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DLA Aviation Hall of Fame

Throughout its dynamic and challenging history, DLA Aviation employees have made significant contributions to our Nation's defense. The Hall of Fame recognizes former employees who have made significant, enduring contributions.

· Nominate an employee for the DLA Aviation Hall of Fame



Michael KennedyKen WinsletteSteve Wrenn

2023 Honoree

photo of Michael Kennedy

Michael Kennedy

Michael J. Kennedy retired in December 2018 as the Deputy Commander of Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Cherry Point, North Carolina. 

A New Jersey native, Mr. Kennedy began his federal service career in 2002 as a Material Management Supervisor for the Naval Air Depot Cherry Point, where he led a 200-person team responsible for supply, storage, and distribution functions. In 2003, as the Deputy Supply Officer, he led the realignment of the material department from the NAD Cherry Point (Naval Air Systems Command) to the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Jacksonville (Naval Supply Systems Command).

As the DLA Aviation Cherry Point Deputy Commander from 2008 to 2018, Mr. Kennedy was the principal DLA civilian advisor to Fleet Readiness Center East. His achievements include improving communication from FRC East’s “front office” to the production shop floor and facilitating the transition of the Navy’s $200 million inventory to DLA to meet their requirements of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) efforts in 2005.

Prior to entering federal service, Mr. Kennedy was a Senior Logistics Analyst with Sierra Management from 2000 to 2002.

A veteran of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Mr. Kennedy served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a Colonel. During his service, he was Commander, Defense Distribution Depot, Memphis, Tennessee; Commander of Troops, SS Curtiss; and Commanding Officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16. In his last active-duty assignment he was the Assistant Chief of Staff, Aviation Logistics, Second Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point.

Mr. Kennedy received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts from the University of North Texas and a master’s in business administration from Pepperdine University. He is a graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and Naval War College (Command and Staff). Additionally, he is a Department of the Navy Certified Acquisition Program Manager and is a Department of Defense Certified Acquisition Professional in Life Cycle Logistics (Level III).

He is a recipient of the DLA Exceptional Civilian Service Award and the DLA Distinguished Career Service Award upon his retirement.

2023 Honoree

photo of Ken WinsletteKen Winslette

Kenneth T. Winslette first retired in February 2010 as DLA Aviation’s Director of Procurement Operations at Warner Robins, Georgia. He returned to his previously held position in March 2010 as a rehired annuitant. From May 2010 to July 2011, he served as Deputy Director, Strategic Acquisition Directorate, DLA Aviation, and from August 2011 to July 2013 as the Director, Strategic Acquisition Directorate, DLA Aviation, while continuing to serve as the Director of Procurement Operations at Warner Robins. Mr. Winslette left this post in July 2013 and returned as a rehired annuitant again in September 2018 to support DLA Procurement Operations, DLA Aviation in Huntsville, Alabama, until December 2020.

An Eatonton, Georgia native, Mr. Winslette began his federal service career in 1980 as a civil servant at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center as an Electronics Technician. He served as a Contracting Specialist through the Air Force Professional Development Program, and later as a Contracting Officer, Supervisory Contract Specialist, Supervisory Logistics Officer and Deputy Director of the 742 Supply Chain Management Group at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center.

Throughout his 35-year career, he has held Director positions in Strategic Acquisition and Procurement Operations at DLA Aviation, as well as Director positions in Contracting, Acquisition, and Business Operations for the Air Force. He advised DLA Aviation’s commander, deputy commander and acquisition executive on acquisition-related matters relating to acquisition policy and processes, integration of Depot Level Reparable Procurement responsibilities, and on innovative acquisition strategies to support consumable and reparable item requirements. 

Mr. Winslette was a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and held a Defense Acquisition Professional Development Level III certification in Contracting and Acquisition. He holds professional certifications from the Institute of Management and the International Society of Logistics Engineers.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Logistics Engineering from Georgia College and State University.

Mr. Winslette’s service is marked by a constant focus on supporting the warfighter, developing innovative solutions and workforce skills. He is a Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Distinguished Civilian Service Award recipient.

In retirement, Mr. Winslette enjoys time spent with family and friends, woodworking, and fishing.

2023 Honoree

photo of Steve WrennRobert Stephen "Steve" Wrenn

Robert Stephen “Steve” Wrenn began his DLA career at Defense General Supply Center as a Contract Specialist in March 1982, retiring in January 2014 from DLA Aviation.

During his 31 years of service, he excelled at pre- and post-award procurement, Procurement Policy, Product Marketing, and Customer and Weapon Systems Support directing Weapon System Support Managers (WSSMs) and Weapon System Points of Contacts (WSPOCs).

He has served as Deputy Division Chief for the DLA Land and Maritime Detachment at Richmond; Deputy Division Chief for multiple DLA Aviation Product Centers; Deputy Division Chief of Weapon Systems Support; and Division chief of Product Marketing.

The highlight of Mr. Wrenn’s career was becoming the first Division Chief and creator of the Contract Administration Division, first in the Land/Maritime Detachment in 2007 and then for DLA Aviation in 2009.

In July 2009, Mr. Wrenn used his skills in procurement policy and customer support to lead the creation of the DLA Aviation Supplier Operations Post Award Division, which centralized contract administration in Supplier Operations in order to support contract administrators, customers and suppliers.

Mr. Wrenn provided the leadership needed in establishing the DLA Aviation division, building many processes from the ground up. Without his vision, the improvements that are still being developed and realized would not have happened.

During his career, Mr. Wrenn was a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and was Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III-certified. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech and a Master of Administration degree from Central Michigan University.

Mr. Wrenn’s service is marked by excellence in leadership, an unwavering work ethic and a fierce dedication to support the Agency as well as individual employees in their professional and personal lives.

