FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Members of the 412th Contracting Support Brigade at Fort Sam
Houston welcomed their new commander during a ceremony at the Quadrangle Sept. 23, 2015.
Col. Dennis McGowan assumed command from Col. Tim Strange in
a change-of-command ceremony officiated by Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Gabbert, commanding general for the Mission
and Installation Contracting Command.
“It is clear the 412th needs a leader who is strong,
adaptable, experienced, knowledgeable and compassionate. These characteristics
are what you will find in Col. Dennis McGowan.” Gabbert said, noting his most
recent command of the 418th CSB during a deployment to Afghanistan. “It is your
task to lead this ready, transparent and accountable organization that is built
on trust and respect.”
McGowan led Soldiers from the 418th CSB headquarters at Fort
Hood, Texas, and lower echelons in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel,
returning home Sept. 1.
In April, he assumed command of the mission from the U.S.
Central Command Joint Theater Support Contracting Command headquarters to serve
as the senior Department of Defense contracting official deployed in the
Afghanistan area of responsibility. He and brigade members made up the command
and control element in the standup of Expeditionary Contracting
Command-Afghanistan.
Prior to deploying with the brigade, he served as MICC chief
of staff from August 2014 to January 2015.
“I thank God for the many opportunities I’ve been blessed
with in my Army career,” McGowan said. “It humbles me to have this opportunity
to lead the civilians and Soldiers of the 412th. I look forward to doing so
with distinction, honor and great respect.”
The MICC commanding general also recognized the outgoing
brigade commander for achieving extraordinary outcomes under his leadership
that included expanding to six subordinate contracting offices and directing
the training of more than 1,900 personnel in joint operational contracting
support exercises.
Strange, who prepares to retire after serving as commander
and principal assistant responsible for contracting for the 412th CSB since
July 2012, said he shares his accomplishments with members of the brigade.
“None of those accomplishments were mine. They were all as a
result of a great team of hard-working professionals that I was just a part
of,” Strange said.
The 412th CSB, a
subordinate command to the MICC, provides contracting support to numerous
supported activities. Those include the Army North, Army Reserve Command, Army
Human Resources Command, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for
Installation Management, Army Cadet Command and Army Recruiting Command.