SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 2, 2016 — Army Col. Anthony Wizner assumed command of Defense Contract Management Agency Central Regional Command during a change of leadership ceremony here Oct. 13.
“It truly is an exciting time to be part of the dynamic changes that this agency has and is continuing to undergo,” said Wizner, a certified Army Acquisition Corps member who is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III certified in both program management and contracting, and Level II certified in test and evaluation. “I am incredibly humbled and honored to be standing in front of you today, getting the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization.”
Jorge Bennett had been serving as acting director for the Central Region, managing responsibility and oversight of 10 contract management offices.
“The list of Central Region’s accomplishments during Mr. Bennett’s tenure as director are numerous,” said Wizner, telling attendees it was a pleasure to work for Bennet for more than a year and a half. “He lets his commanders lead their organizations and always supported the tough and complex decisions they make every day overseeing $500 billion worth of our taxpayers’ money. All of his efforts have effectively positioned the command to meet the challenges of its new responsibilities as an operating unit. Jorge, I could not ask for a better leader and expert to partner with to lead the region into the future.”
Wizner explained that while serving as acting director, Bennett oversaw 10 commands consisting of more than 3,000 civilian, Air Force, Navy, Army and Marine personnel in 23 states.
“Under his leadership, Central Regional Command team members performed all delegated (Federal Acquisition Regulation) Part 42 contract administration functions for more than 119,000 contracts with an assigned valued over $910 billion,” said Wizner, championing Bennett’s efforts. “Supported programs included the Army M-ATV, Stryker, M1A2 Abrams tank, Bradley, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Navy F/A-18 Hornet, Air Force F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, F-22 Raptor, F-15, F-16, C-17, C-130 Hercules, Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicle, and these are just to name a few.”
Much of the agency’s senior leadership team attended the event.
“Great news to announce on the leadership front,” wrote agency Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Wendy Masiello, in an email announcing Wizner’s selection. “Col. Anthony ‘Tony’ Wizner will be joining the senior leadership team as our new commander of the Central Region. Tony comes to us well versed in acquisition and in DCMA operations. Formerly on the Program Executive Office staff of U.S. Special Operations Command, he started with DCMA as the commander of DCMA Northern Iraq where he managed theater (Logistics Civil Augmentation Program) and (Air Force Contract Augmentation Program) programs.”
After Iraq, Wizner became the DCMA Lockheed Martin Dallas commander assuming responsibility for more than $20 billion in contract management. The agency then capitalized on his diverse contracting knowledge and recent promotion to colonel, selecting Wizner to lead DCMA Afghanistan, said Masiello.
“He was responsible for the drawdown of forces and closure of over 20 forward operating bases and preparing the turnover of (Contingency Contract Administration Services) to both the Air Force and Army,” Masiello said. “A graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School as well as a U.S. Army War College fellow, Col. Wizner will make a great addition to the SLT.”
The ceremony served as a homecoming for Wizner who attended Farnsworth Elementary School in Chicago. He said he was excited to be back in Chicago after nearly 35 years and welcomed the opportunity to spend time with local family members. Wizner’s excitement extended to his new role as he directly addressed DCMA Central Region team members.
“I’m enthusiastic to remain part of your amazing team and look forward to building upon the excellence we have already accomplished,” Wizner said. “I can’t wait to get out and meet our team, our customers and our contractors serving throughout the 16 states in middle America. I am excited to discuss what we can do together to improve, and how we can continue to provide the most comprehensive acquisition insight to the American warfighter.”