WARNER ROBINS, Georgia –
Wallace Neal, materiel examiner and identifier in Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Warner Robins, Ga.’s Special Commodities branch has been awarded the DLA Distribution Special Services Civilian of the Year Award for his expert handling of the site’s hazardous materiel.
“Mr. Neal is a dedicated professional who strives for perfection in all his endeavors. He is our subject matter expert in the processing and handling of radiological and hazardous material,” said DLA Distribution Warner Robins director Kent Wheeler.
In 2014, Neal personally processed over 500 radiological, or RAD, receipts, picked 1,500 line items and stowed more than 660 pieces of materiel, contributing to the distribution center maintaining and exceeding "green" metric requirements of hi-priority and routine receipt-to-ship metrics.
He assured that hazardous materiel was continually reviewed for expiration dates, contributing to a 99 percent stock effectiveness rate. His efforts resulted in savings of over $1.1 million in acquisition costs by extending the material’s shelf life. He also ensured all bin labels contained the proper shelf life codes to more easily distinguish between non-extendable and extendable materiel.
To minimize potential exposure to untrained distribution center personnel and properly secure RAD assets, Neal re-warehoused approximately $111.2 million of highly-critical and high-usage RAD materiel from general warehouse storage locations to required RAD warehouse storage. He further ensured the correct shipping, handling and demilitarization actions for these items were loaded into the DLA Disposition DEMIL System for proper disposal actions.
Neal coordinated with customers at the 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 402nd Maintenance Wing on the correct method to properly demilitarize and dispose of over 400 Air Force-owned gas cylinders. The metal was turned in as scrap, resulting in a $1.7 million savings from reduced transportation and contracting costs.
As the assistant radiation protection program officer for 230 line items valued at $44 million, Neal led the organization’s efforts on two major reviews: DLA Distribution headquarters’ safety inspection and annual RAD materiel inventory. Neal’s expertise yielded a result of zero findings and zero inventory discrepancies.
“Mr. Neal’s knowledge of his technical specialty, total dedication to duty and willingness to assist anyone in any capacity makes him a valued member of Team Warner Robins,” said Wheeler.