Celebrating a Legacy: Chuck Luedke Retires After 25 Years 

Chuck’s career at SMS began in 1999 after serving in the Marine Corps at the Pentagon, where he retired with the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Upon joining SMS, he quickly became a leader. With 36 years in IT, including 25 years at SMS as a Technical Director for SMS’ long-running support to the Pentagon, and ultimately as the company’s Chief Technical Officer, Chuck has been a pillar of excellence in the IT industry, particularly in network engineering and security for the Department of Defense. 

Chuck played a pivotal role in Pentagon IT operations and was one of the two original Pentagon Joint Service Provider (JSP) members in the late 1990s. His support during the 9/11 crisis at the Pentagon was unparalleled. Chuck bravely entered the damaged area to recover critical servers and network equipment, playing a crucial role in restoring Pentagon communications immediately following the attack, and throughout the Command Communications Survivability Program (CCSP). 

He nurtured and expanded that contract to over 50 SMS engineers by the end of the 2000s! Chuck’s technical expertise, combined with his unwavering discipline, made him a respected leader who chaired thousands of network design reviews, ensuring compliance and compatibility across the renovated Pentagon IT architecture. 

After leading Pentagon IT as CTO, Chuck transitioned to a leadership role for the Joint Regional Security Stacks (JRSS) program. As the Technical Director and Engineering Working Group Chairman for the JRSS Program, he reviewed and approved system designs to enhance the availability and reliability of critical command and control networks. There, he scaled his expertise from the Pentagon to a global level, influencing the entire DISN infrastructure. 

Chuck’s performance evaluations often reflected his humor and humility, once writing, “I think I had a good year; I didn’t lose any body parts.”  That was Chuck in a nutshell—committed, disciplined, and full of character. Customers respected him for his intelligence and integrity, and those he mentored will carry his legacy forward. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Chuck is a man of many passions. He once orchestrated a surprise re-marriage ceremony for his wife, Marie, aboard a catamaran in the Caribbean, presided over by pirates. His hobbies are as diverse as his career—playing the electric guitar (with a collection of 12 or more), flying drones before they were mainstream, exploring photography, hydroponic gardening, and constantly innovating and automating his home. 

As Chuck embarks on this new chapter of his life, we extend our deepest gratitude for his service and dedication. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. Please join us in celebrating Chuck’s remarkable career and wishing him a happy and fulfilling retirement!