After more than 25 years serving in the United States Air Force, Colonel Kyle Reybitz is ready for the next chapter in his life.
For the last four years of his career, Colonel Reybitz has served as the Senior Materiel Leader/Deputy Program Executive Officer for the Business and Enterprise Systems (BES) Directorate, located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter-Annex, in Montgomery, Alabama. Here, Colonel Reybitz served under the leadership of Mr. Richard Aldridge, Program Executive Officer, and assisted in managing a portfolio valued at nearly $925M annually.
Prior to joining the BES Directorate, Colonel Reybitz held many notable positions including: Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) Test Manager at Elgin Air Force Base and Materiel Leader, Air Operations Center Branch Chief at Hanscom Air Force Base. For his time in the Air Force, Colonel Reybitz has received numerous promotions, awards, and decorations.
With such a distinguished career as a backdrop, Colonel Reybitz’s family, friends, and colleagues gathered for him to say goodbye to the Air Force.
But due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, his retirement ceremony was very small and intimate and held mostly virtually. Dr. Joseph Besselman, Business and Enterprise Systems Chief Disruption Officer, hosted the ceremony from the Maxwell Air Force Base Golf Club.
Dr. Besselman told the virtual audience that the ceremony was more of a ‘fire-side chat’ and he jokingly said he would act as an interpreter for all of the non-military audience members.
“There will be some roasting. These things are usually part roasting and part serious talk about what that person accomplished,” Dr. Besselman said.
Among those wishing Colonel Reybitz a happy retirement were his parents.
“We are as proud as could be and love you very much,” said Colonel Reybitz’s father.
For his part, Colonel Reybitz took the audience through a PowerPoint picture journey of his life in the Air Force.
“I got to work with many missions,” Colonel Reybitz said of his career. “I really loved it.”
Colonel Reybitz said it took many people throughout his career to help him achieve success and prepare him for this moment.
“It’s not about me, it’s really about the journey and family and friends.”
Colonel Reybitz also took time to thank the Business and Enterprise Systems Directorate, with a special thank you to the Program Execution Group, led by Ms. Marcie Rhodes and Ms. Annette Doiron.
“So glad my last four years have been with the ‘BESt’ team.”
Colonel Reybitz has plans to remain in the Montgomery area through at least 2023 with his future plans to be announced.