The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber presented the annual Redstone Update on Dec. 8, 2021. Here are bios and presentations from each of the panelists and speakers. We’ve linked a PDF of their slide presentations below their name.
Lieutenant General Flem B. “Donnie” Walker
Lieutenant General Flem B. “Donnie” Walker
View LTG Walker’s Luncheon Slides
Lieutenant General Flem B. “Donnie” Walker assumed duties as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command on 2 July 2020. In his role, he is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Army’s logistics enterprise. He also serves as the Senior Commander of Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
Lieutenant General Walker previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations, G-3, U. S. Army Materiel Command, where he executed Army Materiel Command’s mission to deliver strategic, operational and tactical readiness.
He served as Commander of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command with duties as Deputy Commanding General-Sustainment, U. S. Army Central.
Lieutenant General Walker’s other previous assignments include Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, U.S. Forces Command; Commanding General, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and 1st Theater Sustainment Command (Forward – Afghanistan); Director for the Strategy and Integration Directorate, G-4/5/7, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4; Executive Officer to the Army Materiel Command Deputy Commanding General; Commander of the 1st Sustainment Brigade and Chief of Staff, 1st Infantry Division; Director, Maintenance and Logistics Division, Center for Strategic Leadership; and Commander of the 225th Forward Support Battalion and Division G-4, 25th Infantry Division.
Lieutenant General Walker deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II, Operation NEW DAWN, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT.
Lieutenant General Walker was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps upon his graduation from Auburn University in 1987. He earned Master’s Degrees in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, and Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army War College.
His awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He has also earned the Senior Parachutist, Air Assault, Parachute Rigger and Joint Staff Identification Badges.
BG Walter Duzzny
Chief of Staff, Army Materiel Command Assistant Deputy Commanding General for the U.S. Army Reserve
BG Walter Duzzny
Chief of Staff, Army Materiel Command
Brigadier General Walter M. Duzzny became the U.S. Army Materiel Command Chief of Staff and Assistant Deputy Commanding General for the U.S. Army Reserve in August 2021.
A native of Ohio, Brigadier General Duzzny was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1989 after graduating from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He also holds a Masters in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Brigadier General Duzzny’s previous General Officer assignments include Commanding General of the 78th Training Division (Operations); U.S. Northern Command senior representative to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army North and Director, Army Reserve Engagement Cell.
His active duty assignments include Rifle Platoon Leader in 3-502nd Infantry, 101st Airborn Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY, where he deployed in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD and participated in combat operations during Operation DESERT STORM. He also served as a Ranger Platoon Leader and Training Officer for 1-75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, GA; Adjutant, United Nations Command Security Battalion, Joint Security Area, Korea; S4 for the 3-9th Infantry, Fort Lewis, WA; Aide-de-Camp, DCG, I Corps, Fort Lewis, WA; Company Commander, B/1-5th Infantry, Fort Lewis, WA; and Assistant Military Professor, The Citadel, Charleston, SC.
Brigadier General Duzzny transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in 2000. His Reserve assignments include: Operations and Plans Officer, 1-309th Regiment; Chief, Crisis Action Team, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg; J5 Planner and Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Afghanistan (OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM); Deputy J3, Joint Force Headquarters – Ohio; Battalion Commander, 1-148th Infantry; J7, Exercise Officer, U.S. Special Operations Command; and Commander, 1st Brigade, Atlantic Training Division, 75th Training Command.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army
Achievement Medal. He also earned the Combat Infantry Badge with Star, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, and Pathfinder Badge.
Robert H. Champion
MSFC Ops
Robert H. Champion
MSFC Ops
Robert H. Champion is the former director of the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Named to the position in June 2019, he oversees one of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities where important elements of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft are being built. He manages an annual operating budget of $60 million, more than two million square feet of manufacturing space, and 829 acres of land at the multi-tenant facility. More than 3,000 federal, state, academic, and technology-based industry employees work at Michoud.
Prior to this role, Champion served as deputy director of Marshall’s Propulsion Systems Department from October 2015 to 2019. From 2014 to 2015, he was deputy of Marshall’s Space Systems Department.
In 2010, Champion was appointed deputy director and chief operating officer for Michoud. That same year, he completed NASA’s Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program. Members of the SES operate and oversee nearly every government activity in approximately 75 federal agencies.
In 2012 Champion was selected to the Senior Executive Service and continued his roles as deputy and COO for MAF. Champion oversaw the facility’s transition from building space shuttle external tanks to operating as a multi-tenant facility which began to manufacture and assemble the SLS core stage and Orion spacecraft through 2014.
From 2007 to 2010, Champion was division chief of Marshall’s Stage Systems Engineering and Integration Office, responsible for the technical integration of the subsystems which made up the Ares I upper stage. Prior to his work as a division chief, he worked as deputy manager, chief engineer, and technical manager in the Propulsion System Engineering and Integration Office in Marshall’s Space Shuttle Propulsion Office from 2004 to 2007.
