C5ISR Hall of Fame

Lieutenant General (Retired) David Bassett is recognized for his exceptional leadership and contributions to the C5ISR community, the Army, and Joint Warfighters over a distinguished 35-year career.

Thomas D. Ficklin IV served nearly 50 years at Aberdeen Proving Ground and made significant contributions to the C5ISR Community.

Frank E. Fiorilli is recognized for his nearly 35-year career of significant contributions to major C5ISR initiatives and his enduring legacy as a mentor.

Major General (Retired) David Gust is recognized for his 33-year career and significant contributions to the development, fielding, and sustainment of critical C5ISR systems.

Major General (Retired) Randy S. Taylor is recognized for his distinguished 38-year military career that concluded in October 2020.

Mr. Buonocore built CECOM's Procurement Fraud Program and was the Army's "go-to" attorney for significant litigation. The first to receive the CECOM Award for Managerial Excellence, he was also honored as AMC "Attorney of the Year" and received the Francis J. Buckley Award for Managerial Excellence.

BG Cole led modernization of the Firefinder radars, achieved a Milestone Decision and contract award for WIN-T, and as PEO IEW&S oversaw a $14 billion portfolio during the height of OIF/OEF. He engaged, mentored, and developed Soldiers and civilians who have become today's C5ISR leaders.

Mr. Kovacs' 37-year career spanned the birth of Army digitization from early TACFIRE to modern software-intensive systems. He developed Y2K compliance plans for over 165 battlespace systems. Awards include the Secretary of the Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service and the CECOM Leadership Award (twice).

As Director of the C5ISR Center with a workforce of 2,000+, Mr. Muller led revolutionary advances in communications, EW, cyber, and sensor technology. Following 9/11, he deployed to the World Trade Center to assist in search and rescue. He received the Secretary of the Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service.

Mr. Santiago was an expert in software management for ISR systems including DCGS-A, EMARSS, Guardrail, and GRCS. He established the Joint Tactical Integration Facility (JTIF) at APG, providing a critical Systems Integration Lab that supported development, sustainment, and upgrade of many ISR platforms. Mr. Santiago passed away in 2016.

Progressing from clerk-typist to Director at ILSC, Ms. Batdorf formulated a "Transfer of Knowledge" program during BRAC 2005 documenting over 360 critical supply chain processes. She has served as an inspiration and mentor for women striving for the highest levels of responsibility within Army Materiel Command.

Mr. Carter was known as the "go-to" logistician for C5ISR — first to deploy into hostile contingency environments and last to return home. His continuous accomplishments in supporting the C5ISR warrior are a benchmark of excellence used today to measure the effectiveness of CECOM's "Face to the Field."

Mr. D'Angelo directed the FireFinder radar program through accelerated R&D and initial production. As PEO IEW, he provided accelerated fieldings for Desert Shield/Storm — JSTARS, superior night vision, SIGINT, and counterfire radars all contributed to coalition victory. He was appointed to the SES in 1984.

In 1971, Dr. McAfee was the first African American Army employee promoted to GS-16. In 1946, his theoretical calculations for Project Diana determined the feasibility of the first radar "moon bounce" — an event many regard as the real beginning of the Space Age. He served Fort Monmouth for 42 years.

Mr. Michelli's fingerprints touched nearly every desk of the Army through the Army Small Computer Program (CHESS), pioneering multiple award IDIQ contracting. He oversaw the SOUTHCOM HQ relocation from Panama to Miami and the Pentagon Renovation C5ISR upgrade, earning the Distinguished Rank Presidential Award in 1996.

COL Costigan played a central role in planning the BRAC relocation of CECOM from Fort Monmouth to APG, leading a planning team that established both a workforce transition and facilities development plan for over $2 billion in resources. He implemented a C5ISR "Battle Update" forum that dramatically increased responsiveness to war-time mission requirements.

Mr. Kreider created the Joint Experimentation Range Complex — the foundation of EW testing since 2003 — and designed the Network Integration Event (NIE), the premier C5ISR system testing event prior to Project Convergence. As PEO IEW&S, he built cohesiveness across the Aviation, Army G2, and emerging EW communities.

Mr. Pizzo conceived Stratomist — the first tactical, programmable, distributed RF test transmitter with over 400 units worldwide. He received the Army's Greatest Invention of the Year Award in 2009 and multiple AOC awards including the Joint Service Award (1999) and Electronic Attack Award (2017).

Mr. Plichta was principal inventor of high-voltage stable electrolytes that enabled the first practical lithium-ion battery. He holds over 40 U.S. and international patents and is the author/co-author of over 50 scientific publications. He received the CERDEC Platinum Level Innovator Achievement Award in 2013.

