Columbus, Ohio –
Name: Melody Powell
Organization: J6XEA – Information Technology Operations Center
Years of Service: 48
What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically?
I serve as an information technology systems specialist within the Information Technology Operations Center in Columbus, Ohio, and provide global situational awareness to our DLA community. I monitor the status of multiple networks and applications, and prepare scheduled maintenance notices, process informational spot reports, and respond to and resolve application account issues for our more than 32,000 DLA employees and external customers. I also serve as the senior metrics team member and prepare multiple metrics reports for our applications availability and network status.
What is your background, including experience and credentials? How does your background help you to be successful in your current role?
I was hired to work for DLA right out of high school. I have held a wide range of jobs throughout my career, such as clerk typist and warehouseman and learned to not shy away from volunteering for jobs where I may lack the skill set. I am a hands-on learner and can be successful at anything.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction? Why?
I enjoy sharing and passing on my knowledge and experience to everyone on our team, and I also enjoy researching and analyzing data to create our multitude of daily, weekly, and monthly reports and briefings.
What are some of your passions outside of work?
I enjoy my seven cats, as they help me relax and provide unconditional love.
I also love deer and rabbit hunting with my brothers, as well as reading, knitting, crocheting, completing large puzzles, hiking, and being with family and friends.
What advice do you have for DLA employees?
Enjoy what you do and the people that you interact with. Reach out if you have questions and try to learn something new every day. Be kind, as you never know the trouble that someone else is struggling with.
What other self-initiated efforts have you worked on?
When the Defense Electronics Supply Center (DESC) in Kettering, Ohio was scheduled to close due to base realignment and closure, I coordinated with Dayton and Columbus information technology operations personnel in harvesting and transferring the equipment. I inventoried, cleaned, packed and shipped the computer systems to DESC. I also coordinated evening and weekend employee work schedules to prepare the equipment for shipping to Columbus. Once the equipment arrived in Columbus, I coordinated crews to unpack and position the equipment on-site in Columbus.