Host:
Mr. Chris P. Manning – Capability Program Executive Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare
What:
Project Manager Space Superiority and Exploitation Assumption of Charter Ceremony for Colonel Carter G. Deekens
When:
Friday, July 31st. 2026 at 10am
Where:
Humphreys Engineering Center
7701 Telegraph Road, Building 2594, Casey Building, Room 140A
Alexandria, Virginia 22315
Mr. Chris P. Manning
Mr. Chris P. Manning assumed the role of Capability Program Executive for Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare (CPE ISW) on June 9, 2026. As the CPE, he provides technical and managerial oversight for the development and acquisition of the Army’s portfolio of intelligence; electronic warfare; cyber; integrated base defense; force protection; positioning, navigation, and timing; biometrics; and target recognition acquisition programs. These capabilities, spanning more than 70 Programs of Record and Quick Reaction Capabilities and valued at $12.7 billion across the Army Future Years Defense Program, provide a more detailed understanding of the battlefield.
Formerly, Mr. Manning was the Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Command and Control (C2) and Counter C2, where he led acquisition reform efforts to accelerate rapid fielding of mission-critical capabilities to the warfighter. As the Deputy, Mr. Manning focused on streamlining acquisition processes to reduce redundancies and inefficiencies across the acquisition enterprise. He advised the Portfolio Acquisition Executive and other Army Senior Leaders on the optimization of resource allocation to make trade-offs that meet warfighter needs more efficiently.
Concurrently, Mr. Manning served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, DASA(R&T), where he was the principal planner, coordinator, and reviewer for the detailed management of research, exploratory development, and advanced development programs. Mr. Manning was responsible for technical oversight, research policy, and professional development for more than 13,000 Army Scientists and Engineers.
Prior to DASA(R&T), Mr. Manning served as the Deputy Director for Force Development, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8 and was responsible for planning, programming, and budgeting research, development, and acquisition for the Army’s major investment programs totaling $30 billion annually.
Mr. Manning began his career as an officer in the Army after graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He later served in several Army civilian Acquisition Program Manager positions in various Program Executive Offices for over 12 years. Mr. Manning’s experience includes numerous science and technology (S&T) leadership roles and Senior Executive leadership experience in Army Labs. He earned his master’s degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, while also graduating with a master’s certificate in technology management from the Wharton School.
Colonel Carter G. Deekens
COL Carter Deekens assumed responsibility as the Project Manager for Space Superiority and Exploitation (PM SSE) in July 2026. He leads an organization responsible for delivering advanced space and sensing capabilities that transform data from national, space, and terrestrial sources into actionable intelligence for Army operations.
COL Deekens was commissioned as an Armor Officer through the University of Virginia in 2003 and has more than 23 years of experience in acquisition and operational assignments. His first assignment was with 3-7 Cavalry at Fort Stewart, GA as a Scout Platoon Leader and Troop XO, including a year-long deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Following the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, he served as the Troop Commander for 5-15 Cavalry and the Battalion Assistant S-3 for 3-81 Armor at Fort Knox, KY.
He was assessed into the Army Acquisition Corps in 2010 and has served in numerous acquisition roles that include: Military Evaluator at Army Evaluation Command; Assistant Product Manager (APM) for Air Vigilance at Army Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP); APM for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) under Program Manager, Special Programs, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM); Department of the Army System Coordinator (DASC); Assistant Executive Officer (AXO) for the Principal Military Deputy (MILDEP) for ASA(ALT); Training with Industry Fellowship (TWI) with Microsoft; Program Manager for Tactical Applications at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO); Acquisition Advisor to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (VCSA). Most recently, COL Deekens was the Executive Officer (XO) for the Army Acquisition Executive at the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) (ASA(ALT)).
COL Deekens holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University.
He has numerous awards and decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, and NATO Medal. Additionally, he has earned the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Space Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.
COL Deekens and his wife, Tammy, have three children: Jackson (17), Andrew (16), and Ella (13).
CLICK HERE TO R.S.V.P.
Please fill out the r.s.v.p form below.
Mr. Chris P. Manning
Capability Program Executive
Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare
Cordially invites you to the
Project Manager Space Superiority and Exploitation
Assumption of Charter Ceremony
for
Colonel Carter G. Deekens
Friday, the thirty-first day of July
two thousand and twenty-six
at ten o’clock in the morning
Humphreys Engineering Center
7701 Telegraph Road, Building 2594,
Casey Building, Room 140A
Alexandria, Virginia 22315
*Reception immediately following*
Military: Duty Uniform
Civilian: Business Attire