2013 AFLCMC Program Management Awards announced

  • Published
  • By Justin Oakes
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Program managers and test personnel throughout the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center gathered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for the announcement of the 2013 Acquisition Management Award winners Oct. 30.

This year, two Airmen from Hanscom beat out their competition and brought home awards; Lt. Col. Kenneth L. Decker Jr. and Jennifer Cronin -- both lauded for their efforts in the program management field - just so happen to come from the same branch in the Space, Aerial and Nuclear Networks Division.

"These two acquisition management superstars possess all the skills for success," said Bob Kurker, Nuclear Command and Control Branch chief. "It's also a testament of how their two programs are so very essential to the NC3 mission."

Cronin, who currently serves as the Airborne Warning and Control System Next Generation Identification Friend or Foe, or NGIFF, deputy program manager, was elated to receive the Outstanding Program Management Trainee Award.

"I didn't think that out of all of LCMC, I would get it - it's very rewarding," said Cronin.

For 19 months, Cronin's efforts poured into the Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communication Network Program Upgrade, otherwise known as MEECN and MMPU, before she was promoted to her new role in another department as a deputy program manager in February.

"She rapidly transitioned with an instant impact," said Kari Perez, Cronin's supervisor. "We are extremely fortunate to have her working in our branch."

Some of Cronin's contributions that earned her recognition include tackling a recovery plan deep dive, which resulted in regaining 30 days back on path and also developing a memorandum of agreement between the NGIFF program office, 552nd Air Control Wing, an operations group detachment and Air Combat Command for the use of aircraft during developmental testing.

Her MMPU efforts as the production/deployment lead included being a key member of the NC3 Communications Installation and Sustainment Support Contract source selection team and eliminating legacy operations issues. She also authored the fielding plan and synchronized install requirements across two major commands and seven organizations guaranteeing system installation for more than 50 nuclear warfighting sites.

However, Cronin wasn't the only one who racked up a win for Hanscom.

Decker, the program manager for the Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal or Global ASNT, took home the Journeyman Program Management Award.

"Frankly, I was surprised to receive such an award at this level," said Decker. "However, I can't take sole credit; I definitely consider this a team award."

Although it was a surprise to Decker, it wasn't to his leadership or his 45-member team.

"Kenny Decker is an outstanding program manager," said Col. Anthony Genatempo, Space, Aerial and Nuclear Networks Division chief. "His leadership is an essential ingredient of the success enjoyed by the entire team. From the solid systems engineering work by the tech team, through the proposal evaluation and source selection phase, Kenny has hit every mark with great detail and confidence. The Milestone B decision to proceed with contract award was incredibly smooth, and I am looking forward to kicking off the development and production of this much- needed capability with Lieutenant Colonel Decker at the helm."

The Global ASNT program is responsible for engineering and sustaining nuclear command and control terminals - secure, survivable ground terminals at wing command posts that receive emergency action messages, which are then disseminated to bomber, tanker and reconnaissance aircrews for action.

A few of Decker's accolades that contributed to his recognition include extensive work during the pre-contract phase of the program, a phase where clarifying and simplifying requirements are essential in producing the end terminal product on cost and on schedule. The program's capabilities development document was approved by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council in June. Also, his team successfully achieved coordination and approval to release a request for proposal and conduct a source selection --- key components leading to the anticipated contract award of the program's first increment in a few weeks.

In addition to the two Hanscom recipients, another winner was named who belongs to the Battle Management Directorate here, but resides at Offutt AFB, Neb.

George Beck, the program manager for the Integrated Strategic Planning and Analysis Network, or ISPAN, garnered the Journeyman Program Manager Award for category 1.

"I am honored to be selected for such an award," said Beck.

While there are many contributions that led to Beck's recognition, a few of them include managing two nuclear planning cutovers encompassing hundreds of software changes to 16 separate applications, directing five ISPAN contract recompete efforts valued at $200 million and leading a spiral delivery and successful initial operational test and evaluation, which resulted in initial operational capability.

"In order for the Air Force to maintain superiority in the battle management arena, it requires significant contributions and dedication from our members - members such as George Beck," said Steve Wert, Battle Management program executive officer. "I highly value the excellent work performed by the ISPAN team at Offutt."

The Acquisition Management Awards, comprised of 12 different categories, were established to recognize outstanding achievements in the fields of program management and test and evaluation. The awards program provides a pre-eminent opportunity for formal, high visibility recognition at the center level.

"It's the hard work and dedication of people like Lieutenant Colonel Decker and Ms. Jennifer Cronin, which makes AFLCMC such a powerful contributor in today's Air Force," said Maj. Gen. Craig Olson, C3I and Networks program executive officer. "I feel extremely blessed to have such talented Airmen here playing such a key role in today's fight."