United States Department of Defense

NEW DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY DIRECTOR NAMED

Air Force Major General Robert J. Courter, Jr., has been selected today to be the next director of the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) today. John McGowan, the agency's chief operating officer, will be promoted to serve as the chief executive officer.

"Gen. Courter and John McGowan will be a strong team. They have the background, management skills and commitment needed to continue to make shopping in commissary stores attractive to our military families. They will work within the Department of Defense and with industry to ensure that DeCA business operations are efficient," said Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel Readiness Rudy de Leon. "Strong and effective leadership of DeCA is critical. The commissary benefit is important to military families, who say it is their most important non-pay benefit," de Leon added.

Courter is currently serving as the director of Plans and Programs for Air Force Materiel Command headquarters. McGowan has more than 35 years military and civilian experience in commissary operations.