfare Center and later transferred to the Naval Audit Service. Smith began her public service career as a cooperative education student at the www.blackengineer.com

Military Sealift Command in Bayonne, NJ, as an accounting trainee. Smith holds a master’s degree in public administration from Troy University, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. She is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute Leadership Development Program at Charlottesville, VA, and the Bridging the Gap Leadership Development Program. Smith is a certified defense financial auditor and is a member of the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC). Smith was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in July 2015 and has over 30 years of government service. JIMMY SMITH Director, Office of Small Business Programs Department of the Navy

Jimmy Smith assumed the responsibilities of the director for the Small Business Program in June. He serves as the chief advisor to the secretary on all small business matters. Smith has been charged with overseeing small business acquisition policy, strengthening government and private sector partnerships, and fostering opportunities to leverage small businesses as strategic advantage for the benefit of our warfighters. In March 2017, Smith served as the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for expeditionary programs and logistics management. He served as the principal advisor to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition on matters related to the Navy’s Expeditionary Force, delivering upon urgent warfighter needs and overseeing acquisition logistics policy. Before that assignment, he served as the director of nuclear weapons safety and security at Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). In this capacity, he was responsible for the safekeeping of nearly 70 percent of this nation’s nuclear arsenal. Before working at SSP, Smith served as the director for the Above Water Sensors Directorate, where he managed procuring and sustaining warfighting missiles, guns, and ammunition systems for Navy warships. He graduated from Tuskegee University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He began his career in government service in 1991 at the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C.

LISA P. SMITH Deputy Director of Logistics, Civil Engineering and Force Protection

Lisa Smith is responsible for supporting the director of logistics by providing executive leadership and direction for organizing, training, and equipping more than 180,000 technicians and managers maintaining the aerospace weapons system inventory. Smith assists in providing strategic direction for material and equipment management, fuels, vehicle management and operations, distribution, personal property, and passenger traffic management. The directorate develops logistics readiness, maintenance, and munitions policy, ensuring the readiness of the single largest element of workforce supporting Air Force combat forces globally. Smith entered civil service in February 1986 through the Professional and Administrative Career outstanding scholar program at Robins Air Force Base, GA, and has over 29 years of logistics, acquisition, and supply chain experience. She has held leadership positions in the Department of Air Force and Office of Secretary of Defense. Before her current assignment, Smith was the deputy director of logistics, civil engineering, and force protection, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, where she developed policy for depot overhaul, repair, and modification of Air Force weapon systems, and logistics data systems. She coordinated product support and acquisition logistics for all Air Force weapon systems.

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

aviation and weapon systems research, development, acquisition, test, and engineering fields, performing in key technical and executive assignments, including directorships in corporate operations, Systems Engineering Department, Advanced Technology and Analysis Center, Weapons Evaluation Directorate, and the Information and Electronic Warfare Department. He earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in management from Claremont Graduate School. He earned an M.B.A. at Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Howard University. Dr. Smiley has served on various boards, including the College of Engineering and Computer Science Industry Advisory Board of California State University Northridge; the president’s advisory board of California State University, Channel Islands; the board of directors for World Affairs Council of Ventura County; the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Ventura County; and Interface Children and Family Services. His professional affiliations include the Engineering Management Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Association of Old Crows Electronic Defense Organization.

RENATA C. SPINKS Cyber Technology Officer U.S. Marine Corp Forces Cyberspace Command

Renata Spinks is a cyber technology officer for the Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command. In this capacity, she provides command-level support to the commanding major general of Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, leading complex problem sets for offensive and defensive

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

cyberspace operations. Spinks brings a unique set of skills and perspectives to the Corps with almost 20 years of military and civilian service experience. As an Army 44th MEDCOM combat veteran, she served as a patient administrator assigned to medical evacuation for the 28th Combat Support Hospital, where she was exposed to how critical the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and security of data is. Spinks built upon her military experience, achieving expertise in information systems, forensics, cybersecurity operations, and risk management. She has designed and engineered complex systems, tools, techniques, and protocols for financial and law enforcement industries as well as the intelligence community. Before joining the Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, Spinks served in leadership positions throughout the federal government, building her foundation in cybersecurity while with the Cybercrimes Center supporting human trafficking and child exploitation investigations. Spinks earned a Bachelor of Science degree in information systems from St. Augustine’s University and a master’s degree in technology management. JARRIS LOUIS TAYLOR, PH.D Deputy Assistant Secretary, Air Force for the Strategic Diversity Integration

