Assumption of Charter Ceremony Ushers in New Leadership for WESS

Project Manager, Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (PM DCATS) COL Charles Stein hosted an Assumption of Charter ceremony on August 14, 2015 at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to officially recognize the change in leadership for the Product Director Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (PD WESS). The incoming PD WESS, LTC Joel Babbitt, accepted responsibility for the program from the outgoing PD WESS, Mr. Michael McGarvey.

WESS is the Army’s manager for the acquisition, development and modernization of wideband 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 strategic reach-back for deployed forces.

“LTC Babbitt’s aggressive, perseverant approach to challenges and laser-focused dedication to every mission he undertakes will be an invaluable asset to the WESS program during his tenure,” said COL Stein.

COL Stein presented the Civilian Achievement Medal to the outgoing product manager, Mr. Mike McGarvey, in recognition of his leadership and accomplishments during his tenure as PD WESS. “Nothing happens if it isn’t for the team and the family that we have with the employees, contractors, and matrix support folks in PD WESS and PM DCATS,” Mr. McGarvey said. “The support is phenomenal and they’re always highly motivated to make the mission happen for the Army. And each and every one of them gives 100%. Everybody makes it happen every day.” Mr. McGarvey continues with PD WESS, returning to the post of Deputy Product Director which he held prior to selection to serve a short assignment as PD WESS.

“I have already seen in the PD WESS team a team of dedicated professionals that know what they’re doing and have a stellar reputation throughout the community; both the strategic signal community as well as the acquisition community,” said LTC Babbitt.

LTC Babbitt comes to PM DCATS from the Program Executive Office Command Control Communications Tactical (PEO C3T) where he served for three years as Product Manager, Warfighter Information Network – Tactical Increment 1 (PdM WIN-T Increment 1). As PdM WIN-T Increment 1, LTC Babbitt introduced WiFi to the tactical Army and enroute communications to the Global Response Force. Prior to that, LTC Babbitt was the Product Manager for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PdM C4I) for a unit under the United States Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was responsible for funding, developing, acquiring, fielding, and sustaining all communications and intelligence support systems and capabilities for the US Military’s most elite units.