Because of his achievements and outstanding commitment to maintaining the highest standards as a DLA Aviation employee and leader, Mr. Wrenn was honored with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the DLA Distinguished Career Service Award at his retirement.

In his retirement, Mr. Wrenn enjoys his family, golf and hiking, as well as his part-time employment back at DLA Aviation, working with the division he started.



Denise Canada Alma Charles
2022 Honoree

photo of Denise CanadaDenise B. Canada

Denise B. Canada retired December 2015 as Technical Quality Senior Advisor for DLA Aviation, a field activity of Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Prior to this position she was the Technical Quality Division Chief in the Business Process Support Directorate. 

A Petersburg, Virginia native, Ms. Canada began her federal service career in 1981 as a GS-2 Clerk Typist in the typing pool.

Throughout her 34-year career, Ms. Canada has held multiple positions. As Senior Technical Quality Advisor for DLA Aviation, she developed and implemented changes within the Enterprise on technical issues, from System Change Request to implementing and overseeing policies for the Technical Community.

Under Ms. Canada’s leadership as Deputy Product Operations Manager, Product Center 7 was the model for implementation of Strategic Supplier Alliances with Eaton Aerospace, Parker Hannifin and Moog Inc. This was a great challenge with many wins, including building supplier and customer relations. Product Center 7 finished several year-ends as the No. 1 Product Center.

Ms. Canada was recognized by Command for one of the best Climate Culture Surveys from her employers. She was also the first African American to hold the GS 14 Technical Quality Division Chief position at DLA Aviation.

Ms. Canada was a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and was Defense Acquisition workforce Improvement Act Level III certified. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Virginia Statue University.

Ms. Canada’s service was marked by excellence in leadership, an unwavering work ethic and a dedication to teamwork. Her team in Business Process Support played a major role in Time to Award by reducing massive technical blocks caused by a major system change in the Enterprise Business System.

Ms. Canada was honored with the DLA Distinguished Career Service Award upon retirement and inducted into DLA Hall of Fame after retirement in 2021.

In retirement she published her first book, “Mother May I.”  She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family as well as coaching, teaching and mentoring men and women in Mary Kay as an Independent Sales Director.

 

 

 

2021 Honoree

photo of Alma CharlesAlma Charles

Alma C. Charles retired in December 2011 as Division Chief of the Aviation Commodities Division for DLA Aviation's Supplier Operations Directorate.

A Richmond, Virginia, native, Ms. Charles began her federal career in 1972 as an Inventory Management Specialist. She has also served as Instructor, Branch Chief, Division Chief, Product Technician, and Interim-Deputy Director of Supplier Operations.

Throughout her 40-year career, Ms. Charles provided remarkable service and commitment to the Warfighter and the Defense Industrial Base. Her career path touched many and enriched all. She was an essential part of sustaining approximately 1.5 million national item identification numbers (NIINs) and supporting approximately 1,800 weapons systems. She exhibited exceptional leadership in developing policy and executing supply and procurement actions. She implemented new business systems and processes to gain significant efficiencies for DLA and its military service customers.

Ms. Charles prototyped both the Automated Inventory Management System (AIMS) and the first online requisition processing system, which transformed how customers submitted requirements. These two systems were the foundational pillars for the evolution of DLA business operations and the systemic processes in use today.

Ms. Charles has also served as Deputy Director of Aviation Supplier Operations where, under her leadership, she was responsible for over 800 acquisition workforce professionals who executed an average of over 30,000 monthly contracting actions.

Ms. Charles is the recipient of a Meritorious Civilian Service Award, four Quality Step Increases, 15 Performance Awards, and 39 Special Act and Service Awards. Upon retirement, she was honored with the DLA Distinguished Career Service Award.

Her exemplary leadership skills, supply expertise, foresight, operational experience and dedication to the mission have played a pivotal role in improving weapon systems readiness throughout the Department of Defense. Her influence has ultimately improved the overall mission capability in support of Warfighters. Ms. Charles has served as a champion for change, diversity, inclusion, and equality and has led numerous organizations through major transformations in operational metrics.

 


Janet PriceGil Perkins

2019 Honoree

photo of Janet Price Janet "Jan" Price


Janet “Jan” Price began her federal service career in 1985 as a Contracting Specialist. She retired in October 2015 as Director of Procurement Process Support for DLA Aviation, a field activity of Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She returned to this previously held position after serving as Acting Deputy Commander, DLA Aviation, from May to November 2012. A Richmond, Virginia native, Ms. Price began her federal service career in 1985 as a Contracting Specialist. She has also served as a Contract Administrator, Contracting Officer, Procurement Analyst, Supervisory Systems Analyst and Product Operations Manager. Throughout her 30-year career, Ms. Price held Director positions in Procurement Process Support and Business Process Support. She advised DLA Aviation’s commander, deputy commander and head of the contracting activity on procurement-related matters as they related to acquisition policy and support, and on procedural support for all material management processes to include review and analysis of operational procedures, and sales and operations planning.

Additional positions she held included Deputy Director of Aviation Supplier Operations from October 2006 until March 2010, where under her leadership, Supplier Operations managed procurement acquisitions totaling $3.4 billion annually; Chief, Original Equipment Manufacturer Division, Aviation Supplier Operations Directorate, where she was responsible for sole-source items for major OEM suppliers using long-term contracting arrangements; and Chief, Emergency Supply Operations Branch, where she performed cradle to grave emergency procurements in support of the Warfighter. Finally, Ms. Price played a critical role in the establishment of the Product Center Team concept in Supplier Operations in 1993.

During her career, Ms. Price was a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and was Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III certified. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from James Madison University and a Master of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.

