Air Force's Hawkins takes charge as DISA director

Army Lt. Gen. Carroll Pollett officially stepped down as director of the Defense Information Systems Agency in a change-of-command ceremony held Jan. 11 at Ft. Meade, Md., where the agency is headquartered.

Taking over DISA’s reins is Air Force Maj. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins.

Pollett has served as the leader of DISA since 2008, and is retiring after a 37-year Defense Department career.

“Every part of DISA has an essential role in the accomplishments and support we have provided the Warfighter over the past three years. Our partners throughout the department, elsewhere in the government, foreign and domestic, and in industry have had critical roles as well,” Pollett said. “I want to thank them for their continued service to their country, and for the hard work they do every day.”

Hawkins returns to DISA after a brief stint at the Pentagon as the Joint Staff's deputy director, command, control, communications and computer systems, a role he has filled since July. Before his Joint Staff assignment, Hawkins was DISA's vice director under Pollett.