Department of Defense news release (Jan. 17, 2006): Defense Contract Management Agency leadership torch passes to Keith Ernst.

In a Jan. 12, change-of-leadership ceremony attended by Defense Department dignitaries, former Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) directors, and current DCMA employees, Air Force Maj. Gen. Darryl A. Scott relinquished the agency directorship to Keith D. Ernst. Ernst, who has been DCMA deputy director since October 2005, will serve as acting director until a military successor to Scott is appointed.

Presiding over the 45-minute ceremony at DCMA headquarters in Alexandria, Va., was Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) Kenneth J. Krieg. Krieg expressed regret about the departure of Scott, but lauded the appointment of Ernst and the qualities, experience, and leadership skills the former Marine Corps pilot and acquisition veteran brings to the job.

Krieg gave great praise to what Scott has done for DCMA during the past 25 months, particularly in the area of customer support, and characterized the general as one of those gifted leaders whose "lessons will live on long after he's left the organization." Krieg thanked the departing director for his exceptional leadership in a time of great change, as well as for what Scott is "willing to take on" as he assumes his next assignment in Baghdad, as commander, Joint Contracting Command-Iraq and Afghanistan.

Scott, who assumed leadership of DCMA on December 5, 2003, expressed his gratitude for having had the opportunity to serve as DCMA director and told the attendees that serving with them had been a "blessing and an honor." He told the audience that he continues to be extremely impressed by the inordinate degree to which members of the DCMA family care about the customer, the mission, and their fellow workers.

"The challenge is to keep moving forward, and I believe you can" said Scott. "As I leave here and become your most demanding customer, I do so without fear, knowing that every system, every piece of hardware, every critical service has passed under the watchful eye of the men and women of the Defense Contract Management Agency. You are the very best."

In accepting the appointment to the position of DCMA acting director, Ernst pledged to go forward with the vision set forth by Scott. He emphasized the continued importance of performance-based management and the conversion of customer requirements into customer outcomes, stating, "We must hold ourselves individually and collectively responsible for achieving those outcomes."

Gelli is a member of the DCMA Office of Congressional and Public Affairs.