With 60 years of government service, Mr. Zardecki progressed from electronics-mechanic helper to Deputy to the Commander at TYAD. His vision expanded the TYAD global enterprise from NE Pennsylvania to over 70 forward repair sites worldwide — reducing C5ISR weapon system downtime and improving operational readiness.

LTG Boutelle served as PEO C3S and became the longest serving Army CIO/G6 (2003–2007). During two concurrent wars, his leadership ensured rapid delivery of solutions to warfighters. He was the catalyst for modernizing the Army's IT and network infrastructure worldwide.

Mr. Christianson's 50-year career contributed to the development and fielding of more than 100,000 products across DoD and its allies. As Lead Systems Engineer during 9/11 and OIF/OEF, he delivered numerous ISR systems to meet COIN threats — saving lives and enhancing warfighter effectiveness.

The first African-American to serve as Army CIO/G-6, LTG Ferrell oversaw the Army's $10 billion IT investments. He received the Silver Order of Mercury Award in 2014 and was inducted into the Army ROTC Hall of Fame in 2018.

MG Greene served over 34 years, dedicating nearly a third to C5ISR leadership. In his final assignment in Afghanistan, he leveraged all previous experience to deliver C5ISR capabilities to Afghan National Security Forces. On August 5, 2014, MG Greene was killed in action in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Mr. Martin's 34-year federal career spanned technical director to PEO. As CECOM DCG he received the 2012 Presidential Rank Award — Distinguished Executive, one of only 46 SES members out of 6,800 to receive this honor. As PEO C3T, his contributions were at work every day in every theater of operation.

The first civilian selected to serve as PEO IEW&S, Mr. Bair led the organization through Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, fielding over 200,000 systems. He is the longest tenured IEW&S senior leader. Awards include the Presidential Rank Executive Award and the Knowlton Award.

LTG Campbell served 38 years as Army and 21 years as a civilian. Under his leadership, more than 250,000 C5ISR systems and devices were deployed. He later served on the Army Science Board for 10 years and chaired a National Academies study on agile acquisition of IT.

A "founding father" of NVESD, Dr. Pollard spent 46 years directing research in electro-optics, infrared sensors, image intensifiers, and image processing. His work — from Vietnam through IVAS and NVG-Next — influenced how the U.S. Army fights wars and conducts operations.

The first commissioned Signal Corps officer in Army history promoted to four-star general and one of only eight Army African-American four-stars, GEN Via later commanded Army Materiel Command. As CECOM CG, he planned the BRAC relocation of CECOM from Fort Monmouth to APG.

Mr. Young served 40 years of combined uniform and civilian service. He successfully consolidated two ACC contracting centers during the BRAC move and pioneered dynamic change across DoD contracting. His testimony to the Gansler Commission shaped Army contracting policy nationwide.

Mr. Irwin led development of the Army's C-IED program, developing fuse jammers (Warlock Green and Warlock Red) for radio-controlled IEDs. He also led the AN/ALQ-136/162 jammers that saved 36 Apache helicopters during Desert Storm. He received the AOC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

Only five days after assuming I2WD leadership, Mr. Lisuzzo responded to 9/11 — deploying a task force with RF detection capabilities to the World Trade Center. He was instrumental in establishing the initial Counter-IED exploitation capability and received the Presidential Rank Award in 2009.

The first female PEO for Command, Control, Communications-Tactical, MG Price guided a workforce of 1,600+ delivering lifesaving communications to Soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Korea. PEO C3T won back-to-back David Packard Awards for Acquisition Excellence during her first two years.

MG Strong led CECOM through GWOT support and the BRAC relocation to APG simultaneously. He oversaw record-breaking levels of work at Tobyhanna Army Depot and received the General Somervell Medal of Excellence and the Distinguished Service Medal.

Dr. Wiseman founded the Night Vision Laboratory in 1965, leading development of image intensifiers that enabled the Army to "own the night." More than 1 million image intensifiers were fielded to DoD in the following 50 years. Dr. Wiseman passed away in August 2013.

MG Guenther led CECOM's "Digitizing the Battlefield" initiative, led Army patent generation, and was the Army leader in Technology Transfer Agreements. He was promoted to LTG and became the first CIO of the Army, retiring in June 1997.

MG Russ led CECOM through 9/11 and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He created a 24-hour Emergency Operation Center providing over a million repair part items and established "Team C4ISR" to increase unity of command across the community.

Mr. Sagan was the "go-to" attorney within DA for the most complex and sensitive matters. His recognitions include the Presidential Rank Award in 2008 and the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. CECOM was recognized as the finest and most innovative Legal Office in the Department of the Army.

