Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO)
Leadership

Under the direction of the Defense Standardization Executive, the DSPO responsibilities are as follows:

  • Manage day-to-day activities and efforts of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP).
  • Develop DoD-wide standardization policies and procedures.
  • Provide tools for successful implementation of standards.
  • Assign Lead Standardization Activities.
  • Serve as executive sponsor for Diminishing Manufacturing and Materiel Shortages (DMSMS) and Government Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP).
  • Serve as DoD representative to federal agencies, non-Government Standards Bodies, international organizations, multinational treaty organizations and the private sector.

 

Defense Standardization Executive

The Defense Standardization Program (DSP) is under the direction and leadership of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (USD(R&E)). The USD(R&E) has the authority to appoint the DoD Standardization Executive who manages the DSP, chair the Defense Standardization Council and serve as standardization executive for DoD components without a designated standardization executive.

DSPO Director

Michael Heaphy, Jr. is the Director of the Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO), which champions standardization processes, products and services to provide the warfighter with equipment that is interoperable, reliable, technologically superior, and affordable. In this capacity, Michael is responsible for the policies and procedures governing the development and use of Military Specifications and Standards, and use of non-government standards. He also oversees the Government Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) and DoD activities to mitigate the impact of diminishing manufacturing sources.

Mr. Heaphy holds a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, and a Masters in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.

Deputy Director    

Latasha R. Beckman is deputy director of the Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO). Ms. Beckman has more than 20 years of engineering experience, of which 14 years has been devoted to managing DSPO's international standardization program. She has demonstrated an ability to advise DoD personnel and support contractors on defense standardization procedures engage with allies and partners on standardization policy matters and training, and participate in multilateral meetings with foreign governments concerning items of mutual interest. Additionally, Ms. Beckman has been responsible for maintaining and advancing DSP tools and leveraging emerging technologies to incorporate in the acquisition life cycle. 

Ms. Beckman holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo, and a M.S. in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Manufacturing Systems from North Carolina A&T State University.