Kenneth Strayer, Project Manager (PM) for the Project Management Office Electronic Warfare & Cyber (PM EW&C) passed the reins of leadership to incoming PM, Col. Scott Shaffer in a July 10 change of responsibility ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
As the ceremony’s host, Brig. Gen. Ed Barker, Program Executive Officer for U.S. Army Program Executive Officer, Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) presented the Superior Civilian Service Award to Strayer on behalf of the Acting Army Acquisition Executive, Jesse D. Tolleson, Jr. Barker also accepted the PM EW&C charter from Strayer and passed it to Shaffer signifying the official change of responsibility.
“Ken has been at the forefront of bringing EW capabilities back to the battlefield for this generation. The need to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum is more important than ever,” said Barker.
Under Strayer’s leadership since 2021, PM EW&C demonstrated the highest levels of excellence in the program management of urgently needed operational capabilities and priority requirements for U.S. Army Commanders. He instituted innovative acquisition approaches in a highly classified environment and tailored programs through rapid prototyping and flexible contracting to accelerate delivery and facilitate learning of the doctrine, organization, and training requirements necessary to reinvigorate electromagnetic warfare (EW) as a core competency.
Strayer spearheaded the development and fielding of the Terrestrial Layer System Manpack, Electronic Warfare Planning and Management Tool (EWPMT), Tactical Electronic Warfare System – Infantry (TEWS-I), Tactical Space Superiority systems, and many other EW capabilities to the force. He gained approval and chartered a new Colonel/GS-15 led Project Management Office for Cyber and Space to provide focused program management and stakeholder engagement for the joint cyber community. Additionally, he established a new GS-14 led Product Lead Office for Strategic Spectrum Warfare to provide responsive support for the growth in echelons above brigade requirements.
During his tenure, including his service as Deputy Project Manager EW&C from 2017 to 2020, PM EW&C received the 2019 Project Management Office Team of the Year (O-6/GS-15 level) award and the 2018 David Packard award for Acquisition Excellence.
“I am so proud of the more than 250 professionals on our team that equipped our Army to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum, ready for the next fight. It’s been amazing to watch the team’s creativity in development and delivery of capabilities. It has been the greatest privilege in my career to lead the EW&C team and family,” said Strayer during his remarks at the ceremony.
As the new Project Manager, Shaffer will guide a workforce of military and civilian professionals who develop and field integrated capabilities for spectrum warfare. He comes to PM EW&C after serving as the Executive Officer to the Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology) (ASA(ALT)) and after leading Product Manager Mission Command Cyber under the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, and Communications – Tactical (PEO C3T).
“This is an exciting time with changes to the operational environment and threat where we need to be more agile and creative to ensure we have the most lethal force with the right mix of capabilities and resources. Thank you for this great opportunity to serve as the next Project Manager for PM EW&C,” Shaffer said, concluding the ceremony.
By Matthew Schramm
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