Ms. Price’s service was marked by excellence in leadership, an unwavering work ethic and a fierce dedication to tasks and teams.

Because of her achievements and outstanding commitment to maintaining the highest standards as a DLA Aviation employee and leader, Ms. Price was honored with the DLA Distinguished Career Service Award upon her retirement.

2018 Honoree

photo of Gil Perkins Benjamin "Gil" Perkins

Gil Perkins began his career at DLA Aviation as a Law Clerk in 1981 while in law school at the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. He retired in 2015 as Chief Counsel for DLA Counsel Aviation.

Benjamin “Gil” Perkins retired in October 2015 as Chief Counsel for DLA Counsel Aviation.

He assumed this position in April 2006.

In his role as Chief Counsel, he also served as the principal legal advisor to DLA Aviation on matters of acquisition law, personnel and labor law, ethics, fraud, and operations law. His office managed the Freedom of Information Act program and all congressional inquiries.

Prior to serving as Chief Counsel, he was Associate Counsel for Special Acquisitions and was the principal legal advisor for DLA Aviation’s strategic and complex acquisitions. He led a team of government contract attorneys practicing in what was then DLA Aviation’s Commodities Division and Strategic Material Sourcing Group Division, both in the Customer Operations Directorate. He also served as the legal advisor for the Supplier Relations Management Group and Business Development Office.

Mr. Perkins began his work at DLA Aviation as a law clerk in 1981 while in law school at the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, where he received his Juris Doctor in 1983. Mr. Perkins also has a bachelor's degree in political science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

He served as an attorney-advisor at DLA Aviation from 1984 until his retirement. As an attorney-advisor, he advised clients on a broad range of supply and service contracting, contract policy, fiscal and personnel matters; represented the agency in bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and served a temporary assignment as an agency trial attorney where he litigated cases before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.

In 2002, Mr. Perkins was a member of the DLA Aluminum Products Quality Team that led a DoD-wide investigation into the effects of potential safety and quality issues growing out of a subcontractor’s fraudulent misrepresentations. The team identified potentially affected items in the DoD inventory, alleviated concerns that safety critical parts were at risk, and developed recommendations to prevent and address similar issues in the future.

From 2002-2003, Mr. Perkins participated in a rotational assignment as Business Manager for the Packaged Petroleum, Chemicals, Gases and Rings, Shims and Spacers Product Center, a $120 million business center.

In 2003, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and the DoD General Counsel recognized Mr. Perkins for successfully assisting the TRICARE Management Activity in representing that activity before the U.S Government Accountability Office on a protest against an award under the TRICARE program, which provides health coverage for DoD service members, their dependents and service retirees.

Through 33 years of federal service, Mr. Perkins gained a reputation for thorough work and fair, beneficial results while acting in various legal capacities on behalf of DLA Aviation. It is because of his contributions to and tireless efforts on behalf of the installation that, upon his retirement, Mr. Perkins received the DLA Distinguished Career Service Award.


Patricia A. KuntzBrenda T. Longest

2017 Honoree

photo of Carolynn Michel Carolynn Michel

Carolynn Michel began her career in 1977 as a rotational General Schedule (GS)-2 Clerk Typist in Supplier Operations, Storage and Transportation. She retired in January 2015 as the Deputy Director of the Business Process Support Directorate.

Mrs. Michel oversaw the performance of the Enterprise Business System processes (Order Fulfillment, Planning and Technical Quality) by coordinating, consolidating and reporting the overall performance results. She also identified and assessed operations performance issues, and developed viable solutions to resolve cross-process issues in coordination with DLA’s process owners.

She also served as the DLA Aviation Field Command Team Lead for audit readiness and was responsible for implementation and sustained compliance. Prior to serving as the Deputy Director, she was the Division Chief of the directorate’s Research, Review and Analysis Division. She served as the Defense Supply Center Richmond Transitional Program Manager responsible for monitoring activities related to implementation and transition of items from the legacy system, Standard Automated Materiel Management System to Business Systems Modernization, the precursor to the Enterprise Business System.

Mrs. Michel successfully led the implementation of major systems that positively impacted DLA Aviation’s workforce. Those systems included the Automated Time, Attendance and Production System mainframe, Defense Civilian Personnel Data Systems and the Defense Civilian Pay System. She also oversaw the reorganization effort referred to as “Big Bang,” which moved 2,700 employees and their respective workload into the customer and supplier team construct as a precursor to Business Systems Modernization implementation.

She worked directly for DLA Headquarters on two occasions. First, she worked on the DLA Aluminum Parts Quality Assurance Group to determine whether a supplier improperly heat treated aluminum parts, thus putting DLA’s military customer at risk. Under her leadership, the team’s work led to the successful criminal prosecution of the company. Second, she was responsible for DLA’s migration to ATAAPS Graphics User Interface and recognized for the successful implementation affecting 27,000 employees across all DLA locations.

After 37 years of federal service, Mrs. Michel is well respected for her knowledge, experience, dedication and “can do” attitude. Her many contributions as a leader have been invaluable to DLA and DLA Aviation. Upon her retirement, Mrs. Michel received the DLA Distinguished Career Service Award.

2016 Honoree

photo of Mary Studevant Mary Studevant

Mary Studevant served the Department of Defense in a career spanning more than thirty years. She began as a secretary in 1966 and retired in 2003 as the Deputy Director of Support Services.

In 1972, she moved into the procurement field and held positions as a Procurement Clerk, Agent and Analyst until 1974, when she took an eight-year break in service to raise her children.

