MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- Col. Stephen Medeiros became Maintenance Center Albany’s newest leader during a change of command ceremony June 29 in front of MCA.
Medeiros, whose prior assignment was operations officer, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, Quantico, Va., took over from Col. Terry W. Reid.
Medeiros is also the commander, Maintenance Center Barstow, Calif., and the commanding officer, Headquarters Group East, Marine Corps Logistics Command.
Medeiros told the MCA workforce it was “an honor and a privilege to be your new commander. I look forward to the next two years. There’s going to be some great work together to sustain the work done by Colonel Reid. We will continue to sustain and improve the right processes for the right output at the right time for the warfighter and we will do it together. We will learn the new orientations together. We will sustain all production and we will continue to improve our business. That’s what it’s all about, our business and our production for the warfighter.”
The new commander thanked Reid for all his great work here, and said he and his wife wished the Reid family Godspeed on their next assignment.
Maj. Gen. James A. Kessler, commanding general, Logistics Command, welcomed Medeiros and his wife, Sirrah, to the Logistics Command family.
“To Colonel Medeiros and Sirrah, thank you so much. You are imminently qualified for this job and you’re going to pick up the ball (from) Colonel Reid that was handed off and send it to new heights, I have absolutely no doubt,” Kessler said. “(There are) lots of change in store. You are well aware of that and I believe you are well equipped to take that on. Colonel Medeiros, we wish you the very best.”
Reid’s next assignment is with the U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he will have the opportunity to work on Marine Corps issues in a joint environment.
He served as the MCA commander since July 2009, and under his leadership, MCA received several accolades and awards such as the 2011 Manufacturer of the Year, the 2011 Excellence and Innovation and the 2010 U.S. Marine Corps Continuous Process Improvement Excellence Award.
During the ceremony, Kessler presented Reid with a Legion of Merit, Gold Star in lieu of second award, for his exceptional, meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as the commander, MCA, and group commander, Logistics Command, from July 2009 to June 2011.
Kessler also presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Reid’s wife, Jackie, for faithful and devoted service in support of her husband and MCA.
He thanked the Reids for a tremendous command tour.
“We’re here to thank Colonel Terry Reid and his wife, Jackie, for a superb job as the command team here at Maintenance Center Albany,” Kessler said. “Colonel Reid is truly one of the most well-balanced officers I think I’ve met. Not only has he set an extremely high standard professionally in the performance of the maintenance center, but his involvement in the community, his involvement with our families, his involvement with his church, his involvement with community sports and soccer with their daughter. (He is) just an incredibly well-balanced officer who contributed immensely to our success.”
Kessler added the Reids would be missed here.
Reid described being a commander as an opportunity to serve.
“The Marine Corps gives us that opportunity and it’s all too sweet and it’s all too short,” he said.
He thanked the local community for its Southern hospitality.
“Two years ago you opened up your arms and welcomed the Reid family to Albany,” he said. “Thank you for that.”
Reid also praised the community for its partnership and great support of MCA and other base organizations. He thanked Marines, civilian-Marines, his staff and family for their many achievements and support.
“My citation reflects all that you did in the past couple of years for our team,” he said. “I keep reminding myself that I didn’t turn one wrench. I didn’t weld one part. You are responsible for our success here. Thank you for that. I brag about you because there is an atmosphere of excellence here at Maintenance Center Albany. I couldn’t be successful without you doing what you do ... I salute you.”
Reid left Medeiros with some encouraging words.
“I know you are going to do some awesome things here,” Reid said. “You have an awesome challenge, but you have an awesome team that’s going to support you. If you take care of these Marines and civilian-Marines, they will not let you down. Jackie and I want to wish you and Sirrah the best of luck here.”