BATTLE CREEK, Mich –
Document Services Leadership/Management and Information Technology
New Cumberland, PA
Editorial Note: The DLA Director signed an action memo April 1, 2023, to realign DLA Document Services for Operational Control (OPCON) from Information Operations to DLA Disposition Services, a Major Subordinate Command, with a General Order to follow. This action aligns similar DLA missions directly supporting the warfighter. The Document Services mission will remain the same.
Can you tell us about yourself?
I am married and live in Pennsylvania. I have 3 children, 4 grandkids and a Grand-Dog (lab/retriever mix - Nugget) who lives with us; our dog is our best-friend, and she became our sanity during the pandemic. I’ve had several dogs since I was a young boy, so dog hair is just a fact of life and part of my culture; those that own a dog know what I am saying. We are empty nesters but have an affinity for saving and/or rescuing animals. In fact, we rescued a Chow-Chow from hurricane Katrina and another Chow from a kill shelter in North Carolina; unfortunately, both passed away from cancer. Chows are the most loyal and protective breed I’ve had. Faith guides my life; family is my bedrock; my co-workers are my team and DoD is my life-long mission.
Prior to joining the military, I grew up in the west, northwest and lived in Alaska. Out of high school, I joined the Navy and qualified for Submarine duty in advanced electronics. I was deployed on multiple Submarines (including 3 of the “41 for Freedom” boats), then I became a federal law enforcement specialist. While in the military I was stationed at multiple duty stations on both coasts, traveled to all 50 states and traveled to a few places overseas. I like being outdoors so my favorite place to live was Alaska, and the northwest (Washington/Oregon). The mountains and scenery are just amazing…so if you ask me beach or mountains? I’ll always say mountains, but I’ve been known to go to a beach with the family.
Describe your job in a sentence or two.
As the DLA Document Services Director, I am responsible for providing document services to the warfighter worldwide. My job is to ensure the DoD is successful in their mission.
How long have you worked for the federal government including military service?
I have over 36 years working for the military/DoD in various capacities. I have about 27 years federal service including active-duty military (US Navy) time. After the Navy, I worked for the US Air Force, 193RD Special Operations Wing before coming to DLA.
How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services/Document Services?
I have been with Document Services for about 7 years, I started as the Director of Business Strategy and Planning. Prior to that I worked in DLA Information Operations in different roles and positions.
What is your favorite thing about your line of work?
The scope and breadth of what we provide to DoD. Document Services can provide everything from copiers to business cards, banners, signs to vehicle and building wraps, if you can imagine it we can do it.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
It’s hard to pick just one. I’ve had several mentors over the years.
- Dad – Be responsible, be honest, own your actions and honor your commitments to others.
- LTG Williams – People are our most valuable asset.
- S. Gaffney – Being honest, Work together, Be Nice and respect others’ views.
- J. Cassel – Keep your cool and maintain the calm always, leaders set the example.
- Navy Capt. – Knowledge is power, read a book!
Awards/Recognition:
Between military and civilian service, I received multiple Navy Achievement Medals, several special act, performance, and service awards over the years.
Can you summarize what your division responsibilities?
As the director, taking care of our people and supporting the mission for the warfighter.
What would you like to accomplish as Document Services Director?
Provide the best service to the DoD in a timely manner and have the mil-services come to DLA because they want too, not because they must.
What is your message to the DLA Disposition Services and Document Services workforce?
We may provide different services, but we serve the same warfighters (our customers) and in many of the same locations; in the end it’s about the mission and how well do our jobs to make them successful. We need to remember DLA only exists because of the warfighters we serve.
Anything you’d like to add?
Our time on earth is short. Be kind to each other, bring joy not angst to those you meet.
What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
There are many but I think integrity and trust are probably the most important. We need to trust our leaders and know that they will do the right thing for the people and mission.
What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into your line of work?
Providing good customer service is a part of everyone’s job. Be responsive, support your people when they need it. Don’t micro-manage and delegate where it makes sense. We have folks who can effectively manage different parts of our mission but often are bogged down with policy, processes and approvals; by allowing our people to operate within established guidance unincumbered, allows them to achieve mission success. In fact, it is not uncommon for the front-line Document Services folks to be working directly with General Officers and SESs for their document service needs. And finally, work is an activity not a location (mostly) because we serve customers worldwide - location varies. Hold staff accountable for getting the mission, job and tasks done on time without hovering over them.
How would you describe your leadership style and why has it worked so well for you?
Delegate to lowest level possible and leverage teamwork to get things done, pitch in where needed. Doing so helps get the mission done quickly and effectively which helps our customers achieve their mission.
Can you share a story when you realized your efforts were making a difference?
