NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Army Col. Trent Conner, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, spoke to New Cumberland Borough leadership and businesses at the New Cumberland Business and Professional Group monthly meeting in the New Cumberland Fire House Annex March 17.
“We are by far the largest distribution center for the Department of Defense, processing 40% of the DOD Distribution mission with over 4 million customer orders last year,” Conner said to the socially distanced group of business owners, borough council, first responders and local nonprofit agencies.
As both the commander of DDSP and the garrison commander for the Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna installation, Conner described the “small town” within the gates of the New Cumberland installation.
“There are about 4,300 employees assigned to the New Cumberland installation who work in 110 buildings located on over 850 acres inside the installation gates,” Conner said.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees are teleworking. However, over 1500 dedicated mission essential employees have continued to report to the installation to work every day. There are 24 tenant units including the DLA Distribution Headquarters, an Army Reserve center, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, service recruiting centers and Defense Contract Management Agency.
Many of the mission essential employees reporting to work are DDSP employees who are not only receiving, packing and shipping standard warfighter supplies, but also handling the shipment of COVID-19 vaccines to all DOD deployed troops in 20 countries and the Navy fleet. DDSP has also provided $3.2 million in obligations partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Health and Human Services and the Veterans Health Administration to supply personal protective equipment and other supplies in the on-going battle against the worldwide pandemic.
Conner described the over 770,000 items DDSP stores for the Defense Department and federal agency partners, worth almost $18 billion. He also provided information on the Eastern Distribution Center’s $140 million modernization project to provide more efficient and effective support to DLA’s customers through automation and ergonomics.
Conner opened the floor to questions from the group, and fielded one question asking, “What keeps you up at night?” Conner quickly responded, “Keeping my workforce safe and healthy and making sure we get the vaccine out.”
Conner also answered a question regarding the installation’s historic Susquehanna Club, commenting that the club is open for business as usual and has many events planned throughout the year. He added that the Riverview Golf Course on base is also open and ready for the 2021 golf season.
In closing comments, Conner thanked the audience for the opportunity to present to them, adding, “I hope to become a valued member of your team.”