TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. — Air Force Sustainment Center Commander Lt. Gen. Lee K. Levy II didn’t have to go far to find a successor for his recently retired executive director.
Kevin Stamey, who had previously served as the AFSC’s Director of Engineering and Technical Management, physically moved from the second floor of Bldg. 3001 to the first floor to succeed Mr. Jeffrey Allen, who retired Oct. 3 after 40 years of service to the United States Air Force.
Mr. Stamey, who officially assumed his new role on Oct. 23, said the first thing that crossed his mind after being named the AFSC’s new executive director was measuring up to some of the “giants” who have held the position before him, men like Bob Conner and Garry Richie.
“These were people I idolized,” he said.
While the responsibilities of the position have changed somewhat over the years due to the 5-center construct reorganization back in 2012, Mr. Stamey said he was “in awe of their ability to manage an enormous enterprise.”
He said the more recent executive directors, like Ross Marshall and Mr. Allen, arguably had even greater responsibility as the AFSC enterprise now encompasses more than 43,000 military and civilian Airmen and $7 billion in annual production revenue.
“I am humbled with the opportunity and keenly sensitive to the importance AFSC has to our national security,” Mr. Stamey said.
On a personal note, Mr. Stamey said he and his wife, Debi, have lived in Oklahoma longer than any place else during his nearly 30-year Air Force career and consider the Sooner State home.
“Our children were born here and most of our closest friends are here, so we are thrilled to spend another assignment in Oklahoma,” he said.
Mr. Stamey will be responsible for assisting the AFSC commander in providing operational planning and execution of Air Force supply chain management and depot maintenance missions for a wide range of aircraft, engines, missiles and component items in support of Air Force Materiel Command missions.
He will assist in overseeing operations, which span three air logistics complexes, three air base wings, two supply chain management wings and multiple remote locations that incorporate more than 43,000 military and civilian personnel.
In addition, he will be tasked with helping ensure installation support to more than 75,000 personnel working in 140 associate units at the three AFSC bases.
“Mr. Stamey is absolutely the right man for the job at the right time,” Levy said. “He has a wealth of knowledge about the AFSC mission and brings nearly 30 years experience to the position.”
Mr. Stamey began his career in 1988 as an aerospace engineer at Tinker Air Force Base. He has served in a broad range of senior positions in acquisition, sustainment and maintenance organizations.
He served as Director of Engineering for the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, where he provided technical oversight of 69 programs and projects including six ACAT I programs.
Mr. Stamey has also served as the Chief of the Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command Systems Engineering Division and as Chief Engineer for the Cruise Missile Product Group for systems such as the advanced cruise missile and the conventional air launched cruise missile.
His assignments have also included serving as the chief engineer for the E-3 System Sustainment Manager and as a project engineer for several systems including the B-2, B-52 and other special projects.
“I am confident the AFSC will continue to flourish under Mr. Stamey’s leadership,” Levy said. “I wish he and Debi the very best moving forward in this new capacity. They’re amazing Airmen.”