PEO EIS holds change of charter and retirement ceremonies

Ross Guckert, program executive officer (PEO) for U.S. Army Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS) since May 2020, passed the reins of leadership to incoming PEO William (Bill) Hepworth in a Jan. 19 change of charter ceremony at the Pentagon. The event was immediately followed by a retirement ceremony for Guckert, who left federal service after a distinguished 34-year career as an Army civilian. 

As the charter ceremony’s host, the Hon. Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, presented the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal to Guckert on behalf of Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth. Bush also accepted the PEO EIS flag from Guckert and passed it to Hepworth, signifying the official change of command responsibility. 

Describing EIS as a central element of the Army’s digital transformation, Bush credited Guckert with leading during a time of great change and leaving a legacy of success, including the rollout of the Army’s 21st century talent management system — the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army.  

“Enterprise information systems usually happen and run behind the scenes,” said Bush. “Those of us who aren’t using them every day don’t think about them, but they affect all of us — how we get paid, how we run the Army, how we collect data, how we make sure that the basic functions of the Army happen. That’s the mission of EIS … Someone has to do the difficult, diligent work to do these things well, to make them secure, so they can do what they need to do for the Army, so the Army can do what the nation requires of it. And that’s a huge task and a huge responsibility.” 

Bush, who serves as the Army Acquisition Executive, welcomed Hepworth to his new role, highlighting his extensive private sector experience and past year of helping lead EIS as deputy PEO.  

“Mr. Hepworth’s deep knowledge of IT and industry best practices will ensure he continues the PEO’s tradition of technical expertise and strong and effective leadership,” said Bush. 

For his part, Hepworth said he was impressed at how EIS began making a difference in the speed of acquisition and achieving program successes in the past year under Guckert. 

“The most amazing thing,” said Hepworth, “is that despite all the change, he managed to achieve ever-climbing command climate ratings.” 

Hepworth said he was committed to continuing to help the EIS workforce grow and deliver and improve upon the organization’s acquisition capabilities. 

Following a brief intermission after the charter ceremony, Guckert’s retirement ceremony got underway with Lt. Gen. Robert Marion (Ret.), the former principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, serving as officiant. Marion presented Guckert with the Award for Outstanding Service in the Army Senior Executive Service (SES), which Guckert had been appointed to in 2007. 

Marion noted that Guckert provided around 15 years of executive-level leadership to ASA(ALT) and the Army during his service at four different program executive offices. 

“I don’t know that we’ve ever had anyone who’s had that much executive-level experience across ASA(ALT) and that many formations,” said Marion. 

Marion also recognized Guckert for his “superpowers,” including stakeholder management, capacity and commitment to fitness, faith and family. 

In his parting remarks, Guckert thanked many colleagues, mentors, family members and friends for their support over the years; reminisced about his early days as an Army civilian; and credited the EIS workforce with making many of his early plans for the organization come true. Those plans included aiming at the right target, maintaining a culture of dignity, setting an example for others and being a learning organization. 

While Guckert hasn’t yet settled on his next role, he’s committed to continuing his legacy of service. 

“I know wherever I land, I’ll still be serving my country — working hard to do my part to make our Army and DOD the most premier fighting force in the history of the world,” he said.