Southern Indiana Business Report
CRANE – Col. Franyate D. Taylor became the 21st commander of Crane Army Ammunition Activity during a change command ceremony July 20. The ceremony took place at a Crane Army munitions receiving facility in the presence of family, friends and colleagues. Outgoing commander, Col. Santee Vasquez, symbolically relinquished command by passing the command colors to Taylor.
Taylor began her Army career as an enlisted soldier in 1991 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Ordnance Corps from Officers Candidate School, Fort Benning, Ga., in April 1999. Taylor’s most recent assignment was in Battle Creek, Mich., where she served as the Deputy Director for Defense Logistics Agency, Disposition.
“I am humbled for the opportunity to work, lead and interact with this great team—both at Joint Munitions Command and here at Crane,” said Taylor. “Thanks to Santee and the team for bringing me into the fold seamlessly. The kindness and open communication facilitated a seamless transition to Crane.”
The change of command ceremony is a tradition that symbolizes a peaceful military transition of power and recognizes the outgoing commander’s accomplishments while welcoming the incoming commander to the organization.
Leadership from Crane Army’s higher headquarters presided over the ceremony. As the senior reviewing officer, Col. Ronnie Anderson, Commander, Joint Munitions Command, provided congratulatory remarks to Vasquez on a successful completion of her tour as commander and welcomed Taylor to her new command.
“During her tenure, Col. Vasquez was keenly focused on human capital and spearheaded Army Materiel Command’s high priority Project Inclusion campaign plan; she oversaw development of multiple listening sessions to solicit meaningful feedback from all levels of the chain of command and held leaders accountable for correcting gaps in communication,” said Anderson during his remarks at the ceremony. “She hosted a series of ‘Lunch and Learn’ presentations for delivery from Crane Army leadership to all levels of the chain of command with a focus on building trust, inclusion, dignity, respect and two-way communication.”
Also in attendance was Sgt. Maj. Christopher Reaves, the Command Sergeant Major for Joint Munitions Command.
In her next assignment Vasquez will serve as the Deputy G4, United States Africa Command, located in Stuttgart, Germany.
“Command is not a solo effort, and at the heart of everything these two years are the folks that worked with and alongside me during this assignment and truly enabled our success,” said Vasquez. “Crane employees, thank you for trusting me. I look back on what this organization was when I first got here. You were already a stupendous business and organization recognized for excellence. You are truly unmatched as an organization and I have truly learned so much from you, not only personally, but as a leader and I’m honored to take those lessons with me.”
Crane Army Ammunition Activity produces and provides conventional munitions in support of U.S. Army and Joint Force readiness. It is part of the Joint Munitions Command and the U.S. Army Materiel Command, which include arsenals, depots, activities, and ammunition plants. Established in October 1977, it is located on Naval Support Activity Crane.