Throughout his career at Marshall, Champion received numerous awards. He was recently selected as an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Associate Fellow and received the 2018-2019 AIAA Holger Toftoy Award for outstanding technical management in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics.
In addition, he has received several of NASA’s highest awards including the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, the NASA Medal for Exceptional Service, Space Flight Awareness Honoree, Director’s Commendation, and the NASA Contracting Officers Technical Representative of the Year.
Nicholas Dimos
Acting Assistant Director/CFO, FBI Finance and Facilities Division
Nicholas Dimos
Acting Assistant Director/CFO, FBI Finance and Facilities Division
Nick Dimos is the Acting Assistant Director/Chief Financial Officer of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Finance and Facilities Division. In this role he is responsible FBI facilities management/construction, accounting, budget, and procurement operations as well as the management of financial systems. Prior to this position, he served several years in support of FBI budget management, to include coordination of budget formulation and execution, with a focus on National Intelligence Program (NIP) resources. He also served on the development team of the FBI’s financial management system. Nick is originally from Indiana, and before coming to the FBI, he was a middle school science teacher with Teach for America in Philadelphia.
LTG L. Neil Thurgood
Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition, Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office
LTG L. Neil Thurgood
Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition, Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office
RCCTO has asked to withhold their slides.
LTG L. Neil Thurgood is the Director for Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He assumed duties in March 2019.
In this position, he is responsible for the rapid fielding of select capabilities to deter and defeat rapidly modernizing adversaries, including overseeing development of an Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon. He leads the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office mission to rapidly and efficiently research, develop, prototype, test, evaluate, procure and field critical enabling technologies and capabilities that address near-termand mid-term threats, consistent with the Army’s modernization priorities. LTG Thurgood most recently served as the Director for Test, Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
LTG Thurgood most recently deployed from 2017-2018, when he served as Deputy Commander, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, Operation Resolute Support/Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Prior to his deployment, he served as the Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology), in Washington, D.C.
LTG Thurgood enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983. Following his commissioning in 1986 as an Aviation Branch Officer, he served in multiple company grade and battalion aviation positions in both the U.S. and overseas, including multiple combat deployments. LTG Thurgood was then selected and served in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a Platoon Leader, Operations Officer and Company Commander.
After transitioning into the Army Acquisition Corps in 1995, he served in various program offices for conventional and special programs. As a Project Manager, LTG Thurgood served in the Utility Helicopters Office, and as a Program Executive Officer, LTG Thurgood led the PEO for Missiles and Space, at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. LTG Thurgood participated in operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.
LTG Thurgood holds undergraduate degrees in Business from the University of Utah; a master’s degree in Systems Acquisition Management from the Naval Postgraduate School; a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Air University, Air War College, and a doctorate in Strategic Planning and Organizational Leadership from the University of Sarasota, as well as several professional certifications.
Mr. Tom Webber
Director, SMDC Technical Center
Mr. Tom Webber
Director, SMDC Technical Center
Mr. Thomas Webber serves as the director for the Technical Center, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and is a member of the Senior Executive Service. As director, he is responsible for managing research, development and test programs for space, missile defense, cyber, directed energy and related technologies. He is also responsible for the management of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in the Marshall Islands.
Webber previously served as Director, Programs and Technology, Technical Center, USASMDC. He was responsible for managing research and technology development in the areas of directed energy, space superiority, small satellites, hypersonic weapons, interceptors, high altitude, tactically responsive space, and cyberspace technologies.
Webber served as acting director, Rapid Transition and chief, Assessment and Transition Division, for the USASMDC Technical Center. He was responsible for acquisition oversight and rapid fielding of a variety of technologies and programs providing rapid innovative capabilities. He also served a one-year detail as the interim deputy director, USASMDC Technical Center.
Prior to his current tour at USASMDC, he worked six years in industry at APT Research as director, Range Safety and Test Planning Division. He served as technical adviser and consultant to USASMDC and the Missile Defense Agency. At MDA he was the technical director for emerging technologies responsible for conducting satellite development, test, and launch activities. Programs supported included the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon Technology Demonstrator, Near-Field Infrared Experiment, Space Tracking and Surveillance System, Ground Based Midcourse Defense, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, and Kinetic Energy Interceptor.
Webber spent five years at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands as director, Command Safety Directorate. He managed the USAKA/RTS Command Safety Program in a community of more than 3,600 employees and families, with instrumentation and facility assets in excess of $4 billion. He identified flight safety analysis requirements and directed all efforts to conduct range/flight safety operations.
His awards include the Air Defense Artillery Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, the National Defense Industrial Association Management Award, the AUSA civilian of the year, and the Air, Space and Missile Defense Association Technical Excellence Award. He received his B.S. from California State University, Northridge in engineering and a MBA from Florida Institute of Technology. He is on the Air, Space and Missile Defense Association board of directors, a member of the Association of the U.S. Army, and a career member of the Army Acquisition Corps.
