After just one year, burner head hits road

by Jeff Schmerker
Staff Writer

After just over a year at the helm, James R. Hendricks, the site project
manager at the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, has been
transferred to Maryland.

Hendricks last week took up a new position at the Edgewood, Md.
headquarters of the Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization
(PMCD), the Army branch charged with eliminating the nation's chemical
weapons stockpile.

The Army called the reassignment a routine transfer.

Until a permanent site manager is found, Gary W. McCloskey, the site
project manager for the Johnson Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System,
will take over. The Johnston Atoll site has completed its chemical
weapons disposal mission and is currently in the closure process.

Col. Christopher F. Lesniak, the project manager for chemical stockpile
disposal, said Hendricks had been a great help in Tooele but also had
skills that would be valuable in Maryland.

"Our mission has been to safely destroy this nation's stockpile of
obsolete chemical weapons and Jim has contributed greatly to that
mission," said Lesniak. "He brings a wealth of expertise to the job and
we are looking forward to having him here at headquarters."

Hendricks' new duties will focus on special projects for PMCD, said
agency spokesman Greg Mahall.

Hendricks became the site project manager for the burner in February,
2001.

While at Tooele, McCloskey will continue to serve as the Johnston Atoll
site project manager as well.