Oklahoma City –
Air Force Col. Jason Kalin took command of DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City in August and said he was excited to be a part of the team noting their strong work ethic and dedication.
With the challenges of remote and mandatory telework over the last 18 plus months, getting the workforce together to acknowledge that hard work and service has been challenging, according to Calvin Nesiba, Kalin’s chief of staff.
One of Kalin’s first actions as commander was to establish a monthly Commander’s Recognition Awards Program for each of his divisions.
From September to October, Kalin has personally reached to out to 61 employees with 10-40 years of federal service to recognize their length of service and outstanding performance. He offered to mail them their certificates then talk on the phone, meet in their workplace, meet in a local establishment or his office so he could present the certificates and pins. Most employees opted to come into the office to receive their certificates, many meeting Kalin for the first time since he assumed command.
LaToya Madison, a business process analyst who works in the Order Management Division, was recognized for 15 years of federal service.
“It feels really good when you dedicate so many years of your life [to your work], to get acknowledgement like this,” she said. “I could tell he really read my biography, and paid attention to my accomplishments. It made me happy.”
TAGS: Defense Logistics Agency at Oklahoma City, DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City, people and culture, employee recognition, Tinker Air Force Base