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News | June 14, 2021

Former DLA Disposition Services leader honored with Hall of Fame induction

By Dianne Ryder DLA Public Affairs

Editor’s note: This is the third of nine stories featuring 2020 DLA Hall of Fame inductees. A video highlighting inductees’ contributions to the agency will be broadcast on DLA’s Facebook page June 23. 

Paul Mank began his government career as a property disposal intern in 1981 and went on to serve as Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services’ acting deputy director from November 2013 to April 2014. His 34 years of contributions to the agency have earned him posthumous induction into the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame.

Mank served in multiple managerial positions at various defense reutilization marketing offices, including the former regional headquarters office in Columbus, Ohio. 

As the director of operations, Mank oversaw a worldwide network of over 100 DRMS field offices and integrated stateside DRMO operations by creating three new hubs in Norfolk, Virginia; San Antonio, Texas; and Warner Robins, Georgia. 

DLA Disposition Services Customer Management Chief Sherry Low worked with Mank throughout her career but said in his nomination packet she got to know him best during the Most Efficient Organization initiative.

“The MEO team trusted and respected his opinions and guidance,” she wrote, adding that Mank was a great mentor whose strategic focus set a great example for herself and other team members. 

“Paul was one of the most open, honest and respected persons I’ve ever met,” Low continued. “I could always count on his sense of wit and humor to lighten the burden.”

According to the nomination, Mank assisted senior leaders through his environmental and information management expertise, as well as his knowledge of federal surplus property management and sales. He consistently earned praise for his innovative and analytical approach to solving disposal issues and for his ability to work across the enterprise and with external civilian agencies, Low wrote. 

Mank died in February 2016.


Editor's note: View Mank's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video from June 23: