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By Caitlin O’Neill, PM PNT Staff Writer
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – The Army’s lead acquisition developer for Positioning, Navigation, and, Timing (PNT) capabilities held a change of charter ceremony on Feb. 27.
The Project Manager for Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PM PNT) changed hands when outgoing PM, Kevin Coggins, passed the organization’s charter to Michael Trzeciak.
Maj. Gen. Kirk Vollmecke, Program Executive Officer for Intelligence Electronic Warfare & Sensors (PEO IEW&S), hosted the change of charter ceremony at APG’s Myer Auditorium. Vollmecke thanked Coggins and his team for a job well done and recognized their dedication to the Army institution and the mission.
“You have to be extremely proud of what you have accomplished and what you continue to do for our Soldiers at the tip of the spear and globally,” said Vollmecke. “Your work has made our Soldiers safer. Thank you for your sacrifice and commitment to our soldiers here and oversees.”
PM PNT reports to PEO IEW&S and collaborates with other Army and Joint Service partners to develop interoperable, reliable products to promote real-time secure PNT services for a variety of combat and combat support field missions. With a focus on modernization and readiness, these capabilities will provide the Soldier with the ability to access accurate and trusted PNT data, which is a critical enabler for Army warfighting functions and systems.
Trzeciak will take over as Acting PM until the incoming PM, Col. Nickolas Kioutas, arrives this summer. Trzeciak joined PM PNT in 2015, serving as the Deputy PM during that time. Trzeciak previously served as the Director of Engineering and Acquisition for the Joint Project Manager Guardian, providing leadership and guidance to three different Product Managers and 36 different programs and projects. He previously served as PNT Lead for PEO IEW&S from 2010-2011.
Vollmecke recognized Trzeciak as he takes on the position of Acting PM. “Mike is no stranger to the organizational team,” he said. “I can’t think of any other person better for the position. You are the right guy and this is your time.”
PM PNT leads the Army in the integration of distribution level PNT capabilities across warfighter and Army vehicle platforms. Through a collaborative effort across the Army and Department of Defense, the organization enables the development and delivery of targeted PNT solutions to increase Army readiness. Key programs include Resiliency and Software Assurance Measures, Pseudolites, Mounted PNT, Military Global Positioning System (GPS) User Equipment, and the Project TITAN – an Emerging Capabilities Office effort in support of the Army Rapid Capabilities Office.
Before the passing of the charter took place, Vollmecke made one last remark. “My call to action simply is this,” he said. “Aggressively manage your programs. Leverage your team and the expertise that they offer. There is brilliance and adaptability within your organization that no others have. This is your time.”
Col. Matthew Bowler, Product Manager (PdM) for Assured PNT (APNT), was also recognized during the ceremony. The PdM A-PNT Charter was relinquished by Bowler back to PM PNT as he departs the organization. Beginning on March 14, Bowler will be serving as the Military Deputy for the Army Software Engineering Center at APG.
“Col. Bowler has done a lot for PdM Assured PNT,” said Coggins. “He’s pushed the limits of what the Army has done and established the new vision of the future for PNT. His team has set the Army up for success and serves as an example to other services across the Department.”
Later this summer the PdM A-PNT organization will be formally re-chartered as two distinct organizations; Product Manager Mounted PNT and Product Manager Pseudolites under PM PNT.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”left” up=”30″ down=”30″][vc_column_text]The Project Manager Positioning, Navigation and Timing provides optimal and affordable PNT capabilities with designs, products and solutions that promote decisive action in all Army operations. These critical capabilities positively impact the battlespace in any operational environment, providing soldiers with alternative PNT solutions that give them better protection and increased trust. PM PNT continues to enable the delivery of innovative PNT technologies that will augment and enhance GPS for the Army.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]