Dr. Jarris Louis Taylor Jr., a member of the Senior Executive Service, is deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for strategic diversity Integration, office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, Washington, D.C. He is responsible for the policy, guidance, direction, and oversight of all plans and programs affecting diversity integration for Air Force military and civilian personnel. Dr. Taylor provides leadership, strategic 74

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

direction, and oversight to all levels of the Air Force to ensure a diverse and inclusive Total Force. Taylor, a native of Baltimore, MD, earned his Doctor of Education degree in higher education administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He retired from the Air Force in 2005 and has extensive experience in academia, research, community service, and fundraising. Before his current position, he was associate director, William R. Harvey Leadership Institute, and Honors College at Hampton University, VA. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2009. Dr. Taylor has extensive experience in research, service, and fundraising. ANTHONY THOMAS Deputy Inspector General for Intelligence and Special Program Assessments

Anthony Thomas was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2013. He has more than 28 years of experience in the intelligence field. Previously, he served as chief, counterintelligence (CI) policy, and assessments at the Defense CI and Human Intelligence Center, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). In that capacity, he planned, led, and directed assessment of Defense Department counterintelligence enterprise missions, functions, and activities. Before joining DIA, Thomas served in key roles at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and provided intelligence and counterintelligence support regarding weapons of mass destruction. He began his career in 1985 as an Air Force intelligence officer and served in leadership positions at the Strategic Air Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces Europe, Air Staff, and the U.S. Pacific Command. Following military service, he briefly entered the private industry and later joined the federal government in 2005 with a focus on national security and intelligence issues. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Alabama State University and a Master of Business Administration (aviation) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His professional military education includes Joint Doctrine Air Campaign Planning, Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College, and the Air War College.

KEITH THOMAS Director, Air Force Cryptologic Office

Keith Thomas is the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance representative to both the National Security Agency and Central Security Service on Air Force cryptologic matters. As Air Force Cryptologic Office director, he guides the development of Air Force cryptologic strategy and technologies to enhance mission support to signals intelligence and information assurance. He provides oversight and guidance for Air Force cryptologic activities, including missions related to both tactical warfighting and nationallevel operations. Thomas also serves as a technical authority for the Air Force within the NSA on development, signals intelligence, and information security equipment and systems. He was appointed as the chairperson of the Inter-Agency Senior Electronic Intelligence Steering Group by the director of the NSA. Thomas is a 1979 graduate of Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. He received a Master of Business Administration in 1999 from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX and one year later earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base. MARSHALL WILLIAMS Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)

Marshall Williams assumed duties of the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army (manpower and reserve affairs) (ASA (M&RA)) on March 20, 2018, and is temporarily serving as the acting ASA (M&RA). In this position, Williams is responsible for the supervision of manpower, personnel, and reserve component affairs for the Department of the Army and is the principal advisor to the secretary of the Army for policy and performance oversight of human resources, training, readiness,

www.blackengineer.com

MICHAEL WILLIAMS President, Army Logistics University

Michael K. Williams has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since October 2007. Before his assignment as president of the Army Logistics University, he served as the director for supply policy, programs, and processes in the office of the deputy chief of staff, G-4, Department of the Army Headquarters, Washington, D.C. In this position, Williams was responsible for the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of the Army’s national and tactical supply operations and field services. Williams’ previous assignments include executive director, USA Logistics Innovation Agency, deputy to the commander, military surface deployment and Distribution; director, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Transportation Engineering Agency and United States Transportation Command Joint Distribution Process Analysis Center; acting director, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Transportation Engineering Agency; chief, Deployability Division, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Transportation Engineering Agency, Newport News, VA and chief, Engineering and Simulation Technology Branch, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Transportation Engineering Agency, Newport News, VA. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Science degree from the National War College.

www.blackengineer.com

MAX WYCHE Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, Headquarters, U.S. Army Materiel Command

Appointed to the Senior Executive Service in July 2015, Wyche is currently the deputy chief of staff, G-1, for the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC). In this position, he serves as one of the lead players in sustaining, training, and renewing the Materiel Command’s 60,000plus civilian workforce. He directs, controls, and monitors work through two assistant deputies and eight division chiefs with a staff totaling 64 personnel. Before his current assignment, Wyche was the executive director, strategic programs and advisory services, Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Services (DCPAS). DCPAS is aligned under the deputy assistant secretary of defense, civilian personnel policy, and is a component of the Defense Human Resources Activity. Wyche, a member of the Senior Executive Service, was responsible for policies and program development affecting over 800,000 Department of Defense civilian employees. Additionally, he was responsible for the management of programs in civilian senior executive management, leadership, learning and development, strategic analysis and reporting, strategic human capital planning, human capital program assessment, and accountability and enterprise recruiting and outreach.

