By M. Scott Bortot |

Product Manager (PdM) Biometrics on August 12 bid farewell to Forrest Church and welcomed Lt. Col. Paul Janker during a change of charter ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Lareina Adams, Project Manager, Terrestrial Sensors, praised Church’s contribution to the PdM Biometrics mission during her opening remarks.

“Forrest, I want to thank you for your leadership, for your commitment to the mission and also for putting people first,” Adams said.

PdM Biometrics supports current and future combat operations and U.S. Army transformation by designing, developing, acquiring, deploying, and sustaining enterprise biometric and forensic solutions.

“Drawing upon more than 28 years of program management and acquisition experience, he proved to be the right leader for the job,” Adams said.

Since assuming the leadership role of PdM Biometrics in May 2023, Church guided his team through the recent DoD Automated Biometrics Identification System (DoD ABIS) migration to the cloud. He also oversaw the development of the Next Generation Biometric Collection Capability (NXGBCC) which is planned to be fielded in 2025 to improve how Soldiers collect biometrics data.

Church thanked his team and colleagues for helping him successfully execute the PdM Biometrics mission. He noted that not many civilians lead a product management office, and he thanked the Army for the opportunity.

“There are not a lot of us who get to serve in these positions, and I feel very fortunate that the Army gave me this chance,” Church said. “It has been a real privilege to serve as an Army product manager.”

“I was humbled by the opportunity and could not have asked for a better team to carry out the mission,” he said. “PM Biometrics is one of those very unique Army acquisition jobs where you get to support biometric technology in every single geographic combatant command, every single day.”

PdM Biometrics is an office within Project Manager, Terrestrial Sensors (PM TS). PM TS procures, fields, and supports numerous state-of-the-art ground sensor systems globally, including within the United States.

The new leader for PdM Biometrics, Janker, is well-situated to lead the team. Not only does he come with an extensive leadership history, but he is also familiar with biometrics technology from his time as a Soldier in Iraq.

“17 years have passed since I patrolled the city streets of Baghdad and collected biometrics data,” Janker said. “It’s quite fitting that as a former user of the system, I now get the chance to act as a positive force to innovate and provide the best equipment possible for the American Soldier.”

Even before taking command of his new post Janker met with PdM Biometrics staff to familiarize himself with the office.

“The PdM Biometrics team is one of the best organizations I’ve ever seen,” Janker said. “Three weeks ago, I was warmly welcomed into the biometrics family, and I’m very fortunate to have such an excellent team. Every member is professional and highly skilled, and the work environment is positive and constructive.”

Janker began his Army career after being commissioned as an Armor Officer through the United States Military Academy. He deployed to Iraq in 2007 and held leadership positions such as the Executive Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company 3-66 Armor, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2009-2010.

Janker’s knowledge and dedication to the mission led him to taking command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company 1-2 Infantry, 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade and deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He later commanded N-Troop 3-16 Cavalry at Fort Benning and was assessed into the Acquisition Corps in 2014 and assumed duties as Senior Test and Analysis Officer at the Maneuver Center of Excellence.

In August 2020, Janker served as the Department of the Army Systems Coordinator for Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors (PEO IEW&S), with follow-on assignments as Executive Officer for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Strategy Acquisition and Reform) and Special Assistant to the Director of the Army Staff.

Adams praised Janker for his achievements as he starts his new mission with PdM Biometrics.

“Paul, I have no doubt that you are well equipped to lead the team into the future,” Adams said. “Welcome to the PM TS family and we look forward to your continued success.”