REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. –
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Team Redstone celebrated innovation, efficiency, and engineering excellence at the 2025 Value Engineering and Army Working Capital Fund Investment Program Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 21.
Thomas Reynolds, Value Engineering Manager at DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, opened the ceremony by applauding the efforts of more than 700 contributors across Team Redstone. “We get to celebrate the people whose ideas and hard work improve how we support soldiers every single day,” he said.
The annual event recognized organizations and individuals whose efforts in fiscal year 2024 led to $277 million in savings and cost avoidance, directly supporting Army readiness and modernization.
Mr. Donald R. Nitti, Deputy to the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, praised the consistent excellence of the Redstone community. “Twenty-eight consecutive years of exceeding VE goals is no accident,” Nitti said. “It’s leadership, dedication, and passion. And that’s what keeps our Army the best in the world.”
VE plaques were presented to five organizations for exceeding their cost-saving goals: the AMCOM Logistics Center, DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Program Management Office, Strategic & Operational Rockets & Missiles Project Office, and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Project Office.
VE certificates were awarded to Samuel Brewster, Patrick Kelley, Duncan Parker Liles IV, Alvin Gracie, and Toni Hamilton-Datcher for their coordination and contributions.
Notable VE projects included STORM’s refurbishment of 1,500 rocket launch pods, saving $98 million, and GMD’s life extension of critical missile transporter trailers, saving $2.3 million. THAAD's testing and stockpile programs generated $8.5 million in savings while enhancing interceptor reliability.
“Every one of these efforts contributes directly to warfighter readiness,” said Donald R. Nitti, AMCOM Deputy to the Commanding General. “They reduce costs, yes—but more importantly, they increase reliability and reduce the burden on our soldiers.”
AWCF Investment Program certificates were awarded to Frank Collins, Jessica Graner (three awards), Barry Thrower, Joe Ingram, and Nolan Tallman for improving reliability and mitigating obsolescence in aviation and missile systems. Projects included redesigning transmission containers for CH-47 helicopters, updating control systems for UH-60 Black Hawks, and improving the T700 Engine’s digital control unit.
“This is how we make every dollar count—through expertise, creativity, and a shared commitment to Army excellence,” Reynolds said.
Value Engineering Awards
VE Plaques are awarded to the Directors and Program Managers of Team Redstone organization that exceeded their VE savings goal for FY24.
VE Award Plaques
Aviation & Missile Command Logistics Center
DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center
Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Program Management Office
Strategic & Operational Rockets & Missiles Project Office
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Project Office
VE Awards Certificates were awarded to VE Coordinators for their respective organizations’ participation and contributions towards the Team Redstone VE Program during FY24.
VE Award Certificates
Mr. Samuel Brewster AMCOM Logistics Center
Mr. Patrick Kelley DECOM Aviation & Missile Center
Mr. Dunca (Parker) Liles IV Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Program Management Office
Mr. Alvin Gracie Strategic & Operational Rockets & Missiles Project Office
Ms. Toni Hamilton-Datcher Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Project Office
AWCF Investment Program Award Certificates
Mr. Frank Collins Aviation Turbine Engines Project office
Ms. Jessica Graner Cargo Helicopters Project Office
Ms. Jessica Graner Cargo Helicopters Project Office
Ms. Jessica Graner Cargo Helicopters Project Office
Mr. James Bannerman Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions Project Office
Mr. Joe Ingram Utility Helicopters Project Office
Mr. Nolan Tallman Utility Helicopters Project Office