NEW TO THE SES STACY BROWN Chief, Planning, & Policy Division / Community of Practice U.S. Army Corps of Engineers DOVARIUS L. PEOPLES Director for Corporate Information U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The SES includes most managerial, supervisory, and policy positions classified above General Schedule (GS) grade 15 in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. » The vast majority of SES positions are in the Department of Defense

(Source: Facts About the Senior Executive Service (SES) by Fedweek, 2018)

» The stats below are from OPM’s most recent SES Report:

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE

mobilization, military health affairs, force structure, manpower management, equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity, marketing, and other critical matters. Williams retired from the U.S. Army as the senior enlisted advisor to both the 19th secretary of defense, the Honorable William J. Perry, and the 20th secretary of defense, the Honorable William S. Cohen. In this capacity, he reported directly to the secretary of defense and was instrumental in resolving strategic and operational personnel issues that impacted 1.2 million enlisted service members from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

» Deptartment of the Air Force - 182 » Deptartment of the Army - 261 » Department of the Navy - 326 » Department of Veterans Affairs - 357 » Department of Defense - 478 » Department of Homeland Security - 639 » Gender distribution: » 35.45% female » 64.54% male » 25% of SES members are younger than 49.4 » 78.64% self-identified as not Hispanic/Latino and White; 8.04% as African American; 4.62% as Asian; and 2.95% as Hispanic/ Latino

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

TOP 10 INNOVATIONS

THAT CAME OUT OF THE MILITARY By Tyrone Taborn editors@ccgmag.com

Technology in the military is one of the critical components for allowing the military to carry out its missions. Generally, military technology encompasses the knowledge that is required to construct innovative technology, deploy it in combat, and repair and replenish it (Guilmartin, 2019). Technology has played its part, even though warfare is not a condition that one ought to be gleeful over. The nation that has the best and most advanced military technology is better placed on a battlefield than the with inferior technology. This ideology has been applicable in both past and present times when talking about military tech and weaponry (Willings, 2019). Numerous military technological inventions from both the 20th and 21st centuries have found their way into civilian life. A significant number of these inventions by the military are being applied in various areas in the modern world because they help improve the world. 1. THE INTERNET

Following World War II, programmable computers were becoming popular. There was a need by the United States military to ensure that it developed a reliable network. In 1969, it came up with the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (Winter, 2016). The network was essential because it enabled information sharing and transmission between connected systems. Almost 50 years down the line, the idea has been refined into the World Wide Web and the modern-day internet that is used to enhance communication.

2. DRONES

The technology used to develop drones was invented back in the 1840s, where unmanned bomb-filled balloons were used in acts of war. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles were the first version of drones (Willings, 2019). These were remotely controlled but used in carrying out battlefield survey and deployment in missions that were too dangerous to be carried out by human beings. The same development has been used to model advanced unmanned gadgets that are all over in the sky and used for various purposes.

3. SYNTHETIC RUBBER TIRES The manufacture of vehicle tires using natural rubber was invented in Southeast Asia. After Japan occupied the region during the World War II 76

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

period, the supplies of these tires were cut off from the Allied forces, and this forced them to adapt. The only option to counter the problem was the manufacture of synthetic rubber tires. This technology that was used by the military to invent synthetic tires is the same technology applied in the modern world to manufacture tires.

developed during World War II by the German army. More advances were made in the mid-1940s, where Panther tankers got mounted with rangefinders and night-vision scopes. This military technology would later be used in the civilian world in cameras. The technique is also applied to enhancing safety in modern cars at night.

4. CANNED FOOD

7. FREEZE DRYING

Starvation prevents soldiers from effectively carrying out their duties. The idea of food preservation was invented in the 1800s for supplying to troops. The idea for canned foods came from this idea and was practiced in World War I, where soldiers survived on canned beans, sausages, and pork when food supply was low. In the civilian markets, the technique is now used as a way of preserving staple foods in supermarkets and grocery stores.