In 1982, Ms. Studevant re-entered the workforce as a Procurement Agent Intern. In 1986, she became a Supervisory Contract Specialist. In 1988, she became a Procurement Analyst Training Coordinator. In 1994, she was promoted to Defense Supply Center Richmond’s Executive Staff Officer (now the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Chief of Staff) where she served for four flag-level officers and was supervisor of the command staff for seven years. In this position, she helped develop and implement a seven-year action plan, which included training and organizational changes for DSCR and Defense Distribution Depot, Richmond, Virginia, employees. The plan incorporated the agency’s Total Quality Management philosophies and continuous process improvement concepts.

In 2001, she became the Deputy Director of Support Services (now DLA Installation Support at Richmond) until her retirement in 2003.

Ms. Studevant’s many contributions include developing of the Strategic Management System for the enterprise, developing the agency’s first Balanced Scorecard, and developing and implementing the
first DLA contracting intern program at DSCR.

Upon retirement from DSCR in 2003, Ms. Studevant managed the Virginia Executive Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, for 11 years.

She has held a number of professional memberships including those in the Richmond Rotary; Chesterfield Business Council; Richmond Chamber of Commerce; Federal Executive Association; and
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. Ms. Studevant currently serves as a mentor and works in the Lunch Buddy Program for Henrico County Schools and serves as a substitute teacher. She is also a
regular volunteer for WWBT TV’s NBC-12-On-Your-Side.

Ms. Studevant is a native of Kenbridge, Virginia, and a graduate of Smith-Madden Business College where she earned the executive commercial diploma. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and management (Magna Cum Laude) from VCU, where during her senior year she also received a pre-graduate fellowship at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. She
has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Richmond, Virginia, and completed the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executive Fellows.


Glen PetrinaDorothy Jean LohrPamela Day

2015 Honoree

photo Glen Petrina Glenn Petrina

Glenn J. Petrina served the Department of Defense in a career spanning forty-two years. He served his last twenty-six years on Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR). During this time, he held leadership positions in both a military and civilian capacity.

Mr. Petrina’s career with Defense Logistics Agency began in 1986 as a major in the U.S. Army. He was an Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager, working with DLA Operations Support Office (DOSO) at DSCR. He retired with 22 years of service as a lieutenant colonel in 1992 and returned to DOSO to begin his civil service career as DOSO’s Chief of Engineering, then Deputy Director, and in 1995 became its Director. In December 1997, Mr. Petrina served as the Director of Installation Services, managing facility engineering, equipment maintenance, and administrative services. His accomplishments included: managing the re-internment of human remains discovered during the construction of the Bettye Ackerman-Cobb Child Development Center; serving as the principal transition manager for the map mission transfer from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency to DSCR; approving and implementing military construction projects; and in conjunction with Chesterfield County and Army Materiel Command, successfully coordinating the construction of a radio tower enabling emergency services to communicate throughout the county and DSCR. He also provided oversight of the Ground Water and Soil Contamination Program.

In March 2001, Mr. Petrina became the Director of Information Resources and Chief Information Officer for DSCR. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Executive Information System and enhancing the Web Customer Account Tracking System. These systems expanded beyond DLA Aviation and served several agency supply chains. He also oversaw the migration of DLA Aviation Mapping Division’s outdated inventory systems into the agency’s current supply and distribution systems.

In August 2002, Mr. Petrina became the Director of the DLA Office of Operations Research and Resource Analysis (DORRA). During his 10-year tenure, he provided DLA with over one million hours of analytical support, specializing in benchmarking, modeling, simulation and supply chain management. Under his direction, DORRA’s analytical products included: Vendor Stock Retention Model; System of Integrated Metrics Analysis Model [used by DLA Aviation to determine the required inventory for weapons systems such as the B1, F-15, KC-135, F-100, F-110]; and acquisition business case analyses. He oversaw the Weapon System Re-investment Initiative which led to the Office of the Secretary of Defense providing $500 million for needed safety stock investment to improve support for critical weapon system items. Also under Mr. Petrina’s tenure, DORRA played a key role in sentencing a former DLA Aviation supplier who created a multi-year, multi-million dollar fraud scheme. Mr. Petrina retired from DLA in 2012.

Mr. Petrina’s accomplishments have served DLA Aviation, its predecessors, and all employees working onsite. His contributions improved supply chain operations and management, and his installation-related endeavors improved the physical facilities, landscape, safety, and environmental compliance. His cooperative working relationships between local, state, and federal agencies enhanced DSCR’s stature in the community. Center employees continue to reap the benefits of his contributions today.

2014 Honoree

photo of Dorothy Lohr Dorothy Jean Lohr

Dorothy Jean Lohr served Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in a career spanning forty-five years. She consistently led implementation of innovative acquisition procedures, forging the way for acquisition reform at DLA Aviation and throughout DLA.

Ms. Lohr, a resident of Chester, Virginia, was recognized for her significant and enduring contributions to the DLA Aviation mission, the workforce, and the nation’s defense.

Lohr served Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in a career spanning forty-five years. She consistently led implementation of innovative acquisition procedures, forging the way for acquisition reform at DLA Aviation and throughout DLA.  Affectionately known as the “Wizard of Policy,” she was one of DLA’s foremost experts in federal, Department of Defense (DoD), and DLA acquisition policy. She was known as a trailblazer, charting unknown territory, and always finding a balanced solution to extremely complex, often multifunctional, impacting issues.

