RICHMOND, Virginia –
Charita Branch was one of two DLA Distribution employees honored with the 2015 Blacks in Government Military Meritorious Service Award Aug. 25. The award honors military members and Department of Defense civilian employees who have supported the DoD mission and whose attributes best epitomize the qualities and core values of their respective military service or other DoD component.
Branch was recognized for her work as DLA Distribution Richmond, Va.’s accountable officer, as well as her contributions to BIG working with youth in the areas of communication and leadership skills.
According to John Pearson, Distribution Richmond’s director, Branch has led a rich career with DLA, characterized by progressively challenging assignments and job accolades. “Ms. Branch has devoted more than 34 years to DLA, and has consistently used her talents and abilities both at work and outside of work to improve the lives of others around her.”
Branch is responsible for the distribution center’s 84,000 line items of geospatial, information and services products. She also serves as the distribution center’s Inventory Accuracy Team supervisor, responsible for maintenance and administration of DLA Distribution’s Inventory Accuracy Program.
A native of Richmond, Va., Branch started her career with the federal government in 1980 as a secretary for DLA’s Defense General Supply Center’s Storage and Transportation section in Richmond. She was later promoted to data transcriber, and then eventually worked her way up to team lead for the Inventory Section.
Branch is a recognized expert in her field and has been called upon numerous times to provide support to other distribution centers. In 2009, she was recognized with the DLA Superior Civilian Service Award for developing and executing a comprehensive plan that improved and sustained the inventory accuracy at the fifth largest distribution center in DLA’s network during a period when inventory decreased 44 percent due to facility reduction and consolidation efforts. In 2012, she was again recognized for completing a six-month project that returned nearly 3,000 line items with a value of over $1.7 million to the accountable records.
According to Pearson, Branch’s passion for excellence and service extends beyond her federal career. She is very active with BIG, working to provide young people training in communication and leadership skills, as well as practical experience to develop those skills. She has served as the program planning chair for her local chapter for 12 years. Under her leadership, the chapter has had five contestants compete at BIG’s national competition, with a first place winner just last year. She also serves as co-chair for her region’s Student Oratorical Contest which targets students in grades 9 through 12 as part of BIG’s National Training in Communications program.
Blacks in Government, a non-profit organization with civil servant members throughout all levels of government and private industry, was incorporated in 1976 as an employee advocacy and professional development association. BIG is committed to improving public service through promoting equity, excellence, and opportunity in the workplace.