5. WALKIE-TALKIES

Communication s crucial in the military. During World War II, the technology of using walkie-talkies was unveiled to be used by tank crews in the provision of communication on the battlefield in a convenient way. The same idea is being used in civilian life in ensuring public safety and can be purchased in various forms for personal use.

6. NIGHT VISION

The first night vision devices were

In 1906, the technique of freeze-drying was invented, and was later used in World War II for the preservation of blood during transportation. It was a medical invention, which was applied in treating wounded soldiers (LEX, 2012). The same technology has advanced to be used in the modern world, where it is involved in the process of manufacturing ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.

8. WEATHER RADAR

During World War II, the technology of radar was advanced by Watson-Watt, which enabled the Allied forces to apply radar in air defense on the battlefield. It was during this period when the operation of radars in making readouts was seen to have been obstructed by weather as it caused echoes. The technology would later be advanced to enable the detection and decoding of scientific data on weather patterns, which allowed those patterns to be predicted. In modern times, weather www.blackengineer.com

2. 6. 1.

7. predictions are made using this technology.

9. MICROWAVES

The discovery of microwave technology was adopted from radar technology during World War II. Radar technician Percy Spencer influenced this development after he noticed that radiation had an effect on food (Willings, 2019). The innovation was applied in homes to cook or reheat foods. It is the same technology that is used in modern times to develop microwaves for home and commercial use.

8. 3.

10. COMPUTERS

The speed of the original computers was improved in the period around World War II. The technology involved the development of Colossusâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; electronic digital programmable computersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;used in cryptography (Willings, 2019). The machine was mostly used in encrypting the messages that Nazis sent. The computers that the Allied forces used to gain the upper hand in the war paved the way for the development of modern digital computers. This same computer technology is used on a large scale in the modern world. As you can see, many military technological inventions made in the past have found their way into modern civilian life. Therefore, the genius inventions that were made to assist in warfare have been embraced in the modern world to better human life. S

www.blackengineer.com

5. 10. USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Gen. Ondra Berry, Adjutant General–Air, Nevada National Guard

US Black Engineer & Information Technology (USBE&IT) magazine launched the maiden issue of Leading Voices (LV) in the fall of 2017. Broken up into three or four columns written by inventors, entrepreneurs, and STEM policymakers, the section spotlights the 14 challenges outlined by the National Academy of Engineering, and disruptors such as artificial intelligence and bioengineering. During its first year, LV has provided perspectives on smart cities, building a weather-ready nation, and where AI is in your future. An auspicious start for one of USBE magazine’s newest sections. Leading Voices is available in print and online at www.blackengineer.com.

Leading Voices Contributing Editors ......................... Gen. Ondra Berry Adjutant General–Air, Nevada National Guard

Rear Admiral (Retired) Sinclair M. Harris United States Navy

General (Retired) Kip Ward United States Army

Diversity Enhances STEM and Innovation T

he need for diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is not only necessary—it’s urgent and long overdue. Throughout my career in law enforcement, the private sector, and the military, I’ve seen improvement in the promotion of diversity and inclusion. I saw it starting my own business, Guardian Quest, a diversity and inclusion and leadership development training company. I saw it working at MGM Resorts in Las Vegas as the senior vice president of diversity and inclusion in charge of internal university.

I also saw it as the director of the office of cultural transformation at the National Guard Bureau. The world has changed, and much of the world has taken notice. Change is inevitable, but growth means adapting in order to position yourself or the organization to meet that change.

According to Wired magazine, 84 percent of working professionals in science and engineering jobs in the U.S. are white or Asian males. This is a staggering statistic given women make up more than half of the total number of undergraduates in U.S. colleges. The numbers dramatically drop for African Americans and Hispanics. Additionally, African-American and Hispanic college students transfer or drop out of STEM programs at a higher rate than their white peers, according to a recent study in the journal Education Researcher, even though data show these students disclose an equal interest in STEM in high school.

The belief among many in STEM fields is that diversity goes against the ideals of

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

In its argument for more diversity in STEM, Scientific American wrote in 2014: “In western cultures, our narratives about science often focus on the singular, ‘brilliant’ scientist who makes substantial contributions through their innate genius — e.g., Albert Einstein or Isaac Newton. However, ‘scientific talent’ is not innate. It is cultivated through many hours of training and effort. Moreover, teams, not individuals, conduct most scientific research...When we consider scientific research as group-problem solving, instead of the unveiling of individual brilliance, diversity becomes key to excellence.”

