RICHMOND, Va. — Lt. Col. Jeffery R. Cree was promoted to colonel and assumed authority as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Virginia during a ceremony Nov. 1, 2019, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.
Cree succeeds Col. Marie M. Mahoney, who has served as the USPFO since 2013.
“Please join me in congratulating this proven leader as he begins transitioning to this key position of increased responsibility,” Williams wrote in the initial announcement. “Col. Cree’s record of unwavering leadership, ethics, and sound judgement assure his readiness to serve in this critical role. Having spent the past five years as Deputy USPFO, Jeff has proven exceptionally prepared to meet this challenge, and I have no doubt he will meet continued success.”
After the promotion and transfer of authority, Cree spoke about those who have helped him on the journey to his new role.
“I recognize that the honor of getting to continue my service at the rank of colonel is not my achievement, but rather that of a whole host of people who have touched my life, stood me up and showed me what ‘right’ looks like,” said Cree. “I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on this journey and it’s become abundantly clear to me that the timing of this promotion should not come as a surprise. Not due to my achievements or performance, but rather due to all the people who support me and with whom I’ve had the great pleasure to serve.”
Williams also spoke during the ceremony, and thanked Mahoney for her years of service as the USPFO, detailing the great responsibility the title comes with.
“What she brought to the table for the last six years has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Williams said. “In the last five years alone, we have seen the largest expansion of resources to the state of Virginia, in terms of military construction funds and renovation money. All of that is being controlled by the USPFO. That is an extraordinary time and period of service.”
Mahoney addressed the gathering, reflecting on her service and expressing her confidence in Cree as he assumes the USPFO role.
“A few years ago when my kids were little, we went to Monticello,” said Mahoney. “The tour guide said something that stuck with me over the years. She said that Thomas Jefferson always used to say our role in life should be to make the next generation’s life easier. I hope that as I finish up this part of my career, in the time I have spent in the National Guard and in the USPFO, we have made the following generation’s life easier.
“When I look toward the future of the USPFO, I see nothing but good things ahead. I think that’s because I feel so comfortable turning my USPFO family over to Jeff, and he will do great and wonderful things. He will not only take care of the USPFO and all the people that work in the USPFO, but all of the Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard.”
The United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Virginia performs duties as an agent of the Chief of National Guard Bureau to receive and account for all federal funds and property in the possession of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard. The USPFO ensures that more than $244 million in federal funds are obligated and expended in conformance with applicable statutes and regulations and acts as the Installation director of logistics, resource management and contracting officer for the Virginia National Guard managing logistics, support and financial management.
The USPFO maintains a dual responsibility to CNGB and the Adjutant General of Virginia and is responsible to ensure that all applicable laws, regulations and policies established by Congress, Department of Defense, and Departments of the Army and Air Force are complied with in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Cree was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2000 after graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at McDaniel College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After serving on active duty, Cree joined the Virginia National Guard in 2006. He holds a Master’s degree in Homeland Security from American Military University and was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University in 2017. Cree commanded at the company and battalion level, and he also served as the deputy J3, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team S4 logistics officer and S1 personnel officer and 429th Brigade Support Battalion commander, executive officer and battalion officer-in-charge. He has supported operations in Germany and Bosnia and deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005.
Mahoney received an ROTC commission upon graduation from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1986. She entered active duty immediately upon commissioning and joined the Virginia National Guard in 1991. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from William and Mary and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Mahoney commanded at the company and brigade level, and she also served as a deputy human resources officer, J1 personnel officer, J4 logistics officer and J8 resource management officer. She is a 2008 graduate of the Advance Joint Professional Education Course at the Joint Forces Staff College and a 2012 graduate of the United States Army War College. She served in Korea while on active duty and deployed to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012.