I am a big Continuous Process Improvement and Business Process Reengineering advocate to keep improving what we do. As a member of the DLA onboarding team, using CPI and Process Reengineering, we documented the end-to-end process and discussed ways to improve. In the end, we reduced the amount of time to onboard new employees just by adjusting how we did things and how work was aligned. Thinking outside the box helps make big changes.
Tell us how you approach change.
Through planning, communication, teamwork, and team input. Execute a plan in phases or parts; don’t try to do too much at once to avoid failure; measure effectiveness along the way, adapt and adjust to improve.
What keeps you motivated?
Supporting the warfighter. As a former warfighter, I understand the importance of “who we serve” without the warfighter we would not exist and without us they would not succeed in their mission.
What do you look for when evaluating top talent?
Commitment, teamwork, and a fantastic customer service attitude. Functions can be learned, having a good attitude and teamwork mindset are key to being successful.
What do you believe is your biggest accomplishment and why?
Professionally, it was becoming the Director of Document Services. It demonstrations that no matter your roots start, with hard work and stepping out of your comfort zone you can do whatever you set your mind to.
What are your best practices for achieving goals or accomplishing tasks?
Our mission needs to be a team effort, no one person can do it alone, just like a submarine crew we need to learn each other’s jobs and backup each other to achieve the mission. Sometimes you need to do things that are not in your lane to support the customer and mission. Go the extra mile.
What do you see as your biggest challenge right now?
Completing our alignment to Disposition Services and recovering from prior year pandemic financial losses.
Why is networking to build professional relationships so important in achieving success?
The mission is a team effort, no one person can do it alone, we need to rely on others to support us to ensure success for DoD. Having professional relationships helps accomplish our mission for our customers because sometimes you need contacts to help get things done across the agency.
What mistakes have you seen individuals make that prevent them from being successful?
Having a negative attitude/nay-sayer, not being a team player, failing to adapt and adjust, not being responsive to the warfighter, not listening or talking over others during discussion.
What would you have done differently in your career if given the opportunity?
I would have started as a civilian with federal government post-military sooner so I could retire earlier; this way I could have started more fun things post-retirement, like travel overseas, cross country, etc.…
Name your favorite/recent book(s) you have read.
Steven Covey: 7 habits of highly effect people
Steven Gaffney Books: Just Be Honest, Honest Sells, Be a Champion of Change, Honesty Works!
Tell us something that most people might not know about you or your directorate?
I’m a regular down to earth person, I don’t care for suits, ties, or traffic. I’ve worked my way up from a paperboy to the director of a major DoD Program with 400+ staff worldwide and a $300M budget.
Learning has been a lifelong passion, and at one point in my career, I attained over fifty IT/Security certifications and/or degrees. I am currently a certified CISSP (Cyber Information Security Professional), Certified Project Manager and hold degrees in Cyber Security and Network Management.
I enjoy tinkering with new and vintage technology and in my spare time I build/repair computers for charity and teach computer security and technology to the community.
What was your first job?
Paperboy and lawn mower (so in terms of DLA – I oversaw all logistics, customer service, was the chief finance officer, business manager, CEO and entrepreneur) 😊
What is your best memory of working with DLA?
I’ve had several over the years, but one that I recall best was working with the Navy Warehouse Transfer team early in my career. DLA was taking over all material distribution and warehouses from the Navy at many locations across the country. For roughly 12+ months, I traveled with the NWT team to Navy bases as part of the “boots on the ground” team. I was able to provide valuable input to stand up the new mission. The project was long, required lots of hard work and extra hours. Being a part of something new and working as a joint team from the ground up was the best part. It reminded me of my days on Submarines working as a team toward a common goal and mission.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I was not sure what I wanted to do during high school but always thought the military was cool. My great uncle was in the Navy, my stepdad was a former Marine and I had aunts/uncles who were in Air Force and Army. I gravitated towards electronics and technology which probably is why I ended up in IT for a good part of my career.
Who is your hero?
Probably my stepdad who passed away at a young age, 61, from cancer. He was strict for the small amount time we had together, but he entered our lives when I was a teen and he taught us kids to be responsible, be good to your word and meet your commitments. I have carried this mindset throughout my life. His life continually reminds me we never know how long we will have on the earth so we need to make the best use of our time and enjoy good things while we can and don’t get tied up in drama. Don’t hesitate to celebrate family when and while you can.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
I’d like to take longer than a day, unless they invented a tele-port machine, to take a cruise with my wife to Alaska, RV across North America, take a train across the U.S. to see the country, travel across Europe, visit Japan, Korea and the pacific rim.
What are your hobbies? Church, family, grand-kids, dogs and doing computer work for people, charities and church.
What is your favorite quote?
Simon Sinek – “Leadership is not about being in charge, leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.”
My Favorite Funny Quote – Dilbert “There is no kill switch on awesome.”