HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: The Class of 2024 Army Acquisition Hall of Fame inductees are honored at the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame ceremony after receiving their medals. From left, Maureen Cross, Cathy Dickens, Gary Winkler and Joseph Yakovac. (Photo by Rachel Longarzo, USAASC)
WASHINGTON (Oct. 24, 2024) — Four exemplary Army Acquisition professionals were honored at the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, as they were inducted into the 2024 Army Acquisition Hall of Fame on October 15, 2024. The distinguished inductees were Maureen Cross, Cathy Dickens, Gary Winkler and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Joseph Yakovac.
“These individuals embody the most sought-after traits among our military and civilian professionals and those who lead them: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage,” said Hon. Douglas R. Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology (ASA(ALT)), and the Army acquisition executive, during his opening remarks. “They are being recognized for their significant and enduring contributions to the Army acquisition community’s historic and ongoing mission.”
Bush emphasized that these inductees represent the pinnacle of commitment, having devoted their careers to equipping the warfighter with capabilities that deter adversaries. “Our inductees exemplify the highest standards of the Army Acquisition Workforce,” he added.
Before presenting the awards, Bush noted, “The individuals we honor have been sought after through the years for their problem-solving abilities, change agent approaches and collaborative abilities, which they used wisely and effectively to embrace and further the Army acquisition’s mission.”
Bush and Hon. Gabe Camarillo, under secretary of the Army, presented the awards to each inductee. First to be honored was Maureen Cross, who served as director of the Army Systems Acquisition Review Council Secretariat and led the Plans Branch at Army Futures Command (AFC) prior to her retirement. “She was instrumental in building strong and enduring relationships between AFC’s requirements community and our acquisition community,” Bush highlighted.
Next, Cathy Dickens was inducted. Bush described her 37-year civil service career, culminating as the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command’s deputy commander. “Her connection with Soldiers in the field and firsthand understanding of their needs drove her efforts in providing critical equipment needed,” he said.
Gary Winkler, who concluded his more than 20-year civil service career as program executive officer for Enterprise Information Systems, followed. Bush praised Winkler’s leadership: “His role as a leader was to focus, develop and unleash the collective power of the workforce.”
The final inductee was Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Joseph Yakovac, who served as military deputy to the ASA(ALT) and director of the Army Acquisition Corps. “He was an early advocate for Army transformation and his vision helped pave the way for our achievements today,” Bush remarked.
The Army Acquisition Hall of Fame, established in 2022, honors former members of the Army Acquisition Workforce who have made lasting contributions to the Army’s mission in support of the Army acquisition community. Bush reiterated the significance of this recognition: “Our inductees represent the very best of the Army Acquisition Corps, having dedicated their lives to ensuring our warfighters are equipped with the capabilities that safeguard our nation. Our inductees exemplify the highest standards of the Army Acquisition Workforce.”
This year’s inductees—Maureen Cross, Cathy Dickens, Gary Winkler, and Joseph Yakovac—leave a legacy of leadership, dedication and impact that has profoundly shaped the Army’s acquisition mission and continues to ensure our Soldiers have the equipment they need to defend the nation.
A recording of the 2024 Army Acquisition Hall of Fame ceremony is available at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/35272. For more information on the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame, along with biographies of the recipients, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/hall-of-fame.