Lohr began her career in 1967 as a secretary, General Schedule (GS)-4, in Special Purchases Division (SPUR) at what was then the Defense General Supply Center and served in several branch and division secretary positions through 1980.  Changing career fields in 1981, she was promoted to a buyer in the Educational Supplies Division supporting DoD Dependent Schools (DoDDS). She was promoted to a procurement (systems) analyst in the Management Support Office, Systems and Procedures Branch in 1984 as the BOSS subject matter expert.  In 1986 she was promoted to a procurement (policy) analyst.  Promoted to procurement policy chief in 2004, she transitioned to special projects in 2006 to focus her expertise on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).  She retired in 2007 and was asked to return as a retired annuitant to continue working BRAC issues, best (procurement) practices, procurement process support organization realignment, and DoD Activity Address Code synchronization.  She finalized her career in 2012.

Her abilities benefited DLA through improvements to DLA’s Pre-Award Contracting System and the design, development, and roll-out of Legacy Procurement Automated Contract Evaluation. She was a key member of the team that developed Business Systems Modernization Procurement Desktop Defense functionality; Solicitation Response/Offer Evaluation automated solicitation and award capability; and a senior policy member for the eProcurement Development Team.

Lohr was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2007 for outstanding contributions to the Procurement Process Support Directorate and recognized at the 2009 DLA 42nd Annual Recognition Program for excellence in procurement analysis.

2013 Honoree

photo of Pamela Day Pamela Day

Pamela Day served as director of DLR Procurement Operations organization at Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah in 2008. She worked tirelessly to assure that the stand-up of DLA Ogden was accomplished without complications. Largely due to Day’s management and procurement expertise, the Base Realignment and Closure directed organization stood up with minimal difficulty and without impact to customers or employees. Day believed it was important to not only build a basic organizational understanding of the BRAC changes, but to translate that into what it means for the organization and for the people and then communicate it throughout the organization.

Among her numerous successes, she recognized the importance of ensuring the necessary resources were in place to make this (BRAC Change) not only a successful transfer, but a successful organization in the future, ensuring continued support to DLA customers. Day brokered a deal with the Air Force to perform a detailed workforce study and was able to get buy-in from both DLA and the Air Force to transfer the necessary number of positions required to perform the required mission.

Without her expertise and leadership the new operation could not have achieved the success it enjoyed in integrating the BRAC vision of improved strategic performance.  Ms. Day’s untiring work ethic, and her commitment to the mission of the DLA Enterprise, coupled with her astute stewardship of resources, guaranteed the recurring pattern of success exhibited by every organization she had led or been affiliated.


Charles CarrellMichael Kuszmaul

2012 Honoree

photo of Charles Carrell Charles Carrell

Charles Carrell served as director of Quality Assurance (now Aviation Engineering) from February 1989 to July 2001 and as site director, DLA Installation Support at Richmond from July 2001 until January 2011. Mr. Carrell's long-term contributions and foresight have had a lasting and positive impact on DLA Aviation and DLA Installation Support.

He championed excellence across DLA in engineering and other technical areas to include aligning recruiting and personnel practices to increase the percentages of minority engineers within the organization, establishing a workflow system and transitioning to the electronic transmission of technical data packages (TDPs). His efforts ensured that the agency was able to handle a dramatic increase in the demand of TDPs.  Under his superb leadership, DLA generated over $50 million of reported savings annually via Value Management Programs which resulted in the agency’s multiple selections as the overall winner of the DoD Logistics Life Cycle Cost Reduction Award.

As site director, DLA Installation Support at Richmond, Mr. Carrell provided leadership and guidance to the newly formed organization (formerly DLA Enterprise Support).  He was responsible for a multitude of functions including special projects, installation management, administrative support, safety and environmental, security and fire and quality of life. Mr. Carrell was instrumental in directing the functions throughout various reorganizations and developed metrics and other improved methods to enhance the "operationalization" of the organization with a budget of over $60 million. He championed numerous initiatives relating to military construction projects, most notably the Headquarters Building, the Security and Emergency Services Building, and the enhanced Vehicle Registration and Mail Facility. Mr. Carrell died in Richmond March 1, 2011, but his legacy and impact will live on forever.

2012 Honoree

photo of Michael KuszmaulMichael Kuszmaul

Michael Kuszmaul began his career at Defense Supply Center Richmond in 1978 and served in several positions, one of which was buyer for POPS (Paperless Ordering Procurement System) in 1985 where he administered the original Kodak (POPS) contract.

Michael Kuszmaul began his career at Defense Supply Center Richmond in 1978 and served in several positions, one of which was buyer for POPS (Paperless Ordering Procurement System) in 1985 where he administered the original Kodak (POPS) contract.  During this time he expanded the POPS program by adding Kodak items to the original contract and expanded the program to additional contractors which supplied a variety of commercial products.  In 1987 he was assigned as contracting officer for the POPS program, which was expanded to include all long-term contracts.

Mr. Kuszmaul's exceptional work on this program was recognized by the Secretary of Defense with the Defense Superior Management Award in 1988, the DLA Productivity Achievement Award in 1989 and the National Performance Review (Hammer Award) Award.  This program served as a valuable tool for the center and is recognized as a front runner to much of the automation used today in DLA Aviation’s procurement processes.

Toward the end of his career, Mr. Kuszmaul was given the challenge of becoming the Maritime Detachment, Division Chief for Maritime Division II in November 2004.  The division was selected to be the first division to implement new Business System Modernization (BSM) technology at DLA.  Implementation was successful and the division exceeded all established goals under his direction.

His leadership during this process was integral in the successful conversion to Enterprise Business Systems.  Many of the tools he deployed during this transition are now common practice when fielding new systems.


Lilli Mae BrownDavid DimmickPhil Eckert, Jr.