However, the numbers show that STEM professions remain slow to change.

The pay gap, at least for women, also lags. Annual salaries in STEM-related jobs for women trail men by $15,900.

meritocracy and scientific thought. These ideals promote the notion that scientists, engineers, and other professionals are only as good as the work they produce. While this is true, it’s flawed when applied to the total breadth of work these STEM students and professionals enter.

Diversity is our strength because it brings independent thoughts and differing experiences to the table. It’s imperative—especially for STEM—that everyone has a seat at the table because that’s where our strengths lie.

Diversity and inclusion is one of my five strategic priorities as the Nevada National Guard’s adjutant general. It is a force multiplier centered on performance. To ensure maximum contribution of all our

www.blackengineer.com

Leading Voices airmen, soldiers, and civilians, it is the primary responsibility of all personnel to embrace, support, and bring life to diversity and inclusion. This is an ideal myself and my predecessor in Nevada, Brig. Gen. William Burks, have held for many years now—and it has worked. In 2018, the Nevada National Guard garnered three of the four National Guard Bureau Excellence in Diversity awards at the NGB Diversity and Inclusion workshop held in Little Rock, AR, including best state in the nation for diversity and inclusion excellence. Additionally, the 152nd Airlift Wing in Reno, NV won best Air National Guard unit, and our very own Sgt. First Class Benjamin Pagni won the best individual award on the Army side. More than a year ago, the Nevada Air National Guard stood up its Innovation team, dedicated to deep examination of the organization through measurements of performance and analytics. This program brought diverse ideas of thought to the table for monthly discussions and projects. The Nevada National Guard Innovation team is modeled closely after AFWERX, established by the Secretary of the Air Force in 2017. AFWERX engages multiple communities, including academics, businesses, and military, to foster a culture of innovation. Additionally, the U.S. Army launched its Futures Command in Austin, TX last year with the goal of taking bold steps forward with a focus on STEM initiatives. It’s not easy innovating a large-scale bureaucracy with a penchant for relying on old thought. Gifford Pinchot III coined the term intrapreneurs, or entrepreneurs working within a large organization, in the late 1970s. Pinchot described these intrapreneurs as “dreamers who do… Those who take hands-on responsibility for creating innovation of any kind within a business.” This is exactly what the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the Nevada National Guard are trying to do—promote innovation throughout the ranks. However, this applies across the board,

www.blackengineer.com

not just in large organizations. Diversity and inclusion plays a huge factor in this model. Without diversity and inclusion, the number of potential innovators plummets. How do you maximize potential for innovation, or in the field of STEM, if the organization only includes a handful of innovators? Organization innovation demands participation from the entire force.

independent thoughts and differing experiences to the table. It’s imperative— especially for STEM—that everyone has a seat at the table because that’s where our strengths lie. For any organization that wants to grow and excel in the areas of diversity and inclusion, I conclude with three suggestions:

•

Lead from the front with clarity, transparency, and accountability. Make it about commitment versus compliance. Ensure that your priorities are clear and involve the entire organization. Look for areas where inclusion isn’t a priority. Who is being left out? What isn’t being prioritized? Is there diversity at all levels? Diversity and inclusion isn’t about counting heads. It’s about ensuring that all heads count. That is critical to accountability.

•

Tell your organization’s story. People want to be part of an organization that has a history of embracing diversity and inclusion. Is your organization seen as being active in the social consciousness? Does your organization provide opportunities for individuals to grow mentally, physically, and emotionally? Can new employees see themselves as learning their purpose and building upon the great history and legacy of the organization?

•

And finally, pay attention to your culture. Culture is a collective experience and thought process. It is the consistent behaviors—or inconsistent behaviors that aren’t being met—that drive the success of your organization. Leadership provides the ability to inspire people to get results. This is why it’s critical to have a culture at the Nevada National Guard where we work to ensure we take care of the workforce so that the workforce can accomplish the mission with excellence. It is vital and important that our leadership embody the behaviors that we expect of our airmen, soldiers, and civilians. S

This continues to pose a hindrance for STEM professions.

The belief among many in STEM fields is that diversity goes against the ideals of meritocracy and scientific thought. These ideals promote the notion that scientists, engineers, and other professionals are only as good as the work they produce. While this is true, it’s flawed when applied to the total breadth of work these STEM students and professionals enter.

