Juanita Christensen
Juanita M. Christensen (formerly Harris) is an American government official and electronics engineer. She is the deputy chief of staff for logistics (G4) of facilities and environmental at the United States Army Materiel Command. From November 2017 until January 2021, Christensen was director of the United States Army Aviation and Missile Center, during which time (in February 2105) she became the first African-American woman from Redstone Arsenal to join the Senior Executive Service.
Juanita Christensen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Juanita M. Denzmore East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S. |
| Other names | Juanita Harris |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Webster University University of Phoenix |
| Occupation(s) | Government official, engineer |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
Christensen was born to Clottele M. Denzmore.[1] She was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois and excelled in math and science in high school.[2] Christensen decided to pursue a degree in engineering, enrolling at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.[2] She faced racism as a black female in an engineering program,[2] with one professor stating that he did not understand why she was in his class. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1985.[3] She was the first of her seven siblings to complete college.[2]
Christensen earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Resources and Information Systems Management from Webster University in 1994.[3] In February 2011, she completed a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership at the University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies.[3] Her dissertation was titled A Mentorship Study of Women in the Department of Defense Acquisition Sector. Shelia A. Vinson served as Christensen' doctoral mentor.[4]
Career
Christensen began her career as an electronics engineer working at Boeing (in St. Louis, MO) in May 1985. She then changed jobs and moved several times over the next 36 years serving in various roles:
| Years | Company | Role | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1985 - May 1986 | Boeing | Electronics Engineer[3] | St. Louis, MO |
| November 1986 - May 1988 | Mystech Associates & Structured Technology | Software Engineer[3] | New London, CT |
| May 1988 - June 1991 | McDonnell Aircraft Corporation | Sr. Electronics Engineer[3] | St. Louis, MO |
| June 1991 - April 2004?] | General Dynamics Advances Information Services (formerly Veridian) | Sr. Lead Engineer[3] | Huntsville, AL |
| April 2004 - January 2005 | CAS | Principal Systems & Integration Engineer[3] | Huntsville, AL |
| January 2005 - February 2007 | UAVSDI, Inc. | Principal Systems & Integration Engineer | Huntsville, AL |
| February 2007 - September 2008 | US Army Space & Missile Defense Command (SMDC) | Director , Engineering Analysis[3] | Huntsville, AL |
| August 2012 - February 2015 | US Army Aviation & Missile Research, Development & Engineering Center (AMRDEC) | Deputy Director for Aviation Development[3] | Huntsville, AL |
| February 2015 - [September 2017]? | ??? (Senior Executive Service)[5] | ??? | ??? |
| September 2017 - [November 2017?] | US Army Aviation & Missile Research, Development & Engineering Center (AMRDEC) | Acting Executive Deputy to the Commanding General.[3] | ??? |
| November 2017 - January 2021 | US Army Aviation & Missile Research, Development & Engineering Center (AMRDEC) | Director[6][7] | ??? |
| January 2021 | US Army Materiel Command | Deputy Chief of Staff[8][7] |
Christensen completed a corporate leadership development course with Veridan at the Bolger Center in 2003. She completed training in the Defense Acquisition University executive leadership program in 2013.[3]
Awards, recognition & certifications
In December 2011, Christensen was named a STEM Science Spectrum Trailblazer by the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) program.[3] She received a BEYA alumni leadership award in May 2012.[3] Christensen is certified by the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act, Level III, Systems Engineering Acquisition, and the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act, Level I, Program Management.[3]
Christensen was selected for Senior Executive Service (SES) in February 2015.
Personal life
Christensen was married twice. Her first marriage was to Dwight Harris. She has two sons and a daughter.[1] Christensen married a second time to David Christensen.[9]
References
Citations
- Harris 2011, p. iv.
- Tolson 2020.
- U.S. Army 2017.
- Harris 2011, p. v.
- US Black Engineer and Information Technology 2019, p. 66.
- WAFF (TV) 2017.
- Tolson 2021.
- Farrow 2021.
- Bradley 2018.
Bibliography
- Bradley, Joanna (January 23, 2018). "AMRDEC director reaffirms oath of office in installment ceremony". U.S. Army. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - Farrow, William Scott (August 25, 2021). "Huntsville Center shares array of projects for top visitor". The Redstone Rocket. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- Harris, Juanita M. (February 2011). A Mentorship Study of Women in the Department of Defense Acquisition Sector (DM thesis). University of Phoenix. ProQuest 879045746 – via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.
- Tolson, Amy (October 21, 2020). "Leadership profile: Dr. Juanita M. Christensen". U.S. Army. Retrieved 2022-05-28. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Tolson, Amy (January 14, 2021). "Aviation, Missile Center director departs". U.S. Army. Retrieved 2022-05-28. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- "Dr. Juanita Harris Executive Deputy to the Commanding General (Acting)". U.S. Army. September 5, 2017. Retrieved 2022-05-28. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- "Army announces new AMRDEC director". WAFF (TV). November 20, 2017. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- "Top Black Senior Executive Service Members". US Black Engineer and Information Technology. 43 (4): 63–75. 2019. ISSN 1088-3444. JSTOR 26924585.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army.