Army acquisition professionals inducted into Army Acquisition Hall of Fame
by Stefanie Pidgeon
WASHINGTON (Oct. 11, 2023)—The story of the Army Acquisition Workforce has been one of continuous innovation and evolution with one constant—dedicated professionals who are focused on delivering capabilities to our Army and the joint force.
On the opening day of the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, two Army acquisition professionals were inducted into the 2023 class of the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame: James “Jim” Shields (posthumous) and Jeffrey “Jeff” Parsons.
“Nominees were evaluated for their significant and enduring contributions to the Army acquisition community’s historic and ongoing mission,” said Hon. Douglas R. Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology and the Army acquisition executive, who gave opening remarks. “They were examined specifically in light of three main questions: Have they made enduring contributions to our mission; have they demonstrated the respect of peers, subordinates and supervisors; and have they proven a commitment to the acquisition career field. The answer, by a very great measure, was a resounding ‘yes.’ ”
Bush said he was humbled by the opportunity to recognize these two Army acquisition professionals and emphasized the importance of public service.
“There is a nobility of public service that’s really important to remember. And today, through honoring these two outstanding gentlemen, we get to uphold that value and applaud it and rededicate ourselves a little bit more to that hard work we do every day to make things happen for our Army,” Bush said.
Shields was the first to be inducted. His wife, Christine Shields, accepted on his behalf.
“He was dedicated to delivering the most effective and reliable munitions and ammunition to the American Soldier and joint forces when and where they were needed,” Shields said of her husband, Jim. “The logistics he managed were complex and dynamic—constantly ongoing. Honors such as this will keep his name and his accomplishments alive and motivate others to continue pushing the envelope and going above and beyond in their commitment to this country and our warfighters.”
Jim Shields shaped what is now the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition (previously Program Executive Office Ammunition).
“The [Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition] that Mr. Shields shaped so strongly is now at the very center of our efforts to support Ukraine and its war to defend its people and democracy against Russia,” said Bush. “I couldn’t be more proud of that team, which is doing remarkable things at remarkable speed in full partnership with our [Army Materiel Command] teammates. The current team’s outstanding work is part of Jim’s legacy.”
Following Shield’s induction was the induction for Parsons, who was in attendance. Parsons served in the Senior Executive Service and concluded his dedication to public service as the director of contracting at the Office of Command Contracting Headquarters for Army Materiel Command.
“While we honor Jeff Parsons today, for his long career, I’m glad we can also recognize through his induction the outstanding work of Army contracting professionals that he led for so many years with such distinction,” Bush said. Army contracting professionals “worked miracles, frankly, to get the nation its COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and other supplies. They are working more miracles now with Ukraine, placing tens of billions of dollars of replenishment supply contracts, on contract at lightning speed, all while doing their day job of executing more than 180,000 contract actions in fiscal year 2023, just to keep the Army going day to day.”
Parsons also recognized those he worked with in his remarks, reiterating the importance of teamwork in acquisition.
“No single individual does this on their own. Without the team, I wouldn’t have been successful,” Parsons said. Pointing out the importance of senior leader support as well, Parsons said, “We set the foundation for the future. We have got a contracting force, civilian and military, supporting the Army in any type of operation.”
The Army Acquisition Hall of Fame was established in 2022 and is designed to recognize and honor former members of the Army Acquisition Workforce who have made significant and enduring contributions in support of the Army acquisition community. Sheilds and Parsons join last year’s inaugural inductees—Hon. Claude M. Bolton Jr., Hon. Kevin M. Fahey, Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene, and John L. Shipley—and represent the outstanding contributions made over many years to the mission to provide our finest men and women the very best equipment so they can do their missions for the nation.
Jeff Parsons delivers remarks during the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Washington, D.C. He was joined on stage by Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo, center, and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Douglas R. Bush.
From left, Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo, Jeff Parsons and Douglas R. Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, took part in the 2023 induction ceremony. Parsons was inducted into the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame in acknowledgment of his federal service from 1977 to 2011 and his pivotal contribution to the transformation of the Army Contracting Command.
Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo, left, Christine Shields, widow of the honoree Jim Shields, and Douglas R. Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, participated in the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct. 9, 2023. Jim Shields was posthumously inducted in recognition of his exceptional leadership across the Army ammunition enterprise from 1983 to 2017. (Photos by ASA(ALT) Public Affairs)
For more information, a recording of the 2023 Army Acquisition Hall of Fame ceremony is available on DVIDS: go to https://www.dvidshub.net/video/899784/ausa-2023-army-acquisition-hall-fame-induction-ceremony. For additional information regarding the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame, along with detailed biographies of the recipients, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/hall-of-fame.
