Date: February 5, 2007

CG recognizes civilians for outstanding service

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. — The Joint Munition and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command commander recognized four Picatinny employees for recent outstanding civilian service during a ceremony here Jan. 19.

During the ceremony, Picatinny Commanding General Maj. Gen. Paul S. Izzo presented David Banashefski, Chris Berkowicz, Kevin Leondi and Andrew Perich with commander’s awards for civilian service.

Banashefski, Berkowicz and Leondi were recognized for their efforts in completing the enhanced use lease between the Army and InSitech Inc., in September.

The EUL, which took more than five years from concept to completion, sets the stage for work that could see as much as 1.1 million square feet of developed space here. It is the largest of its kind in the Army and could conceivably be valued at about $500 million for the Army during the 50 year lease.

Izzo said the EUL will propel Picatinny into the future and help ensure the installation remains open while bringing in industry to do like-mission work with Picatinny.

Perich was recognized for his work with the rapid prototyping facility here.

The skilled staff of the manufacturing facility supports the research-and-development mission here and their work allows Picatinny concepts to reach the warfighter in a very timely fashion. The equipment they use is for prototype development and fabrication of test quantities on a wide variety of munition components for armaments.

Izzo said he was impressed by what Perich and his team “up on the hill” are doing behind the scenes in fabrication to move pieces quickly to where they need to go.

Perich recognized his coworkers and said that even as some move on to other organizations, they carry with them the spirit of the teamwork done at the facility.

Izzo also said that after high-ranking officials visit Picatinny and are shown the rapid prototyping facility and briefed on the EUL, they come away impressed by how Picatinny supports the warfighter and plans for the future.