It is with deepest sympathy that we report the passing of Ernest J. Gregory, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller), a past member of the ASMC National Executive Committee, and lifelong friend and mentor to the Department of Defense financial management community.  Mr. Gregory passed on October 5, 2015 after a valiant three month fight against a brain tumor.  Ernie is survived by his loving wife Johanna and his children Maura, Ernest Jr., and Jason. 

              Ernie was a lifetime member of ASMC, served as Vice President (Army) from 1999-2000, a speaker at innumerable Professional Development Institutes and Washington Chapter events, and a beloved colleague and friend.  His 37 years of service to his country touched and inspired the professional and personal lives of many of us.  His tireless efforts focused upon Financial Management support of warfighters and their families and driving high performance in financial operations.  Also, his dedication to the training, professional development, and mentoring of others inspired us all.  It is with deepest respect and gratitude that the ASMC National Executive Committee has approved naming an ASMC National Achievement Award in honor of Ernie and his contributions to defense financial management.  The first annual “Ernest J. Gregory” Comptroller/Deputy Comptroller Achievement Award will be presented to a deserving individual selected based upon his or her outstanding achievements in financial management in the position of a Comptroller or Deputy Comptroller at our National PDI in Orlando during the period 1-3 June 2016. 

              The following is excerpted from the remarks made on the floor of the Congress on the occasion of his retirement in 2004, by then Congressman Tom Davis, Chair of the House Government Reform Committee:

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              Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Mr. Ernest J. Gregory is retiring after 37 years of exemplary Federal service, initially with the United States Air Force and then as a career civil servant in the Department of Defense (DoD). Mr. Gregory is a gifted leader and manager, and has served his country with dignity, honor and integrity.  Ernest Gregory, a native of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a 1967 graduate of the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from that institution. He began his service to the Nation in 1968, when he entered the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer at the Strategic Air Command, Loring Air Force Base, Maine. 

              Upon completing his military term in 1972, Mr. Gregory was hired as a staff auditor for the U.S. Army Audit Agency in Philadelphia.

              In 1982, Mr. Gregory was selected to join the Army secretariat staff as assistant comptroller for internal review, office of the comptroller of the Army. He was a relentless master in reviewing financial management systems and integrating measures to address shortcomings uncovered during the process.

              In January 1993, the Army acknowledged Mr. Gregory's abilities and leadership, elevating him to the Senior Executive Service and the position of deputy assistant secretary of the Army for financial operations. As deputy assistant secretary, he was responsible for all Army policy, programs, systems and procedures associated with the service's accounting and finance operations, financial systems and internal review and controls. He took charge of combating fraud, waste and abuse.

              Mr. Gregory was again promoted in February 2002, when Ms. Sandra Pack, then assistant secretary of the Army (financial management and comptroller), chose him as her principal deputy. (When she departed the Army in December 2003, he succeeded Ms. Pack as acting assistant secretary and served in that role for eight months.) During his tenure as principal deputy, Mr. Gregory shared responsibility for the development, formulation and advocation of policies and programs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. Army resource management. He took bold and decisive measures to improve business procedures, and tirelessly pursued financial system integration and streamlining of Army processes.

              On every day of his service to our country, Mr. Gregory demonstrated honor, integrity and personal courage. He projected the values and the broad perspective of the government, and provided the solid executive skills demanded by the American public. He helped to ensure that the Army was of the highest quality and was responsive to the needs, policies and goals of the Nation.

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We will all miss Ernie and our most sincere condolences go out to his family.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ernie's memory to either Voices Against Brain Cancer or The Wounded Warrior Project.  Please keep Ernie’s family in your thoughts and prayers and consider making a contribution to one of these great charities in Ernie’s name.