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Presidential Rank awardees save Army $20 billion

By C. Todd Lopez

WASHINGTON (Oct. 05, 2017) -- A total of 13 Army senior executives were recognized as being the best among the best, June 28, during the Army's presentation of the 2016 Presidential Rank Awards at the Pentagon.

Those 13 senior civilians, said Robert M. Speer, who was serving as acting secretary of the Army at the time, have nearly 140 years of experience among them.

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Together, as part of the efforts they each made to be recognized with a Presidential Rank award, they found cost savings for the Army of some $20 billion dollars, Speer said. They additionally implemented a reduction in energy consumption Army-wide of 8.2 percent, a reduction of water usage by 18.6 percent, and a reduction in petroleum usage by 38 percent. Also among their achievements was $33 million in humanitarian projects across 63 nations. "Almost everywhere we are at," Speer said.

Speer said civilians have a long history of service to the Army.

"I found that Army civilians have been here as long as the Army has," Speer said "You can trace them all the way back to the Revolutionary War, and their contributions to our military since then."

What he found most important, he said, are civilian contributions to the war fight. He said warfighting readiness across the total force is not just a product of uniformed Soldiers, but of civilians as wall.

"Civilian control and political leadership is extremely important, but senior executive service, in terms of their leadership, commitment, and guidance direction for the mission, is what this is all about," he said of the significance of the Presidential Rank awards.

The Fiscal Year 2016 Presidential Rank awards recognize senior executive service members in two categories: "distinguished" and "meritorious." Only 1 percent of SES members are eligible to earn a distinguished-level award, while only 5 percent will earn the meritorious-level award.

"Again, the cream of the crop in terms of the senior executive service," Speer said. "So congratulations to all of you, it has been an honor to have recognized your service ... and to be a part of this great Army team. Congratulations to all of you -- well done."

Distinguished Executive Rank recipients included:

-- Lloyd C. Caldwell Jr., director of military programs; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

-- Krystyna M. Kolesar, deputy director, Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate; Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8

-- Levator Norsworthy Jr., senior career official performing the duties of the general counsel; Office of the General Counsel

Meritorious Executive Rank recipients included:

-- Richard G. Kidd IV, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for strategic integration; Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment

-- Robert L. Moore, deputy to the commanding general; U.S. Army Security Assistance Command

-- Diane M. Randon, senior career official performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs

-- Karl F. Schneider, senior career official performing the duties of the under secretary of the Army

-- Anthony J. Stamilio, retired, served as deputy assistant secretary of the Army for military personnel and quality of life; Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs

Meritorious Senior Professional Rank recipients included:

-- Augustus W. Fountain III, senior research scientist in chemistry; U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center; U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command

-- Rickey E. Smith, senior professional for training and doctrine, G-9 (engagement); Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9 (engagement); U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

The Meritorious Rank Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service recipient was:

-- Thomas F. Greco, deputy chief of staff for intelligence; Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2; U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

Meritorious Rank Defense Intelligence Senior Level recipients included

-- Dr. Michael R. Rosene, chief scientist; Office of the Commander, National Ground Intelligence Center

-- Richard H. Saddler, special advisor for operations; Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3; U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command

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