2011 Honorees

photo of Lillie Mae Brown Lillie Mae Brown
Bellwood Service
1967 - 1994

Lillie Mae Brown served as a systems analyst with the Logistics Applications of Automated Marking (LOGMARS) Division of DLA Aviation, formerly the Defense General Supply Center.
Ms. Brown's courage and stand for equality for all minorities in the 1970s led to affirmative changes in hiring, training, awards, and promotion practices that were fair for all employees and ultimately created better appreciation and understanding of the value of diversity in the work force.In a period when minority groups faced real challenges in the labor force, Ms. Brown took a stand. Her courage and willingness to face those practices led to better opportunities for all minority groups.
Women now represent 51 percent of the DLA Aviation work force – and of these women  - 21 percent are African American. Women now represent 53 percent GS grades 11 thru 15, and there have been many significant changes in the representation and appreciation of diversity in our work force.

Ms. Brown also made significant accomplishments within her technical field.  As a systems analyst in the Defense Mechanization Support Office from 1982 through 1986, Ms. Brown worked to develop a standard bar code symbology for DoD, referred to as the LOGMARS project.

Lillie Mae Brown retired Oct. 9, 1994 as a GS-13 after 27 years of service. Ms. Brown, a "true leader" died in Richmond on February 6, 2006, but her legacy and impact will live forever.

photo of David DimmickDavid Dimmick
Bellwood Service
1983 - 2005

David Dimmick made major contributions to the business practices and financial operations of the Paperless Order Placement System which began at what was the Defense General Supply Center.
As a special projects officer, Mr. Dimmick positively affected hundreds of large and small suppliers through his many years of conscientious, dedicated work on the POPS.
DGSC was the first DLA organization to institute Electronic Data Interchange in February 1988. EDI, the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in standard format, was just starting to be widely implemented in the commercial sector at that time. DGSC was the first to send EDI not only to mainframe suppliers (large companies like Kodak and 3M) but also to small "mom-and-pop" suppliers for whom POPS opened up the world of computers.

POPS would go on to many other noteworthy accomplishments such as: communicating with suppliers via fax; instituting Decision Support Data in order to allow for Tiered and Regional Pricing (among other capabilities); POPS labels for overseas shipments; incorporating Transportation Control Movement Documents; communicating with suppliers through Value - Added Networks; and upgrading to EDI Level 3050.

Mr. Dimmick also worked on the Standard Automated Material Management System, specifically the procurement subset of SAMMS. In addition, he worked on local "unique" programs such as Computer Assisted Requisition Review and Reentry System and he worked on another "hot" agency project called Virtual Prime Vendor which still exists today.
photo of Phil Eckert, Jr.Phil Eckert, Jr.
Bellwood Service
1987 - 2006

Philip Eckert, Jr. served as chief counsel at Defense Supply Center Richmond from July 1987 through July 2006. His long-term contributions and foresight have had a lasting and positive impact on DSCR and the DLA Aviation mission and business practices.
As chief counsel, Mr. Eckert served as DSCR's primary legal
counsel and as the leader of a staff of 13 lawyers and four support personnel.

His almost 20-year tenure as chief counsel spanned a time period that included not only major changes in DSCR's mission, but also occurred against a backdrop of unprecedented legislative and regulatory transition affecting acquisition, ethics, personnel law and policy.

As a member of the DLA Office of General Counsel's Senior Leadership Team, Mr. Eckert played a lead role in implementing changes to the organization of field activity counsel offices necessitated by DLA's transition to supply chain management, and by the addition of new missions and personnel mandated by Base Realignment and Closure or BRAC. He created teams within the DSCR Office of Counsel organized by supply chain and led by senior attorneys.

He also led the way in creating the new position of supply chain counsel, who is responsible for managing legal services to Aviation Supply Storage and Distribution sites and depot level repairables detachments and the attorneys assigned to those field offices.
 


VADM Keith Lippert, USN (retired)Toni NortonWilliam Oakley Jr.

2010 Honorees

photo of VADM Keith Lippert, USN (retired) VADM Keith Lippert, USN (retired)
Bellwood Service
1993 - 1995

Vice Adm. Keith Lippert, U.S. Navy (Retired) served as commander, Defense Supply Center Richmond from June 1993 to June 1995 when the center was known as Defense General Supply Center.
Vice Adm. Lippert was also instrumental in managing increased workload through Phase II Consumable Item Transfer and the 1993 Base and Realignment Closure law. His visionary leadership made him a primary force in moving the organization forward through reengineering and motivation. Many of the programs he introduced had significant long-term contributions to the way Defense Supply Center Richmond continues to operate today.

Some of his notable contributions included: introducing a Continuous Improvement Cycle at Defense General Supply Center, establishing customer-focused and -driven metrics, creating the Business Development Office, which was a forerunner to Customer Relationship Management; establishing the Customer Call Center, which evolved into a world class operation; championing initiatives to align operational goals in the center’s business plans with those of the product centers and customer-driven measures; being a strong advocate for union involvement and forming a total quality partnership with American Federation of Government Employee Local 1992; expanding the school partnership program from two to four schools; and establishing the Inventory Control Point Academy, known today as the Aviation Academy. The core values of Defense General Supply Center under the command of Vice Adm. Lippert are still in place today. The focus on people, integrity, customers, teamwork, quality, excellence and responsible stewardship continue due to his leadership.

After serving as commander of Defense General Supply Center, he went on to serve as Defense Logistics Agency director from July 2001 until his retirement in July 2006.
 

 

 

photo of  Toni NortonToni Norton
Bellwood Service
1991 - 2007

Toni Norton retired in 2007 as the Defense Supply Center Richmond site transition and culture manager after 16 years of service here, with 32 total years in federal government.
Her service and contributions had an immediate and enduring impact on the Defense Supply Center Richmond and the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation.

She was instrumental in moving the center from transition to full operational capacity within the Business Systems Modernization, with minimum disruption to the workflow processes. This conversion fundamentally changed the way Defense Logistics Agency Aviation manages and conducts its business.

