NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
DLA Distribution Commanding Officer Navy Supply Corps Rear Adm. Kevin M. Jones hosted a DLA Distribution team rally July 23. The team rally began with Jones recognizing new Distribution teammates followed by an awards ceremony for teammates who put forth extraordinary efforts.
DLA Distribution’s Public Affairs Officer, Dawn Bonsell, received a Secretary of Defense Certificate of Appreciation; the Trans Arabian Network Team, including Jada Weaver, Eric Burns, Dan Lentz, Brian Rose and Tom Semones received the DLA Acquisition Excellence Award; the DLA Large Team of The Year award was presented to Erin M. Sawyer, David S. Gizenski, Eugene L. Summers, Donna Kautz, James D. Kruger, Daniel Lentz, Lisa L. Armstrong, Renee R. Albright, Karen A. Dus and and Erik J. Smith; the Director’s Strategic Goals Award was presented to Eric W. Prowell, Mandy M. Brechbill, Tina L. Benecke, Michael P. Casey, Joseph A. Miller, Pedro J. Marcano, Nicholas R. Orth and Gregory M. Pigg; the Director’s Strategic Goals Award was also presented to Ed Fisher, Elise M. Holtan and Steven P. Michael; the Humanitarian Effort Award was presented to Daniel Lentz and Bryant Jackson; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal was presented to Army Capt. Tyler C. Hultgren; the DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Award was presented to Denise Parker-Kanelos; the DLA Superior Civilian Service Award was presented to Melissa Meador; the GDE DLA Distribution Supervisory Acquisition Civilian of the Year was presented to Joshua Lippert and Julie Leasure; the DLA Distribution GDE Edward Sweger Systems Innovation/Automation Award was presented to Ramona French; the DLA Distribution GDE Donald P. Brown Award for Operational Cost Effectiveness was presented to Deneen Diggs; Length of Service Awards were presented to Bonnie Holtry, Scott T. Forster, Tommy A. Shird and Dawn Bonsell and Navy Lt. Crette Hendricks, II was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for service at his pervious duty station, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit.
Following the awards, Jones transitioned the town hall and began to discuss the current landscape as he sees it since his year of exploration going around the Distribution network. “At the end of the day, everything is about modernization, audit readiness and cost reduction,” said Jones. Jones went on to say that he needs to move DLA Distribution into the 21st century, with a focus on:
• How we see ourselves;
• Leadership training;
• Skills for new hires;
• Enforcing adherence;
• Intensively managing accuracy;
• Implementing modernization efforts;
• Transforming production;
• Simplifying processes;
• Increasing productivity;
• Reducing costs and
• Realizing reform savings.
Noting that the agency is sitting at a strategic inflection point, Jones expressed to his team, “We’re getting out of the fox hole and moving to the target.”
Jones also reminded his team that everyone is a safety officer—“Many of you travel to our 24 commands around the globe and I want to remind you that you’re my eyes and ears out there…If you see something, say something.” He also reviewed hot weather safety tips and the command staff provided a safety handout for teammates.
One question was presented to Jones before the event, asking about the LEED certification of the building due to several recent malfunctions. Jones responded that, as he noted previously, team members should remember that if they see something to say something. The building was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver standards and many of the electronic devices are on motion sensors. If these are not functioning, they should be reported to the Building Manager, Stacy Umstead.
Jones wrapped up his second team rally of the year by saying, “You guys do a great job. I want to thank everyone for that!”