AFSC executive director retires today Published May 2, 2014 By Kimberly Woodruff Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- After nearly two years as the top civilian in the Air Force Sustainment Center, Ross Marshall is retiring. Today, the AFSC executive director is saying goodbye after a 32-year career with the Air Force. Mr. Marshall said that standing up the sustainment center was one of the greatest challenges -- and one of the more rewarding experiences -- he's had in his career. The AFSC officially stood up in July 2012. He said to work side-by-side with someone as insightful as AFSC Commander Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield has been the capstone of his career. "I have learned so much from him and enjoyed every minute of it," Mr. Marshall said. "He is an amazing leader and we're fortunate to have him at the helm." General Litchfield feels the same about Mr. Marshall. "Ross is a role model, mentor, leader, patriot and most important of all, a great friend," General Litchfield said. "A lot of the success we enjoy within AFSC is attributed to his wisdom and counsel when it came time for big decisions. There is no doubt we will miss his leadership. He has made our Air Force better and has made significant contributions throughout his career." Mr. Marshall said some of the proudest moments of his career have been when he's seen great accomplishments by an organization he's led or been associated with. He said standing with teams from Tinker Air Force Base and Robins AFB, Ga., as they were recognized with the Robert Mason Award as the best maintenance operations in the Department of Defense was an incredible experience. He also said it was rewarding to see the pride of the F-16 radar antennae team from Hill AFB, Utah, as they leaned out their processes and took the No. 1 mission capable rate driver in the fleet to zero. "It was fun to go in and streamline the process together as a team so it was no longer an issue," he said. "To witness people accomplish wonderful things every day makes me proud to be an Air Force member and part of the Air Force Sustainment Center team," Mr. Marshall said. "Helping to remove barriers that inhibit someone's ability to reach the next level of performance is exciting and fun." Mr. Marshall said he has already spoken to the new director, Jeff Allen, and told him to get to know the people and spend as much time as he can with them, and to stay focused on the AFSC Way because it works. He said he thinks the AFSC workforce can accomplish anything "if we put our minds to it and work together." "We have great union leadership at each of our installations and the council level," he said. "Both management and union leadership are working together to make the AFSC the best in the Air Force at providing warfighter support." Mr. Marshall said while he won't be a part of the immediate team any longer, he will always feel a part of the family. "I'll always have an interest in how this team is doing, and a willingness to help in any way needed," he said. Mr. Marshall and his wife, JoLynn, are moving to Utah so they can spend more time with their family. But, he also wants to stay connected to the Air Force. That will be easy with Hill AFB close by. "I want to support the base there and assist where needed," he said. "And I'll do whatever I can to contribute." Mr. Marshall said he and his wife have thoroughly enjoyed being here at Tinker, and base leadership has enjoyed having them here. "We owe Ross and JoLynn a big thank-you for their service to our nation," General Litchfield said. "We wish them the best as they move into the next chapter of life." "We will treasure the memories and experiences we've had here," Mr. Marshall said. "We leave some wonderful friends that we'll remember forever and hope to keep in contact with the rest of our lives. I wish the members of the sustainment center and of Air Force Materiel Command all the best. I have full confidence in their ability to reach 'Art of the Possible' results and would expect nothing less from them."