Mr. Joseph P. Turcotte
Civilian Executive Assistant/Deputy Commander
Watervliet Arsenal
Watervliet, New York
518-266-5109
Mr. Joseph P. Turcotte is the Deputy Commander of Watervliet Arsenal (WVA), a U.S. Army-owned and operated manufacturing center that has been in continuous operation since the War of 1812. Today’s Arsenal is the Army’s sole large caliber cannon and mortar production facility that was recently designated by the Secretary of the Army as a Center of Industrial Technical Excellence for Cannons, Mortars and associated precision machined parts.
With more than 38 years of staff and leadership experience at the Arsenal, Mr. Turcotteis now second in command ofapproximately 500 personnel who either supportthe Arsenal’s Industrial Operations or its Garrison Management functions. Industrial Operations includes: Manufacturing Operations; Production Control/Estimating; Quality; Paint/Preservation and Packaging; and Business Development. Garrison Management includes: Resource Management; Information Management; Public Works; Logistics; Partnership Liaison; Emergency Services (Fire/Security); and Public Affairs.
Mr. Turcotte began his career in 1979 as anaccountant in the Finance and Accounting Division of Resource Management. After working in all areas of accounting, he was reassigned to the Financial Systems Division responsible for automation of many accounting and budget functions. In 1983, he was promoted to Chief of the Financial Systems Division where he expanded the role of the division to all financial and administrative systems. Mr. Turcotte’s expertise led to his being called upon to serve on the first ever DOD-wide review of Defense Business Operating Fund (DBOF) accounting systems.
In 1998, Mr. Turcotte was promoted to Budget Officer in the Resource Management Division, and in 2005, he was promoted to Chief of that division (Chief Financial Officer) with responsibility for all accounting, budget, internal control and manpower management functions.
In 2008, Mr. Turcotte was reassigned to Deputy Director of Installation Management where he maintained oversight of financial and garrison operations and assumed responsibility for the expansion of commercial partnership lease opportunities on the base in an effort to reduce installation operating costs. During his tenure as deputy director, he worked with the contracted site manager to bring a total of 16 companies to the Arsenal and grew partnership lease revenue to $2.4M annually.
In 2011, Mr Turcotte was promoted to Director of Installation Management with responsibility for all Garrison Management functions. In March of 2014, he was selected as Deputy Commander (Civilian Executive Assistant) for the Watervliet Arsenal where he oversaw the execution of $117 million in revenue for fiscal year 2014.
Mr. Turcotte is the recipient of many awards during his career at the Arsenal. Most notably of his awards is the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service and most recently, he was awarded The Ordnance Order ofSamuel Sharpe by Army Brig. Gen. John “Jack” Haley, Chief of Ordnance.
A native of New York’s Capital District, Mr. Turcotte holds a BBAdegree in Accounting from Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y.and is a graduate of the of the AMC Depot and Arsenal Executive Leadership Program (DALEP). He resides in the Town of Colonie with his wife, Michele, and two daughters, Gina and Sara. He also has a son, Benjamin, who resides in Dallas, Ga.