Mr. Sharman's achievements spanned national inventory, national maintenance, security assistance, production and industrial base management — with a global footprint of over 20 countries and 100-plus sites. He was recognized with the Exceptional Civilian Service Decoration.

Mr. Thomas led an unprecedented BRAC relocation — shutting down Fort Monmouth while creating new facilities and relocating 60% of the workforce to APG. He received the Presidential Rank Award in 2008 and the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service.

MG Brohm's vision streamlined CECOM's procurement processes and introduced the Logistics Modernization Program (LMP). On June 5, 1996, he accepted the President's Quality Improvement Prototype award on behalf of the CECOM Logistics Readiness Center.

Mr. Elgart received two Presidential Rank Awards and served as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement). Following 9/11, he helped lead the reconstitution of Army procurement operations in the Pentagon. He is considered one of the true pioneers in Army contracting.

MG Nabors led CECOM into the digital age, achieved 100% Y2K compliance for 414 weapons systems, and oversaw the incorporation of Tobyhanna Army Depot as the seventh major component under CECOM — enabling full life cycle management and depot maintenance operations.

Mr. Noyes was a nationally recognized expert in SIGINT and Electronic Warfare. He was instrumental in the design, development, and fielding of intelligence and EW systems that formed the foundation of current Army SIGINT systems. Mr. Noyes passed away in May 2017.

Mr. Sintic's directorate supported 227 mission-critical defense systems. During Desert Shield/Storm, his organization provided a 24-hour user hotline and in-theater representatives. He conceived the Army Interoperability Network and the Army's software awareness program for general officers. Mr. Sintic passed away in February 2015.

Dr. Buser provided 38 years of dedicated civil service. His pioneering efforts in laser technology and Second Generation FLIR Horizontal Technology Integration resulted in an estimated life cycle cost savings of $820 million. His work helped the U.S. Army "Own the Night." Dr. Buser passed away in February 2007.

Dr. Filler served 36 years in research on navigation systems including GPS. He authored or co-authored over 62 publications with 594 known citations, and holds eight patents related to quartz crystal resonators — successfully converting scientific research into usable military technology.

Mr. Giordano served as Technical Director of CERDEC with oversight of the R&D Center, Software Engineering Center, and Information Systems Engineering Command. His 33-year career culminated in the Task Force XXI Advanced Warfighting Experiment.

CSM Lane served over 33 years as a U.S. Army Soldier and Leader. He was a driving force behind Mobile Training Teams and the CECOM "Home on Home" conferences. He worked diligently to ensure a seamless BRAC 2005 transition for every member of the team. CSM Lane passed away in March 2010.

During Operation Desert Shield, MG Mallette established a 24/7 CECOM Emergency Operations Center. By the end of the crisis, CECOM had processed nearly 180,000 requisitions and shipped six million pieces of equipment worth over $1.1 billion. LTG Mallette passed away in August 1993.

Mr. Victor J. Ferlise served as the Deputy to the Commanding General for CECOM from 1992 until his retirement in 2007 — the first civilian to fill the role of Deputy. He oversaw the development of the "Team Fort Monmouth" concept and its transition to "Army Team C4ISR."

His embrace of Lean/Six Sigma principles resulted in the development of software for the U.S. Army's Financial Management Disclosure System, implemented Army-wide in 2006 and now in use across the Department of Defense. He created the blueprint for the U.S. Army's Logistics Modernization Program, completely transforming the Army's supply chain management processes.

Dr. Stanley Kronenberg was a nuclear physicist and authority on nuclear-radiation technology. He published nearly 100 papers and was awarded 22 patents. His most significant contribution was an experiment he designed in 1968 using his own SEMIRAD detector to measure radiation following a nuclear explosion.

Dr. Kronenberg passed away on December 9, 2000.

Mr. Mason C. Linn is one of only three individuals to hold the position of Civilian Executive Assistant/Deputy to the Commander of Tobyhanna Army Depot since 1952. During his tenure he drove the evolution of TYAD from a regional supply organization to a worldwide operation — the U.S. Army's largest facility for repair, maintenance, overhaul, and fabrication of C&E equipment.

Retired Major General Robert Morgan served in five assignments of increasing responsibility within CECOM from 1976 to 1987. As Commanding General, he was instrumental in presenting the CECOM case to keep Fort Monmouth open before the 1993 BRAC Commission — resulting in the decision to keep it open until the 2005 BRAC decision.

Retired LTG Emmett Paige, Jr. is the only person to have commanded four separate organizations that helped create CECOM. In 1976 he became the first African-American Signal Corps officer promoted to Brigadier General. His leadership efforts were instrumental in transforming the Army's communications and command and control capabilities.