FORT LEE, Va. - A golden jubilee represents a 50th anniversary. It is significant for its numerical prominence, impressive for its rarity and compelling for its historical implications. For Erroll Palmer, Defense Contracting Management Agency Dayton/Indianapolis program integrator, his half-century mark of federal service was simply another day of serving others.
“I am proud and privileged to be a DCMA team member,” said Palmer, who works at the contract management office’s Louisville, Kentucky, location. “I owe, in great part, any current success, past accomplishments and my longevity to everyone I have worked with and worked for. I suppose retirement is closer than it was fifty years ago, but who knows.”
When Palmer does retire, he will be missed. According to Kraig von Nostitz, DCMA Indianapolis Engineering and Manufacturing team leader, his personality and humbleness are important assets to the CMO.
“Erroll is a great employee,” said von Nostitz. “He is very humble and appreciative of his coworkers. He has said repeatedly that his success is attributable to the great support that he receives from the (program support team) members. He says that he still enjoys coming to work every day and the people he works with are the reason.”
While his positive characteristics are an added bonus, Palmer’s true CMO contributions center on his knowledge of a broad range of weapon systems. According to von Nostitz, Palmer brings a wealth of experience involving the manufacturing and assembly of weapon systems. His journey from machinist apprentice to production processes department head at the Naval Ordnance Station Louisville provided him with a wealth of knowledge.
His weapon-systems’ wisdom has garnered the respect of those within DCMA Dayton, DCMA Indianapolis and many throughout the defense contracting community.
“Erroll has been instrumental in integrating across functional lines to develop value-added work products for our customers,” said Bill Williams, DCMA Indianapolis deputy and Engineering and Manufacturing group leader. “He is also well-respected outside of our CMO. During my time at DCMA Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona, Erroll was thought of highly for his outreach and communication skills.”
Palmer’s journey to respected mentor and veteran CMO asset began in 1963 with a two-year tour in the U.S. Army.
After the Army, he was selected for the Naval Ordnance Station Louisville’s apprentice program in 1966. From 1970 to 1974, he was responsible for various machining duties, including numerical control and close tolerance jig bore, as well as temporary supervisor assignments. In 1974, Palmer was promoted to engineering technician, developing process plans and numerical control programs through 1980.
He was then promoted to supervisory engineering technician numerical control. Palmer, and his staff of 10, were responsible for the program support of more than 50 numerical control machines. After nine years, he was promoted to supervisory production controller serving as division head for the production processes department with a staff of over 50. In July 1996, he transferred to DCMA and took on the role of support program integrator.
According to Palmer, who has supported numerous initiatives and weapon systems since joining DCMA, he has thoroughly enjoyed the organization, the people and the mission during his time in the contracting world.
“Erroll leads program support teams consisting of specialists from a range of DCMA functional areas,” said von Nostitz. “He interfaces with program integrators, program office management and contractor lead personnel. His special blend of skills and experience are a great asset for his coworkers, for DCMA and ultimately, for the warfighter.”
Palmer has served his country and the warfighter for 50 years, and although he has collected numerous memories and experiences throughout his service, some of his proudest thoughts reflect his time with the agency.
“The things I enjoy most about my DCMA career are the outstanding teamwork, the dedicated and experienced colleagues, and the family-orientated atmosphere,” said Palmer. “My DCMA highlights include knowing that the defensive systems we helped produce have saved lives; maintaining quality and delivery through various organizational changes; and always receiving an excellent team effort and cooperation from all involved."
Date Taken: | 05.15.2014 |
Date Posted: | 05.22.2014 13:48 |
Story ID: | 130801 |
Location: | FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, US |
Web Views: | 130 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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