Mr. Ray Colón is currently completing a one-year special assignment in the Pentagon serving as 155mm Artillery and Industrial Base advisor to the US Army Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management (DASM) and the Military Deputy (MILDEP) to the Army Acquisition Executive.  During this time, Mr. Colon was instrumental in helping to secure significant funding from Congress and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to support accelerating 155mm production as well as dramatically expanding and modernizing the 155mm artillery industrial base.  These activities will result in an extraordinary increase in 155mm artillery capacity which will enable the Army to support Ukraine requirements, the US Army replenishment efforts, and Foreign Military Sales to our allies.

Upon his return to Picatinny, NJ in April 2024 he will resume his role as Chief for the Conventional Ammunition Division (CAD), Project Manager for Combat Ammunition Systems (PM CAS). Mr. Colón has over 34 years of Acquisition and Program management experience.  Mr. Colón oversees the portfolio of conventional mortars and artillery ammunition used by the US Army, US Marine Corps, US Air Force Special Operations, and many allied countries. He is responsible for the development, acquisition and production of the aforementioned items while managing a yearly budget of over $1B dollars per year. He directly supervises over 50 engineering, administrative and acquisition personnel.

In addition, Mr. Colón is also currently supporting the Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) CFT by presiding over the development of high priority programs such as the 155mm M1128 Base Bleed projectile, the XM1113 and Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile, the Multi-Option Fuze Artillery II (MOFA II), and the future 155mm propelling charge program. 

            Mr. Colón’s former positions include Chief, Conventional Mortar Ammunition Branch, PM CAS; Lead Systems Engineer/Strategic Planning Officer in PEO Ammo; Program Management Engineer, NLOS-Mortar in PEO Ammo; Project Management Engineer in Crusader Program; and Systems Engineer for the M119 Howitzer and 155mm M777 Lightweight Howitzer programs.

Mr. Colón obtained his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Puerto Rico, School of Engineering in 1989. He holds dual Acquisition Level III Certifications in Program Management and Systems Engineering, he is Lean Six Sigma Green belt certified, and is a graduate of the Army Management Staff College. He is the recipient of two Commander’s Awards for Civilian Service, and a team member for David Packard Award for Excellence in Acquisition.  Mr. Colón is a member of the Order of Saint Barbara (Artillery) and in 2019 received the NDIA Firepower award.