Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, director of strategic plans and deputy chief of staff at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, has assumed the role of commander at the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Pringle will bring her experience in acquisition program management, budget analysis, installation support, science and technology development to her new role, USAF said Tuesday.
The Air Force Academy commissioned Pringle to the service branch in 1991. Prior to her current capacity, she held the position of director for strategic plans, programs, requirements and analyses at the Air Force Materiel Command.
The service branch has also appointed Timothy Bunning, senior executive service member and chief scientist at AFRL's material and manufacturing directorate, to serve as the lab's chief technology officer.
As part of his new role, Bunning will assist Pringle in the planning and execution of the military service's annual $2.8 billion science and technology program.
Bunning started his career at the AFRL in 1990 where he received funding to conduct research efforts through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research's doctoral fellowship. Prior to his previous capability, he served as chief at AFRL's functional materials division.