Army inducts newest Senior Executive Service member

By CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public AffairsJune 17, 2019

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dr. Barton H. Halpern, Army Research Office director (left) is inducted into the Senior Executive Service by Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Philip Perconti (right) during a ceremony at the Army Research Office at Research Triangle Park, North ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- The U.S. Army inducted a new member to its Senior Executive Service during a ceremony at the Army Research Office June 7.

Dr. Barton H. Halpern, director of the Army Research Office, an element of the Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, took the oath of office during an SES pinning and induction ceremony hosted by ARL Director Dr. Philip Perconti.

"To be appointed as an SES is one of the highest opportunities within the civilian career pool," Perconti said during the ceremony. "It's held only by those who exhibit superior executive leadership and uphold the highest standards of leadership for the nation."

The SES was designed by Congress to be an elite corps of managers and administrators charged with running the federal government. In the Army, senior executives are the civilian counterparts of general officers.

"Induction into the SES comes with significant responsibility to lead and shake the organization for the position held," Perconti said. "It comes with personal sacrifice and unyielding dedication to the Army and to the United States, not only on Bart's part but also on his family's part as well."

Of the 330,000 civilians who work in the Army, only about 260 are SES members.

"To be a leader of this magnitude, one must encompass the executive level skills required to develop, to motivate and to inspire employees, to influence and drive change at multiple levels and above all, harvest impactful results," Perconti said. "Bart's selection is indicative of not only his professionalism, but also his potential for success in carrying out the duties of an SES and his character in how he upholds the Army values."

Halpern was named ARO director in April. There he leads an organization of more than 100 scientists, engineers and support staff who manage the Army's extramural research program to create new and innovative scientific discoveries that will enable crucial future Army technologies and capabilities.

"It's because of leaders that I have worked for and with, and because of teammate and comrades, that I have developed my leadership skills," Halpern said. "Relationships are at the core of my philosophy of leadership. I learned to be bold in my vision and bolder in my actions… and empower employees."

ARO has a research portfolio that exceeds $450 million, including more than 1,100 single investigator research projects, more than 40 multidisciplinary research centers and two University Affiliated Research Centers. ARO also manages the Small Business Technology Transfer Program and Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minorities Institutions Programs.

"I look forward to working with Army Research Laboratory, Army Research Office, and CCDC in this new role and capacity to help shape the future workforce and future leaders here in bringing forth technology to support the soldiers," Halpern said.

Halpern has more than thirty years of experience in federal government program management with the Department of Defense and private industry.

For the past decade, Halpern served in the Joint Service Small Arms Program Office at the CCDC Armaments Center located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. Most recently, in a dual role as the chief technology officer for Small Arms and the NATO chairman for the Dismounted Soldier, Weapons and Sensors Sub Group, he provided technical and programmatic advice, leading science and technology initiatives across the joint services and international research and development programs.

Halpern earned a doctorate in organization management from Capella University, a master of science in technology management from Stevens Institute of Technology and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Hartford.

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The CCDC Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is an element of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. As the Army's corporate research laboratory, ARL discovers, innovates and transitions science and technology to ensure dominant strategic land power. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, CCDC leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more effective to win our Nation's wars and come home safely. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.

Related Links:

Army Research Laboratory

U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command

Army Futures Command