Richmond, Virginia –
Employee spotlight regularly features outstanding non-supervisory personnel from throughout the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and other DLA employees on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Organizational directors may submit names of employees they wish to feature in this column to DLA Aviation Public Affairs. For more information, call (804) 279-3130.
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Name: Troy Judkins
Organization: Customer Operations Directorate’s Priority Support Cell, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Ogden, Utah.
Years of Service: 12
What do you like most about your job? The thing I like most about my job, as a customer support specialist, is being part of an elite team of professionals at DLA Aviation at Ogden. We are dedicated to supporting the warfighter, through the mitigation of unfilled orders and potential work stoppages. We accomplish this through vetting Local Purchase offerings and Organic Manufacture Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request processing. My group reviews and submits potential material purchase resolutions for technical review and submission of approved packages to the Emergency Contracting Support Branch in Richmond, Virginia.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction? Why? I am most satisfied with my job when I can apply my previous experience to recall a historical precedent to help resolve an issue for a customer. It is amazing how much you can retain when attempting to resolve parts problems. You hope that all of the issues get resolved and you don’t have to revisit the same problems, but often there are similar situations that can be resolved with a bit of “time in the saddle.” I also like to receive feedback on metrics, and being able to supply status to my customers at any given time.
If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? Thank you for all of the sacrifices you and your families make each and every day! We are proud of the men and women that give so much to defend our way of life! Stay safe and do it right each and every day!
What are some of your passions outside of work? My greatest passion outside of work is spending time with my best friend and wife, Denise. We share a lot of the same interests in our free time. We like to shop for antiques and vintage furniture that we refinish and display in our home. We enjoy home improvement projects, raising chickens, going on trips, and making things from scratch with our hands from wood and metals. I have an extensive tool collection and I am getting tooled-up to pursue my latest fascination, blacksmithing.
What was your first job? Sweeping the floors for a shop that manufactured horse trailers. This “sparked” my interest in welding. I got to fill in when they were short-staffed and needed some welding done.
What’s your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve would be a task that was not completed to the best of a person’s ability. I strive for perfection in everything I do, and I think that any job worth doing is worth doing correctly the first time.
Who is the most influential person in your life...past or present?
I was lucky enough to have three very influential people in my life: My dad, grand-dad, and my welding instructor in high school, Mr. Jeff Strahan. These three men helped to shape my personality in many positive ways. They instilled a good work ethic, and the ability to be tenacious to achieve what I want, and also to appreciate life along the way. They gave me the confidence to take on new challenges and break big jobs down into smaller jobs to achieve great things.
If you could pick a personal motto, what would it be? Measure twice, cut once.
What type of music do you most enjoy? Classic Christmas music. It takes me back to my youth, and I have been accused of listening to it year-round. My team very much appreciates my headphones.
What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment is my three sons. Their mother and I have shaped them into outstanding young men with great work ethics, respect for others, and good old-fashioned manners. They make me proud every day and give me hope for a very bright future.