If women comprise half the population of the nation, but only 16 percent of those working as professionals in STEM, there’s a massive untapped pool of potential innovators among us. The same goes for race, class, education, rank (in the military), and differences in thought. Diversity is our strength because it brings

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

Rear Admiral (Retired) Sinclair M. Harris, United States Navy

Diversity and Inclusion in America’s Sea Power Keys to Stronger National Security I have a strong passion for the sea services and the importance of America maintaining its sea power. I firmly believe the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines, as well as the NOAA and U.S. Public Health Service, are critically important providers of our nation’s security during peace and war across the spectrum of operation. As well articulated in the National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy, American sea power and our nation’s security are at great risk. The challenges are coming from a range of environmental factors such as severe weather and climate change, along with international competitors such as Russia and China.

officers to their middle grades (O-1 to O-4) so that a pipeline of candidates are available/competitive to become senior officers (O-5 and O-6). Because the current pipeline is so thin, it is very easy for the powers that be to dismiss the issue with the excuse that there are not enough qualified candidates. In no way am I suggesting we put unqualified people in positions or set people up to fail in their professions. However, there are three functions I believe are absolutely necessary in order for new talent to succeed.

Addressing this complex geostrategic environment requires America to draw on the most talented and resilient people to serve in the sea services, NOAA, and PHS. The only way America is going to prevail in a time of great change and competition will be to maintain the most talented corps of officers, senior enlisted, enlisted, and civilian men and women possible to address the myriad challenges that run the gamut from cyberspace to the bottom of the sea.

A sense of urgency is

But we’re failing. We’re failing to capture a sufficient amount of diverse talent, create an inclusive environment, or build the sense of belonging that is needed to win the war for talent. Also, we have become less diverse, especially in the officer corps. A sense of urgency is needed to drive change for reasons of national security. These problems need to be addressed as a strategic imperative, not because it’s a nice thing to do. We can defend our nation properly with the highest efficacy only if we increase diversity and inclusion across and throughout our leadership. How can we achieve this? Three lines of effort come to mind: 1) Increased focus on recruitment of underrepresented minorities, 2) Greater efforts to retain minorities recruited into officer programs, 3) Improved development of young

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

needed to drive change for reasons of national security. These problems need to be addressed as a strategic imperative, not because it’s a nice thing to do. We can defend our nation properly with the highest efficacy only if we increase diversity and inclusion across and throughout our leadership.

First, there is a great need for more mentors. It is imperative that new officers have someone they can talk to, bounce ideas off of, gain knowledge, and express their thoughts and feelings. Next, they need coaching. Coaches can help them make tough decisions that may aid new talent on their paths to success. Coaches won’t necessarily tell their players things they want to hear. Rather, coaches can

push them to do things they may not want or know how to do to ensure their players are better prepared. Finally, new professionals need champions in the decision meetings, boardrooms, and C-suites advocating for them. These advocates are typically the champions for the people that they have mentored and coached along the way. The Rooney Rule in the NFL has often been cited as a systematic way to infuse advocacy for diversity in the coaching ranks. CNO Elmo Zumwalt and CNO Mike Mullens are two leaders who did the same inside the Navy. More champions are needed today to address the stagnation in progress toward building an officer corps that reflects the rich diversity of our nation. I hope this message resonates with several demographics. I want young military officers to transcend the trend of completing five years and opting out and recognize that there is a place for them in higher ranks. We need highly skilled people of color to rise to the occasion and seek out mentors, coaches, and champions to help them along their journey. The security of our nation is vital, and the work they do is a critical to our nation’s defense. Public service (in uniform or as a government civilian) is challenging, exciting, rewarding, and worth pursuing. I also hope this resonates with senior leadership. It would be great if flag and general officers asked, “Am I doing enough in the advocacy role for a diverse group of young men and women? Who am I advocating for? What do my mentees look like? Who are the people I’ve been coaching? Can I do a better job? Am I good at picking people who don’t look like me?” There are many needs in addressing our nation’s security and growing challenges to America’s place in the world. Taking on the need for a more inclusive and diverse officer corps will go a long way in producing a more innovative and resilient force. S

www.blackengineer.com

General (Retired) Kip Ward, United States Army

Leading Voices

Effective Leadership: Teambuilding for Success in Complex and Technical Environments A s I think about what effective leadership is and what it means in building successful teams in complex technical environments, I consider my career in the military. Having been a soldier for over 40 years, my culminating assignment was standing up the United States Africa Command as its inaugural commander. That had never been done before. I had no blueprint, resource book, or professional to ask how the job should be done. I had to ask myself, “How do leaders cause success to be realized and known by the organization they have been charged to lead?”

