WESS Assumption of Charter

Project Manager, Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (PM DCATS) COL Charles Stein hosted an Assumption of Charter ceremony on June 4 at Fort Belvoir, Va., to officially recognize the change in leadership for the Product Director Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (WESS). Product Manager (PdM) LTC Samuel Ancira, who has led PdM WESS since it was chartered in September 2012, relinquished responsibility for the program. Coinciding with LTC Ancira’s departure, the Army redesignated the WESS charter from Product Manager (PdM) to Product Director (PD).

Mr. Michael McGarvey, assumed the new charter for Product Director Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (PD WESS) at the ceremony.

WESS is the Army’s manager for acquisition, development and modernization of enterprise satellite communication systems and state-of-the-art satellite network control systems. WESS systems integrate into a system-of-systems architecture supporting strategic communications infrastructure, Presidential communications, the Defense Information Systems Network, Army LandWarNet, the Ballistic Missile Defense System, and tactical reach-back for deployed forces.

LTC Ancira was selected to be the first Product Manager for PdM WESS when it was chartered to provide management and control support for Wideband Control and Satellite Control Systems programs. Under LTC Ancira’s leadership, WESS continued support of the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) launches while simultaneously achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET) program. Both programs provide critical satellite communications capability to diverse customers worldwide ranging from the Oval Office to the Soldier’s foxhole to international partners.

In recognition of LTC Ancira’s accomplishments during his tenure as PdM WESS, COL Stein presented LTC Ancira the Meritorious Service Medal and the Signal Corps Regimental Association’s Bronze Order of Mercury.

LTC Ancira departs PM DCATS for the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) at Fort Sill, Okla., to the position of Military Deputy for Capability Manager – Fires (TCM-Fires).

“LTC Ancira has done a great job of leading and managing PdM WESS from its formation through to today bringing together programs and teams into one cohesive mission,” said COL Stein. “LTC Ancira has had a positive impact on this organization and touched a lot of the folks here, and the organization definitely had an impact on him.”

Mr. McGarvey has been Deputy Product Manager WESS at Fort Belvoir since 2013.

“Mr. McGarvey was selected for his deep knowledge of wideband satellite communications from nearly a decade of experience working with wideband satellite systems,” said COL Stein. “He was carefully selected and is well-qualified to lead PD WESS forward.”

LTC Joel Babbitt, Product Manager, Warfighter Information Network – Tactical Increment 1 (WIN-T Increment 1), is selected to be the next PD WESS. LTC Babbitt will assume the charter for PD WESS in August 2015.