by Rachel Longarzo
WASHINGTON (March 13, 2026) – Excellence, innovation and leadership took center stage at the Pentagon on March 4, 2025, as the Army celebrated the remarkable achievements of its acquisition workforce. The 2025 Army Acquisition Executive’s (AAE) Excellence in Leadership Awards honored the teams and individuals whose dedication and innovative spirit are crucial in providing Soldiers with a decisive edge. The awards highlight the professionals who bridge the gap between concept and capability, ensuring the U.S. Army remains ahead in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Their work is fundamental to the strength and readiness of the entire force.
Hosted by the Honorable Brent G. Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology and Army acquisition executive, the event moved beyond simple recognition. It was a testament to the forward-thinking leadership and tireless effort that occurs behind the scenes. In his opening remarks, Ingraham said “you are being recognized because your work made a real difference. You delivered capability, improved how we operate, strengthened teams and solved problems that needed solving. That is what this enterprise exists to do.”
In addition to these awards, another key part of the ceremony was the presentation of the Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene Awards for Acquisition Writing. Now in its 12th year, this competition fosters a culture of intellectual leadership and shared knowledge across the acquisition community. Named in tribute to the late Maj. Gen. Greene, the award encourages deep thinking on acquisition reform, future operations and innovation, preserving his legacy of service and commitment to the field. In acknowledging the winners, Ingraham stated “their scholarship and insight help shape how we think about acquisition, leadership and modernization—and they carry forward a legacy of thoughtful professional discourse that strengthens the entire enterprise.”
The awards ceremony provided a moment to reflect on the immense talent within the acquisition workforce and its direct impact on the warfighter. “When Soldiers succeed in their mission, it is because capabilities were designed, tested, delivered and sustained by this workforce,” Ingraham said.
Watch the full ceremony here and to learn more about the AAE Awards, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/aae-awards.
2025 AAE Award Winners:
Acquisition Career Support Professional of the Year Maj. Jon Wineinger; Portfolio Acquisition Executive C2 and Counter C2
Business Operations Professional of the Year Award Jennifer Scafone; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Layered Protection Plus Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear
Defense Export and Cooperation Journeyman of the Year Award Mark Poplin; Portfolio Acquisition Executive C2 and Counter C2
Defense Export and Cooperation Professional of the Year Award Brian Etu; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires
Logistician of the Year Award LaVern White; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires
Engineering and Technical Management Professional of the Year Award Marc Busala; Portfolio Acquisition Executive C2 and Counter C2
Digital Transformation Professional of the Year Award Thomas Aitken; Portfolio Acquisition Executive C2 and Counter C2
Test and Evaluation Professional of the Year Award William Black; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires
Product Management/Product Director Office Professional of the Year Award (O5 Level) Lt. Col. Hassan Kamara; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires
Project Management/Project Director Office Professional of the Year Award (O6 Level) Col. Christopher Hill; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires
Contracting Professional of the Year Award Chris Kay; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District Michelle LaBouyer; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District
Barbara C. Heald Deployed Contracting Civilian Award Edward Boddie; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
Outstanding Grants or Agreements Professional of the Year Award Karlsun Allen; Army Contracting Command, New Jersey
Construction Services Contracting Professional of the Year Award Walter Love III; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Innovation in Contracting Strategies Individual or Organization Award Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground
Product Management/Product Director Office Team of the Year Award (O5 Level) Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Product Office; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires
Project Management/Project Director Office Team of the Year Award (O6 Level) Strategic and Operational Rockets and Missiles (STORM) Project Management Team; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires
Test Organization of the Year Award Zombie Targets; U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command
Contracting Team of the Year Award Hurricane Helene Contracting Response Team; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
Science and Technology Professional of the Year Joseph Patterson; U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center
Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory (STRL) of the Year U.S. Army Research Laboratory; U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
Science and Technology Team Technology Transition Achievement Life Cycle Pilot Process Team; Portfolio Acquisition Executive Agile Sustainment and Ammo
2025 Major General Harold J. “Harry” Greene Writing Award Winners:
Acquisition Reform
Winning Piece: “Rewriting the Playbook: Building Allied Readiness Through Cooperative Purchasing in the Indo-Pacific Region” Author: Tony E. Reed, 411th Contracting Support Brigade – Camp Humphreys, Korea
Honorable Mention: “Acquisition Reform – Renovating the Requirements Process” Author: Dale A. Ormond, Ormond Consulting LLC
Future Operations
Winning Piece: “Transforming the Army Acquisition Corps Approach to Leader Development” Authors: Anthony J. Cortese, Maj. Nathaniel J. LaSorba, Maj. James A. Salerno, Cpt. Robert J. Kitch and Sgt. 1st Class Andrew S. Procter, Capability Program Executive Ground (formerly Program Executive Office Soldier)
Honorable Mention: “AI in Contracting” Author: Matthew R. Jewell, Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal
Innovation
Winning Piece: “Lean-Agile Configuration and Change Management: Maintaining Structure and Process While Embracing Agile and Being Responsive to Change at the Speed of Relevance” Author: Kelly A. Rutherford, Capability Program Executive Enterprise Software and Services
Honorable Mention: “What’s the big I.D.E.A? The G-TEAD process for innovation” Authors: Lt. Col. Edwin L. Kolen, Maj. Lee Whitfield, Maj. Robert E. Davis, Traci B. Williams, Maj. Joshua K. McMillion, Meghan M. Murphy Ruddick and Maj. Joseph Cody Lucas, Capability Program Executive Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense
Lessons Learned
Winning Piece: “Rewriting the Future: How the Shift to Agile is Shaping Army Contracting” Author: Lt. Col. Camille N. Morgan, Capability Program Executive Enterprise Software and Services
Honorable Mention: “Data-Driven Sustainment: Leveraging Big Data and Predictive Analytics for Army Supply Chain Resilience” Author: Ashley V. Collins, U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command