Little Rock native Roch Byrne has been named the Pine Bluff
Arsenal’s Deputy to the Commander. Prior to this position, he served as the
Director of Ammunition Operations. In this position, he will serve as Chief
Executive and Chief Engineer for all Arsenal operations involving
approximately 700 employees and a $100 million annual budget. Byrne assumes
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
the deputy duties from Larry Wright, who retired with 37 years of government
service.
“Larry has done a great job preparing me. He has been my mentor for quite a
long time. I have a great team here at the Arsenal,” said Byrne, who became
the Deputy to the Commander Designee in 2016. “This is an awesome job, and
awesome responsibility. There are a lot of folks you have to take care of.”
Prior to obtaining his position as Ammunition Operations Director in 2005,
Byrne served as the Production Engineering Division Chief for the
directorate. His responsibilities included the overall technical and
administrative management of chemical manufacturing pIants, assembly plants,
and other industrial facilities engaged in the manufacture of chemical
munitions. He provided leadership to a team of engineers, engineering
technicians, and administrative personnel.
Byrne began his civilian government career in 1986 as an electronics
engineer at Robin Air Force Base in Georgia. In this position, he developed
and produced computer software test packages for the B1-B Bomber. In 1987,
he came to the Arsenal as an electronics engineer, serving as a staff
engineer for the Directorate of Ammunition Operations, managing major
engineering projects. He developed the plans, concepts, and designs for new
and existing manufacturing processes. He also developed methods for
continuous improvements on existing production facilities.
He is a graduate of both the Depot and Arsenal Executive Leadership Programs
in 2005. He also attended Webster University in Little Rock, Ark. where he
earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Management in 1993. He
attended Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn. where he earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1986. Byrne
graduated from Catholic High School in Little Rock, Ark. in 1982. He is the
son of Richard and Empie Byrne, who live in Little Rock.
Byrne and his wife, Diana, live in Little Rock, and have three daughters.