Assistant deputy under secretary of defense: (Transportation policy).

Ms. Mary Lou McHugh Retires after 35 Years

Thank you very much, Dr. Hamre, for officiating at my retirement. I am extremely honored and humbled by your presence. I take a great deal of pride in receiving the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award.

I am deeply touched and grateful have my family and so many colleagues from government, industry and the National Defense Transportation Association here this evening because it gives me the opportunity to thank you personally for your support. After a challenging, sometimes frustrating, but always rewarding 35 years with the Department of Defense, for me, tonight is all about remembering and thanking the people who prepared me for a wonderful career of public service, those who mentored me and worked with me and for me along the way.

My deepest love and appreciation to my parents, brothers, and sisters who gave me values to last a lifetime: a strong moral compass, courage of my convictions, determination, and perseverance. And, a belief that any job worth doing is worth doing well.

The human spirit responds to challenge and there were many leaders in my career who challenged me and I love them for it: Lieutenant General Russo when he commanded the 4th Transportation Brigade in Germany in the late 70s and I was a GS-12. Striving to achieve the expectations of his broad vision inspired me at a critical juncture in my career and gave me confidence. Thank you.

Bob Moore who took a chance that a young woman who had spent fifteen years in information technology could be effective in the transportation policy arena. He gave me my first opportunity to work on the Office of Secretary of Defense staff where I learned the power of policy. I appreciate you and Martha being here tonight.

Major General Small hired me into my first senior executive service position in 1984 as the Senior Transportation Advisor and later the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the Military Traffic Management Command. General Klugh brought me back to the Office of Secretary of Defense to the Senior Civilian Transportation position in the department. Thank you General Klugh for being here tonight and for you enthusiastic support.

I owe thanks to Dave Oliver, who was supportive on every issue I got in front of him - and it was always an unforgettable experience!

The close and essential partnership between Transportation and TRANSCOM, forged with General Kross, Lieutenant General Roger Thompson, the Deputy Commander in Chief, TRANSCOM, has continued with General Robertson and Lieutenant General Dan Brown. We don't always agree, but we persist until we get to workable solutions.

I want to pay tribute to Bill Neal, Bill Lucas and Frank Weber, my fellow SES' - the issues were important, the stakes were high, our differences often significant, but we argued, we compromised, and at the end of the day we got to solutions that were best for the department.

We in the transportation community have never had the ear and the interest of the Deputy Secretary of Defense as we had with Dr. Hamre - and I was fortunate to be in charge of transportation policy during that time.

I want to express my deep appreciation and admiration for my staff of the last eight years, especially Alan Estevez and Ken Stombaugh who can and will make anything happen - consummate consensus builders and masters at making the bureaucracy respond. Hal Amerau who served as my deputy for six years - his people and political skills are unsurpassed. Thank you, all.

Lieutenant Colonel Silvia Anderson who, while only with us for a year, left an indelible mark through her ability and willingness to dig in and solve tough, interagency issues.

Phylliss Robinson has been my secretary for many of the last eight years. I can't imagine how I'm going to survive without you.

I want to thank the interns who served in the Transportation Policy Professional Enhancement Program. Exceptional achievers whose names you should expect to see in leadership positions in the future: Lori Jones, Heidi Daverede, Marian Untermann, and Adam Yearwood who was our narrator here today. I add Lisa Roberts to that list, even though she wasn't in the professional enhancement program.

To the staff of TRANSCOM and it's component commands especially the Military Traffic Management Command, and the staffs of the military services and the Defense Logistics Agency - where the hard work of implementing new ideas really gets done -- my hat is off to you. With steadily declining resources you nobly rise to the occasion, challenging what does not make sense in the operational environment and improving the process as a result.

Because most of what we transport in the Department of Defense is transported by commercial transportation companies, I viewed improving the effectiveness of our relationships with these companies as one of my most important responsibilities. The National Defense Transportation Association, under the leadership of Jeff Crowe and Lieutenant General Honor is a powerful partner in that endeavor. General Honor has been my friend and mentor for more than 25 years. Thank you and thank you for being here this evening.

I especially value my relationships with our industry partners: Ken Gaulden and Eric Mensing -- effective advocates and vocal critics when necessary; and Tom Schwartz, Dave Quesnel, Mike McVeigh, Rob Abele, and Rick Langer. Thank you for your willingness to go out on a very long limb with us. Developing a partnership with the leaders in the household goods industry has been one of the toughest challenges of the last four years, but with partners like Mike Fergus and Buddy Morrisette hope is on the horizon. These are tough times and tough issues, but they are solvable.

Phyllis Broz, Cullen Hutchinson and Robin Baldwin have performed in ways that I can only describe as heroic in bringing change to this process.

Bob, my perfect husband, still making my dreams come true after 27 years. The best is yet to come and I can't wait for our Asian adventure to begin.

I know I'm going to miss working with these people who have dedicated significant portions of their lives to working issues critical to our national security, but it has been my privilege to serve the American people and our men and women in uniform for these 35 years and I will treasure the friendships and the memories.

Thank you.