GCSS-Army hosts change of charter and retirement

On Aug. 2, 2019, Col. R.J. Mikesh, the project manager for Army Enterprise Systems Integration Program, hosted a change of charter ceremony for Global Combat Support System - Army (GCSS-Army) at Wylie Hall on Fort Lee, Virginia. Lt. Col. Preston J. Hayward, after serving three years as the product manager (PdM), turned over responsibility for the $4
billion GCSS-Army program to Lt. Col. William A. Reker.

Reker, a member of the Army Acquisition Corps, most recently served as deputy for the Command, Power and Integration directorate at the Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He looks forward to serving the Army in acquisition and logistics as the new PdM of GCSS-Army.

During the change of charter ceremony, Mikesh reviewed the GCSS-Army team’s accomplishments under Hayward’s leadership. Highlights included completing the largest
enterprise resource planning implementation in the Army’s history; planning and starting the execution of the transition of sustainment of the GCSS-Army solution; moving the product management office’s facility from an off-post, leased building to a permanent headquarters at Fort Lee; and establishing a successful community outreach program with local schools.

Following the change of charter ceremony, Mikesh hosted Hayward’s retirement. In his introductory comments, Mikesh highlighted the outgoing PdM’s accomplishments, spanning
30 years in the Army. Recognizing his achievements, Hayward was presented with the Ancient Order of Saint Christopher Award, the Legion of Merit Award, the Presidential Certificate
of Appreciation, and the certificate of retirement. In Hayward’s farewell and acceptance address, he acknowledged that he began and ended his career at Fort Lee, and expressed his gratitude for Fort Lee’s imprint on his work ethic.

Following the ceremonies, Reker and his family hosted a reception with refreshments for attendees. Congratulations to Hayward on his retirement, and Reker on his new assignment!