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John Howell assumed the position of chief of staff at PEO EIS in July 2022. In that capacity, he is responsible for overseeing many of the organization’s day-to-day operations and initiatives.
Previously, Howell served as assistant program executive officer (APEO) for Networks, Cyber and Services at EIS, where he oversaw the organization’s Enterprise Information Environment Mission Area. Specifically, he was responsible for overseeing three project offices focused on network modernization, defensive cyber operations and enterprise services, as well as for helping spearhead EIS’ integrated enterprise network activities in support of the Army’s Unified Network.
From June to October 2021, Howell completed a 120-day developmental assignment as acting deputy program executive officer for EIS. In that position, he was responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of 36 program offices and 71 acquisition programs that support and field Army and Department of Defense communications, logistics, medical, finance, personnel, training and procurement systems for every domain, branch, unit and Soldier in the Army.
Prior to becoming APEO in September 2019, Howell was the PEO Soldier lead for Adaptive Squad Architecture (ASA), which is a line of effort under the Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System project. He took the ASA lead role after serving for 28 months as the project director for Soldier Systems and Integration, where his responsibilities included managing the integration mission across the PEO, Soldier Power, Tactical Communications and Protective System, and the Soldier Enhancement Program.
Before his tenure at Soldier, Howell was assigned as product director for Enterprise Content Collaboration and Messaging at EIS. In that position, he was responsible for Army Knowledge Online, the Army’s enterprise email, the Army’s Unified Capabilities acquisition and several other enterprise services.
Prior to that, he was the product director for Enterprise Email. His team, along with NETCOM and DISA, conducted the initial deployment to provide 1.4 million Army users with email — both classified and unclassified.
Before becoming a government civilian, Howell served for 23 years on active duty in the Army in a variety of assignments, including 10 years as an Army acquisition officer. During that time, he served as product manager for the Defense Message System at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Previously, he was assigned as the acting product manager for Area Processing Centers.
Howell earned a Bachelor of Arts in geology and mathematics from Pomona College in Claremont, California and a Master of Science in industrial engineering from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. His military training includes: Operations Research and Systems Analysis Military Applications Course, Command and General Staff College and the Program Managers’ Course.
Howell is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and holds an advanced Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certification in Program Management, a practitioner certification in Engineering and Technical Management, and a foundational certification in Contracting. His personal and unit awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Ranger Tab and Airborne Wings.