Jette, McPherson confirmed as Army acquisition executive and general counsel

The Army has its first Senate-confirmed acquisition executive in nearly two years, as lawmakers approved Bruce Jette on a voice vote yesterday.

During a Nov. 9 nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jette backed acquisition reform, telling lawmakers a "four-pronged approach" is required to overcome the Army's historical modernization challenges.

Jette backed the cross-functional teams established by Army senior leaders to expedite the acquisition process, characterizing the existing system as insufficiently agile to keep pace with innovative adversaries.

The founding director of the Army's Rapid Equipping Force, Jette pushed for greater integration of commercial technologies and for a heightened use of prototyping.

The White House announced Jette's selection for the post Oct. 5, formally transmitting the nomination the same day. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved his nomination Nov. 14.

The position has been filled on an acting basis since the January 2016 resignation of Heidi Shyu. Katrina McFarland served in the post from February to November 2016 and was succeeded by Steffanie Easter.

Also on Dec. 20, the Senate confirmed James McPherson to serve as Army general counsel.

McPherson was the president's second nominee for the post. His selection was announced Oct. 12, following the Sept. 28 withdrawal of the nomination of Ryan Newman. The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on his nomination and those of two others on Nov. 14.