WASHINGTON — The Army today swore in its new leader of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology ASA(ALT) shop, one of the service’s major weapons-buying offices.
Brent Ingraham, who has been serving in the federal government for 15 years, is preceded by Jesse Tolleson, who was serving as both the acting lead and the deputy of ASA(ALT). Tolleson will now solely serve as Ingraham’s deputy.
“Mr. Ingraham will oversee a $170 billion portfolio across more than 550 Army acquisition programs, ensuring Soldiers remain equipped with cutting-edge technologies and capabilities to meet future challenges,”an announcement from the Army read. “Under his leadership, ASA(ALT) will continue to drive innovation, acquisition excellence, and logistical readiness for the Army.”
Most recently Ingraham was performing the duties of deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, and prior to that he was the deputy assistant secretary of defense for platform and weapon portfolio management, according to an announcement from the Army today.
He also served as the executive director of the Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell where he was the chief engineer for the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle and director of surface warfare.
Ingraham’s swearing in comes after he was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday following his appointment by President Donald Trump earlier this year. The Senate also confirmed on Thursday dozens of other presidential appointees, including Michael Obadal, who will be the Army’s No. 2 civilian leader as the service’s undersecretary.
Prior to Obadal, David Fitzgerald was performing the duties of acting undersecretary while also serving as the Army’s chief operating officer and chief management officer. Gabe Camarillo, a Biden-era appointee, served as the undersecretary prior to Fitzgerald before leaving his post at the end of January.
Obadal comes to his new role after working as a senior director at defense neo-prime Anduril, a firm that has been awarded several high profile Army contracts, such as Next Generation Command and Control, the new Integrated Visual Augmentation System recompete and more.
According to his public financial disclosure report, he holds between $250,000 and $500,000 “vested restricted stock” with the company, and the same amount in unvested restricted stock, Breaking Defense previously reported following Obadal’s Senate nomination hearing in the spring.
But since the tech startup isn’t publicly traded and he holds equity in the company that he can’t sell off like stocks, the plan, he confirmed to the committee, is to hold on to that vested equity while adhering to guidelines worked out with the Office of Government Ethics and following associated laws.