MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) and Program Executive Office Land Systems (PEO LS) leadership recognized several individuals and teams during the Acquisition Excellence Awards at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Aug. 20, 2025.
Guest speaker and former MARCORSYSCOM Sergeant Major, Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner, retired, spoke at the event about the importance of teamwork within the acquisition workforce for the Marine warfighter.
“Unsung heroes … I echo those words today,” said Fortner. “There’s so much that happens [here] that impacts way more than you can ever imagine. Once I retired, Systems Command became a part of me. It never left me, no matter where I went, I always remembered Systems Command. Why? Because you touch everything that the Marine Corps does. Never lose sight of that.”
Wednesday’s ceremony marked the 21st anniversary of the Acquisition Excellence Awards.
“This has been a year where we’ve seen a lot of change,” said MARCORSYSCOM Commander Brig. Gen. Tamara Campbell. “What hasn’t changed though is we continue to ensure Marines have what they need to fight, win, and come home safely. Excellence is what we’re celebrating today and it’s not just a phrase. It goes far beyond what we do with contracts, programs, or even milestones. At Marine Corps Systems Command it means delivering the right capability, at the right time, at the right cost to the Marines who rely on us in this fight.”
The professional achievements of four individuals will also be recognized at the Marine Corps Association Acquisition Awards on Sept. 18, 2025.
“From ground combat equipment to communication systems, from life-saving protective gear to advanced weapons platforms, Marine Corps Systems Command is the connective tissue that links innovation to readiness,” said Campell. “What we do here sustains the legacy of Marines who came before us and secures the battlefield advantage for those who will follow. Acquisitions excellence is not the product of one office, one individual, or one team. It’s a collective achievement of a workforce that blends Marine Corps ethos with world class technical expertise.”
The following awards recognized individuals and teams who made significant contributions to the MARCORSYSCOM mission:
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Andrew J. Higgins Award: Lt. Col. Sean Docherty – PEO LS
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Eugene M. Stoner Award: Master Sgt. Paul Rukenbrod – Tactical Communications and Electromagnetic Warfare
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Donald Roebling Award: Chun Chou – PEO LS
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Lawrence Kreitzer Leadership Award: Clint Govar – Ground Weapons Systems
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Col. Richard "Dick" Bates Award: Jessica Cairns - PEO Manpower, Logistics, and Business Solutions
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Excellence in Acquisition Support Award: Michelle Blake
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Excellence in Command Support: Amanda Hyde
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Excellence in Command Support (Team): Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (Enterprise, Staging and Delivery)
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Excellence in Contract Management: Kathleen Keys
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Excellence in Contract Management (Team): Remote Network Access Rapid Procurement Team
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Excellence in Financial Management: Krystal Porter
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Excellence in Financial Management (Team): Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Command & Control Financial Management Team
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Excellence in Logistics & Product Support: Kevin Lamour
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Excellence in Logistics & Product Support (Team): Product Manager Infantry Weapons, MARCORSYSCOM South - Albany
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Excellence in MAGTF Engineering: Ryan Kresse
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Excellence in MAGTF Engineering (Team): Long Range Unmanned Surface Vessel Engineering Team
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Excellence in MAGTF Information Technology: John Bobst
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Excellence in MAGTF Information Technology (Team): Enterprise Logistics Support Systems Team
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Excellence in Operations Research / Systems Analysis: Michael Musatow
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Excellence in Operations Research / Systems Analysis (Team): Expeditionary Radars Cost Estimating and Analysis Team
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Excellence in Program Management: Joshua Adams
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Excellence in Program Management (Team): Marine Air Defense Integrated System Integrated Product Team
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Innovation Award: Capt. Jameson Hastings
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Innovation Award (Team): Warfighter Support Division, Digital Solutions Branch
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2023 USD (C) Financial Management Awards - Contributions to Financial Integrity and Audit Results (HQ and Major CMD Level): Jessica Cairns
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2024 Defense Acquisition Awards – Individual Achievement Award for Program Management: Col. Timothy Hough
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2024 Copernicus Award: Rodrick Adams
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2024 DON Financial Management Awards – Contributions to Leverage Data Analytics: John Bobst
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2024 NAVWAR Lightning Bolt Team Excellence Award – Quarter 4: Mobile Field Service Team
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2024 DON Sean J. Stackley Acquisition Excellence Awards:
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Acquisition Professional of the Year: Julian Moreno-Villegas
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Competition Excellence Acquisition Team of the Year: Marine Corps Wideband Satellite Communication – Light and Heavy – Contracts and Legal Team