HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. –
Defense Contract Management Agency Eastern Region held a virtual change of command ceremony here on July 30.
Army Lt. Gen. David Bassett, DCMA director, presided over the ceremony where Navy Capt. Fred Dini assumed command from Navy Capt. Brett Stevens.
Dini thanked Bassett, Stevens, his family, the virtual attendees of the ceremony and several other influential people in his life as his first address as commander of DCMA Eastern Region.
“When people really touch your life, I don’t think you can ever thank them enough,” Dini said.
Dini said various role models throughout his life, dating back to his scout master, contributed to his current principles of great leadership — give, reflect, energize, ask and thank— which he plans to use in his new role as region commander.
“To the women and men of DCMA Eastern Region, I’m humbled to be given this chance to serve you as the DCMA Eastern Region commander,” Dini said. “You’re the best of the best public servants. I know you, like me, take pride in the meaning of our work.”
Stevens, who has served as commander since July 2018, said this tour strengthened his belief that his Navy career choice was the right one.
“These past couple of years have gone by quickly and they have certainly challenged me, but they’ve also convinced me that I’m in the right line of work as a supply corps officer in the United States Navy, working in this great organization.” Stevens said. “I’m privileged to be standing before you today having completed what has been the most challenging, yet rewarding, tour of my career.”
Stevens said that his previous assignments, and deployments with the Navy as a logistics officer, taught him how important it is to get things right.
“At DCMA, we are part of the process to ensure that we get it right,” Stevens said. “Our highly-trained engineers, quality assurance specialists and contract managers provide the necessary administration and oversight that keeps our industry partners intently focused on delivering the right equipment at the right time to our fighting forces and ensuring that the equipment is delivered with superior quality at an affordable cost.”
Stevens reiterated the importance of the agency’s role in providing for the military.
“Over the past two years in this job, I’ve seen first-hand the amount of energy it takes to get it right. I’ve had the opportunity to peek behind the curtain and see the team of professionals at each of the 30 contract management offices across Eastern Region’s area of responsibility,” Stevens said.
Stevens said that the most treasured thing about his time at DCMA has been the people.
“The team at DCMA is simply the best. Some of the finest, most dedicated individuals working within the Department of Defense and it’s been my privilege to work alongside them,” Stevens said.
Stevens departs DCMA Eastern Region to join Naval Supply Systems Command in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.