Employee Spotlight regularly features outstanding non-supervisory personnel from throughout the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and DLA Installation Support at Richmond teams. Organizational directors may submit names of employees they wish to feature in this column to DLA Aviation Public Affairs. For more information, call (804) 279-3139.
Name: Annette Smith
Organization: Material Branch, Budget and Resource Management Division, DLA Finance Aviation.
Years of Service: 18 years
What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically? I am a financial management specialist. I am responsible for financial reports and data analysis. My duties are to collect a variety of financial data and assist in providing reports, analyses, and interpretation of collective data. I also work on preparing financial reports to ensure they are submitted daily, weekly, and monthly to senior management.
What do you like most about your job? I love working with my team. Everyone here is very supportive of one another regardless of the situation.
What is your fondest memory of working for DLA Aviation? My fondest memory was when I was awarded Employee of the Month back in 1986. I think this was an amazing moment for me because I was the one that was chosen out of approximately 500 employees and I was only 25 years old. I felt honored that I was recognized for being an outstanding employee because I am very passionate about my work.
What aspect(s) of your current job give you the most satisfaction? Why? One of the most satisfying parts of my job is when I am able to resolve employee pay questions and issues. I was chosen to be the back-up for our Eagle timekeeper and I have been able to learn so much from him which is satisfying because I am the type of person that loves to help others. If there is a problem, I want to help fix it and that is what gives me the most satisfaction in my job.
What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is being around negative people. I am a firm believer that in the presence of others we feed off of each other’s energy, and negativity can be draining and play an important part in team cohesiveness.
What are some of your passions outside of work? Some of my passions are working with the inner-city youth in Petersburg, Virginia. Children are the future and we have to ensure that they have access to the many opportunities that are out here which they may not know about. Another passion is hanging out and spending time with my three great nieces because they light up my day. But most of all I love working hard in my sorority. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and I make certain that I participate in our many community service projects around the Tri-cities area.
What is your proudest accomplishment? I would have to say that this would be when I received my Master of Business Administration from Averett University in 2013. I never thought that at the age of 50 I would be receiving my master’s, but I did and I am so proud of myself and my accomplishment.
What type of music do you most enjoy? I love many different types music, but my heart is with old school music. I like bands like The Bee Gees, Fleetwood Mac, The Spinners, The Delfonics, Frankie Beverly and Maze, The Gap Band, and so many others. I also enjoy solo artists like Luther Vandross, Angie Stone, Bobby Brown, Aretha Franklin, Minnie Ripperton, Phyllis Hyman, Joss Stone, and I enjoy gospel singers Yolonda Adams, William Murphy, Tasha Cobbs, and Anthony Brown.
Who is the most influential person in your life … past or present? This would only be my mother. She was my earthly angel. She passed away in February 2015 and that was the worst thing that I have ever had to deal with. But she always instilled in us to do our very best at anything we do, have integrity at all times, and to remember that family is all you have and you make sure you are there for each other. She is missed so much, but she is with me every day in everything I do.