LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Linda Waters Reed upon the occasion of
her retirement after 42 years of distinguished service to the United
States Air Force

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant accomplishments in the distinguished careers of esteemed
residents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Individuals who dedicate their lives to military service
merit the commendation and applause of all citizens for their commitment
to the preservation of American freedom; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Linda Waters Reed upon the occasion of her retirement after 42 years of
distinguished service to the United States Air Force; this momentous
occasion was celebrated on Monday, February 22, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Linda Waters Reed completed her 42 year military career as
Chief of the Contracting Division, Information Directorate, Air Force
Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), in Rome,
New York; and
WHEREAS, The Information Directorate is the Air Force's premier
research organization for command, control, communications, computers
and intelligence (C4I) and cyber technologies; the mission of this
Directorate is to explore, prototype and demonstrate high-impact, game
changing technologies that enable the Air Force and Nation to maintain
its superior technical advantage; and
WHEREAS, In her capacity as Chief, Linda Waters Reed is the key
contracting advisor on business management matters to the Director and
staff, fully participating in decision making actions for the Informa-
tion Directorate; and
WHEREAS, In addition, this esteemed woman determines contracting poli-
cies and procedures pertaining to the establishment and management of
contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and other transactions; she
also manages the annual budget and directs the activities of 70 contract
specialist personnel; and
WHEREAS, Linda Waters Reed began her illustrious career in September
of 1973 as a clerk stenographer in the Reliability Physics Section,
Reliability and Compatibility Division, Rome Air Development Center
(RADC), Air Force Systems Command (ASFC); she was competitively selected
as secretary in 1978 for the Research and Development (R&D) Computer
Facilities Branch, Information Sciences Division, and two years later
was selected to be the administrative assistant for the Telecommuni-
cations Branch, Communications and Control Division; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the next four decades, Linda Waters Reed would
climb the ranks to hold such positions as buyer and contracting officer
for the RADC, AFSC, and contract specialist and contracting officer for
the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Joint Systems
Program Office (JSPO), Munition Systems Division, AFMC at Eglin Air
Force Base; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Linda Waters Reed served on the Headquarters
(HQ) AFMC contracting staff at Wright Patterson Air Force Base as a
procurement analyst in the Science and Technology (S&T) Division and
Contracting Policy and Process Division; and
WHEREAS, Transferring to the Acquisition Development Office of Hanscom
Air Force Base in Massachusetts, Linda Waters Reed championed acquisi-
tion reform initiatives, advocated policy changes, re-engineered exist-
ing business practices, provided acquisition tools and training,

supported ESC's planning and corporate initiative, and provided advice
to ESC's acquisition teams; and
WHEREAS, Linda Waters Reed was promoted to Chief, Strategic and Nucle-
ar Deterrence Contracting Division in April of 2000; in this capacity
she performed functions for highly complex, long and short term acquisi-
tions for major systems within Cheyenne Mountain; and
WHEREAS, In August of 2001, Linda Waters Reed joined the staff of the
Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate as the Deputy
Chief of the Contracting Division, and just three years later, assumed
the role of Chief of the Contracting Division, the esteemed position
from which she retired; and
WHEREAS, Linda Waters Reed has been the recipient of countless awards
and accolades some of which include, the ESC Outstanding Contracting
Chief, AFRL Secretary of the Air Force Professionalism in Contracting
Award, Exemplary Civilian Service Award, HQ AFMC Outstanding S&T
Contracting Unit and Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Lieutenant Colonel
Russell Steven Reed and their two sons, Russell II and Ryan, all of whom
feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demon-
strated by Linda Waters Reed over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication
to others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Linda Waters Reed upon the occasion of her retirement after 42
years of distinguished service to the United States Air Force; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Linda Waters Reed.