The answer is not so foreign that only a few people understand it. There are countless leaders who have led and been successful at it, and there are others who are maturing into that role. As we look at the various components of leadership— and there’s a laundry list of those— many take the list and commit to doing everything to the letter. Yet, there are only very few things you need to understand and implement to be a good leader. The first thing you need to know as a leader is this: Every member of the team is essential and important to its success. It doesn’t matter what function they have. You, as a leader, must know and understand your people. You must believe that each member of that team is important. This is the gateway to respect, one of the most important components of any working relationship. Leaders don’t demand respect; they give respect. In giving that respect, good leaders receive it in return. When I retired from my 40 years in the military, I did what many retired military generals do: I became a consultant. One of the company owners I worked with approached me after four months of working with his company. He explained that his board of advisers indicated that he needed to approach me and ask if I would consider being the president of the company. Understand that I’m an infantryman. I commanded platoons, battalions, a brigade, and a division. I

www.blackengineer.com

was a three-star NATO commander with 24 different nations represented at my command. I knew how to lead, but this company that I joined? It was an engineering company!

The first thing you need to know as a leader is this: Every member of the team is essential and important to its success. It doesn’t matter what function they have. You, as a leader, must know and understand your people. You must believe that each member of that team is important. This is the gateway to respect, one of the most important components of any working relationship. Leaders don’t demand respect; they give respect. In giving that respect, good leaders receive it in return.

A former colleague once said to me, “Sir, you’re not an engineer! What do you know about being the president of an engineering company?” My answer was simple: I understand how to guide professionals to do what they’re supposed to do and allow them to have fun doing it. I know how to facilitate a sense of interdependence throughout the team,

not for themselves but for the sake of their teammates. As a leader, you can do that as you get to know who your people are. Spend time with them. Value what they do and listen to them. Do those things, and they will know you respect what they do. As you assemble your diverse group of professionals, build your organization, and split up responsibilities. Consider how you coalesce the energy and excitement of your team so that you’re all marching toward a common objective. Those are the things that leaders do. They realize they may not necessarily be the smartest person in the group. They may not be the most efficient across the entire panoply of activities. However, a good leader is okay with that because it brings a set and separate purpose for everyone on the team. This goes back to the philosophy that everyone is important and needed. As a leader, I may not know how to do everyone’s job. I’m not supposed to! If I knew how to do your job, I wouldn’t need you. The reality is I may not know your job, but I should know enough about it to know what I need you to do. And, as a leader, I will support you as you seek to do your job well. This is reciprocal respect that leaders should have. Finally, as a leader, you may sometimes make mistakes. Sometimes things may not go the way you want them to go. Good leaders acknowledge their failings and shortcomings, change course, and move forward. They motivate their team to do the same. Humility is the forerunner of respect, and it will take you far as a leader. Show concern so that those with whom you work know that you truly care and that you appreciate them for what they bring to the team, both in successes and lessons learned. Being a leader is fun, but it works. When everything comes together, though, there is nothing more rewarding. Continue to be great, dedicated leaders, and inspire the same in your team. S

USBE & Information Technology | WINTER 2019

40% According to CBcampus.com Survey

of hiring managers would hire college interns for full-time, permanent positions.

Let us help you! The CCG JobMatch internship program connects and places diverse students and recent graduates with top STEM employers that offer invaluable work opportunities and experiences. If you are ready to jump-start your career, visit

www.ccgjobmatch.com

Career Communications Group, Inc. | 729 East Pratt St., Suite 504 | Baltimore, MD 21202 | (410) 244-7101 | www.ccgmag.com

Defining tomorrow with today’s leaders Lockheed Martin salutes our military and veteran community. We know that inclusion drives success. Diverse backgrounds, experiences and points of view help us create incredible work, solve customer’s toughest challenges and engineer solutions around

the world. We don’t know what’s going to change the world next. But we’re probably already working on it. Learn more at lockheedmartin.com/diversity

VC18-23838

ARMY CIVILIAN CAREERS IN STEM Interested in STEM? Join the Army Civilian team and develop and work with cutting-edge technology to support Soldiers and protect and preserve our Nation. Be a part of something bigger. Visit goarmy.com/civilian for more info.