The newly selected leader of the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program visited one of the three sites for which she provides oversight the week of July 17.

“I was impressed by the plant,” said Suzanne Milchling, program executive officer, ACWA, after touring the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “It’s great to see it operating.”

Milchling began her job as the PEO on June 25. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the ACWA program, including operations at PCAPP, the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, located near Richmond, Kentucky, and ACWA’s Anniston Field Office in Alabama.

During her four-day visit, Milchling received an in-depth overview of the plant by project leadership, toured the plant and the training facility, and met with local stakeholders representing the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.

Much of the PEO’s 35 years of federal government experience has centered on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive defense. Milchling also facilitated emergency response and formed a mail screening facility in 2001, which she says assists her in understanding the technical aspects of the Pueblo plant.

“Because I established a mail screening capability for compounds such as anthrax, I’m having an easier time integrating all of the pieces of the chemical demilitarization program,” Milchling said. “I understand the criticality of having a pilot phase to test procedures, operations, communications, and how these come together.”

Milchling succeeds Conrad Whyne, who retired in April.