Mr. Don Nitti
Deputy to the Commanding General, AMCOM
Mr. Don Nitti
Deputy to the Commanding General, AMCOM
Donald Nitti is the Deputy to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM). As the Command’s senior civilian, he manages a multifaceted and diverse organization with an annual budget of over $4 billion and a global workforce of more than 10,000 civilians and Soldiers. In this position, he directs the national sustainment and worldwide readiness support of all Army aviation and missile systems and assures acquisition and sustainment programs are integrated and synchronized to enable the highest level of system and unit readiness.
Prior to being assigned to his current position in March 2020, Nitti served as the Executive Director of the AMCOM Logistics Center. In this role, he led 1,700 authorized government civilians and 2,500 contractors who provided a wide range of Life Cycle Logistics support for Army aviation and missile systems, including: supply chain management, depot workloading, acquisition logistics and equipment maintenance worldwide.
Nitti has over 30 years of leadership and logistical experience supporting the U.S. Army at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. During his distinguished career, he has held a wide variety of positions to include: Director, Field Support Directorate, AMCOM; Chief of Staff, AMCOM; Director, Aviation Field Maintenance Directorate, AMCOM; and Division Chief, Sustainment Operations Division, Dept. of the Army G4, the Pentagon, Washington D.C. During his 27 year military career, Nitti commanded four different aviation logistics units, including an Aviation Support Battalion, two Aviation Intermediate Maintenance companies and an Aviation Unit Maintenance company. His operational deployments include Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Joint Endeavor, and two deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Nitti earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia; a Master of Science degree in Military Operational Arts and Science from the Air University; and is Defense Acquisition University Level III trained and certified in both Program Management and Life Cycle Logistics. He is also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, the U.S. Army Rotary Wing Aviator Course, the Aviation Maintenance Officer Course, and the Maintenance Test Pilot Course.
Nitti’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and numerous other service and campaign awards. He has earned the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
COL Steven Ansley
Military Deputy, DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center
COL Steven Ansley
Military Deputy, DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center
COL Steven R. Ansley, Jr. serves as the Military Deputy at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. Ansley previously served as the Chief of Staff for the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).
COL Ansley was born in St. Charles, IL, and enlisted in the Army as a Combat Engineer in 1987. He served 23 months as an enlisted Soldier, attended the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Aviation from the U.S. Military Academy, in 1993. His first assignment was to Fort Rucker, AL, for Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training in the UH-1 helicopter, followed by training in the OH-58A/C and AH-64A helicopters.
COL Ansley’s operational assignments include Assistant Battalion Operations Officer; Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Platoon leader, AH-64A Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer in the 24th Aviation Regiment, 24th Infantry Division and later the 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division Hunter Army Airfield/Fort Stewart, GA. From 1998-2001 COL Ansley served in various positions within the 127th Aviation Support Battalion and the 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Hanau, Germany. From April 1999 to July 2000, COL Ansley commanded Delta Company, 1st Battalion (Attack), 501st AVN.
After joining the Army Acquisition Corps in 2001, COL Ansley served as an Assistant Product Manager within the Aviation Ground Support Equipment Office in Huntsville, AL (2001-2002). His next assignments included Executive Officer to the PEO, Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, AL (2002-2003); Assignment Officer, Acquisition Management Branch, Alexandria, VA (2005-2008); Joint Test Director, Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll (2008-2010), Director, Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, 401st Army Field Support Brigade, Bagram Afghanistan (2010-2011); Product Manager, Aviation Ground Support Equipment, PEO Aviation (2011-2014); Joint PEO, Chemical and Biological Defense, Systems and Operations Coordinator to U.S. Forces Korea (2014-2016); Director Forward Element Atlantic (Europe/Africa region) Combat Capabilities Development Command (2016-2020); and most recently he served as the Chief of Staff, Army RCCTO (2020-2021).
COL Ansley holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy and a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Post Graduate School. He is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and certified Level III in Program Management and Level I in Test and Evaluation.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (5), the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Aviators Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Army Space Badge.
Ms. Kim King
Director, DIA MSIC
Ms. Kim King
Director, DIA MSIC
Ms. Kimberly King, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, Missile and Space Intelligence Center
As the Director of DIA’s Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC), Kimberly King leads engineers and scientists in all-source scientific and technical intelligence analysis of foreign ballistic missile systems, air and missile defense systems, anti-satellite systems, anti-tank guided missile systems, directed energy weapons systems, and associated command and control systems. Leading MSIC, she also oversees all operational and infrastructure activities at the Richard C. Shelby Center for Missile Intelligence. Prior, King served as the Chief of the Defense Counter proliferation Office and as Defense Intelligence Integration Officer for Counter proliferation. Other DIA assignments include Deputy Chief, DCP; Division Chief, Military Forces Analysis Office; and multiple positions with the Underground Facility Analysis Center.