Her notable contributions included: making recommendations that supported the agency strategy, implementation, design, test, and the actual deployment of the Business Systems Modernization which included developing town halls, sponsor meetings, open forums, and subject matter expert meetings so the work force could confidently transition from the legacy system to Business Systems Modernization; leading in supporting and facilitating the implementation of the supply chain concept with the rollout of the Maritime Detachment, Aviation Commodities, Air Frames and Engines, other supported aviation items and the aviation detachment rollouts at Defense Supply Centers in Columbus, Ohio and Philadelphia.

Ms. Norton also played a pivotal role as DSCR’s culture manager. She presented action plans to command with specific focus areas based on her analysis of survey results, incorporated focus groups to target specific areas, and provided feedback on actions taken to measure progress. Many of her initiatives, such as the Mutual Expectation Agreement, a two-way communication tool, have had a lasting impact on the work force.

William "Ray" Oakley Jr.
Bellwood Service
1971 - 2007

William "Ray" Oakley Jr. retired as chief of the Research, Review and Analysis Division in June 2007 after a 36-year career at Defense Supply Center Richmond. He made considerable contributions in the areas of business process improvement and organization management.
During his government service, he was instrumental in the success of several major efforts implemented at Defense Supply Center Richmond and Defense Logistics Agency.
Mr. Oakley’s significant accomplishments included: creating the Department of Defense Joint Supplier and Vendor scorecards; working across the agency to assign Commercial and Government Entity Code systems, or CAGEs, to the correct supply chain. These codes ensured original equipment manufacturer divisions across the agency had the correct workload based on their assigned suppliers. As an aviation supply chain lead analyst, he was responsible for working with supply operations in collaborating with Defense Logistics Agency headquarters on issues related to federal supply class realignments in the development of supply chains. In addition, he served as the lead analyst in closing the Stockton, Calif., facility, for integrating Industrial Plant Equipment operations into Defense Supply Center Richmond, and on the Defense Depot Richmond Warehouse Cleanup Project.

Mr. Oakley’s career spanned a wide variety of duties and his expertise, advice, and knowledge of aviation supply chain operations and logistical supply fields were well known throughout Defense Supply Center Richmond and Defense Logistics Agency.

Verona mcleodBrenda LongestRichard J BaileyLouis M. Stephens

2009 Honorees

Verona McLeod
Bellwood Service
1976 - 2006

Verona McLeod retired in 2006 as director of financial operations after more than 30 years of service. Her dedication to mission effectiveness and program management served as a model for all. Ms. McLeod began her career with the federal government in 1965.  
Her distinguished accomplishments while at Defense Logistics Agency included serving as the project officer for the implementation of the Appropriated Accounting System. That integrated accounting system was used for all operational funds. The implementation was successful and Ms. McLeod’s oversight, training and follow-up were commendable.

Ms. McLeod also established the Supply Chain Management Office, which served as the center’s focal point for external customers, Headquarters and internal customers for supply chain management support. The office became a model within the Defense Logistics Agency. Her leadership was instrumental in the development of the Premium Pricing System for the Emergency Supply Operations Center. The system was finalized and significantly improved service to customers. By streamlining data call processes, budgetary staffs across center benefited tremendously from a productivity standpoint.

Ms. McLeod received many awards and honors for her service to Defense Logistics Agency and Defense Supply Center Richmond. She received the Defense Logistics Agency Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Distinguished Career Service Award. Ms. McLeod was a talented, dedicated, leader who led by example. Her selfless service to the work force, customers and the agency are her legacy.
 

Brenda Longest
Bellwood Service
1961 - 2007

Brenda Longest retired in September 2007 as the pillar lead for 2005 Base Realignment and Closure supply, storage and distribution management reconfiguration after 45 years of federal service with Defense Supply Center Richmond.
During her career, she led many logistics programs resulting in innovative and successful advancements for Defense Logistics Agency.
She played a key role in the transition of Defense Supply Center Richmond through the age of automation, beginning with the depot Mechanization of Warehouse and Shipping Procedures system to the Defense Logistics Agency supply center Standard Automated Material Management System, and ultimately, she also spearheaded implementation of the Enterprise Business System applications.

One of Ms. Longest’s best known roles was as chief marketing officer in the 1990s, during which she helped increase sales for Defense Supply Center Richmond product lines and services. She was instrumental in educating customers and suppliers worldwide on Defense Logistics Agency capabilities. Ms. Longest was directly responsible for the center’s increased sales of energy efficient lighting products, while saving DoD and other federal agencies millions of dollars in energy costs.

Ms. Longest served as acting deputy commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond in 2000, and later as the supply lead for the supply, storage, and distribution reconfiguration pillar of the Base Realignment and Closure Implementation Team. As director of customer operations, Ms. Longest led the establishment of legacy customer teams in 2002. The teams prepared the organization for systems and process changes that shifted from a commodity-based supply chain orientation to a customer-facing demand chain approach. Her customer support organization extended outside Defense Supply Center Richmond boundaries to Defense Logistics Agency Europe, Defense Logistics Agency Pacific, and key customer sites.

In her last career assignment, from October 2005 through August 2006, Ms. Longest worked an aggressive schedule to establish an execution plan for Defense Logistics Agency to assume management of military service distribution operations. During her tenure, Ms. Longest facilitated multiple Defense Logistics Agency data sharing arrangements with the military services. She pioneered use of war rooms in customer team operations to drill down to specific critical requirements of military customers.

Ms. Longest is best known for is her superb mentorship and leadership abilities. She always made extraordinary efforts to ensure communication flowed to all employees. Her outstanding achievements as a leader made her the ultimate role model. She also helped advance the role of women in the executive ranks and cultivated diversity within the workplace.
 

Richard J. (Jim) Bailey
Bellwood Service
1986 - 2007

Richard J. (Jim) Bailey retired in July 2007 as deputy commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond. He came to Defense Supply Center Richmond in 1986, to serve as the chief of the Requirements Systems Management Branch of the Supply Operations Directorate.
As deputy commander, he provided oversight for the aviation supply and demand chain that managed more than 25 percent of Defense Logistics Agency’s four million consumable items. He provided leadership to more than 2,900 civilian and military personnel at 11 locations, performing logistics support management for more than 1.25 million national stock numbers. This translated to greater than $3.3 billion in annual sales and the processing of more than 4.4 million requisitions annually.

One of Mr. Bailey’s noteworthy accomplishments was as a “plank-owner” of the Business Systems Modernization transformation initiative. His efforts throughout its implementation were continually recognized both in and outside of the agency. Mr. Bailey was a critical sponsor for the successful transition to Business Systems Modernization, transferring approximately 900,000 items of supply from legacy systems, with a demand value of $2.73 billion. Mr. Bailey continually led the charge to increase business relationships with small vendors, with awards to small business firms exceeding $1 billion. Under his leadership, Defense Supply Center Richmond successfully implemented the Service Disabled Veteran owned Small Business Program, with awards increasing from $8 million in fiscal 2004 to $26 million in 2006.

Focusing on process improvements, Mr. Bailey was instrumental in the initiation of the Defense Supply Center Richmond Lean-Six Sigma office in 2005. This resulted in Defense Supply Center Richmond having the highest number of black belts and green belts in Defense Logistics Agency. His focus on growing the business with industry partners was highly successful. He championed 25 new partnering agreements with commercial aerospace industries, increasing sales by more than $30 million.

Mr. Bailey also demonstrated exceptional environment stewardship. Under his guidance, Defense Supply Center Richmond received International Organization for Standardization 14001 accreditation in the environmental management system, was accepted into the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s National Performance Track Program and was recognized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality as an Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise participant in the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program.
 

Pat James
Bellwood Service
1993 - 2006

Pat James retired in September 2006 as director of the Richmond Land and Maritime Detachment after 37 years of federal service. He served three years in the Marine Corps, and 35 years as a federal civil servant, 13 of them were at DSCR.
Early in his career at Defense Supply Center Richmond, he was chief of the Operations Division. He administered and directed implementation of plans, objectives and programs for Industrial Plant Equipment field services. With the operating site in Pennsylvania, Mr. James maintained close communications and coordination of all policies, procedures and guidance. Due to his exceptional knowledge of the Industrial Plant Equipment world, Mr. James was made deputy leader of Product Center 8, and was responsible for the activities of three branches: Customer Requirements; Production Scheduling; and Commodity Management. He represented DLA on a Joint Service Depot Maintenance Group, providing workload breakdowns and performance metrics reporting for all services.


He was also property program manager for all Department of Defense and federal agencies regarding Industrial Plant Equipment.. As Product Center Leader for three Defense Supply Center Richmond product centers, Mr. James directed, planned, coordinated, and organized complex professional and administrative functional areas to meet customer expectations. He was tasked with merging two product centers to consolidate resources and freed up supervisory and manager positions for a new business model. As a testament to his leadership skills and capabilities, he was temporarily promoted to deputy of Business Operations at Defense Supply Center Richmond. During that time, he served as joint chair on the Material Obligations Committee and Resource Management, controlling and setting guidance on material expenditures.

In November 2004, the Land and Maritime Detachment was established at Defense Supply Center Richmond with Mr. James as the director. The reorganization established integrated supplier teams supporting two distinct supply chains. Every employee affected was faced with uncertainty, and in most cases, wholesale changes in their daily work. In addition, the Land Division assumed management of the high-visibility, high-dollar battery population from the U.S Army. In the first year, the division reduced backorders transferred by 99 percent. Mr. James met all these challenges and excelled.

Mr. James was a professional logistics manager, respected for his knowledge, experience, dedication, and enthusiastic approach to work. His many contributions as a leader and business manager were invaluable to Defense Logistics Agency and Defense Supply Center Richmond.
 


Mary Kay CyrusDarius Lantz

2008 Honorees

Mary Kay Cyrus
Bellwood Service
1980 - 2005

Mary Kay Cyrus retired after 25 years of federal service.Some of her notable contributions that have had a sustained impact on DSCR and the Defense Logistics Agency include expanding use of the Enterprise Linked Logistics Information Source and concept development of a supportability analysis model.
Most of that service was spent at Defense Supply Center Richmond, where she served in a variety of positions, including director of planning and resource management, comptroller, business operations deputy director, director of information systems, and, at the time of her retirement, director of legacy systems support.
Some of her notable contributions that have had a sustained impact on DSCR and the Defense Logistics Agency include expanding use of the Enterprise Linked Logistics Information Source and concept development of a supportability analysis model. Mrs. Cyrus also facilitated the development of a mapping national stock number hierarchy, which set the stage for the successful transition of items into the current supply chain hierarchy. She was the advocate and chief designer of Aviation Investment Strategy, a $500 million effort that improved support on critical weapon system items by 47 percent in three years.

During DSCR's transformation from the aviation lead center to the aviation supply chain, Mrs. Cyrus was assigned as the lead for the "Big Bang" effort. Big Bang was the name of DSCR's transformation from an inventory control point-centric organizational structure to the business system modernization organizational structure. Big Bang was the largest reorganization of people and workload in DSCR's history, impacting over 2,000 personnel. It is directly a result of her planning, organization, analytical skills and broad knowledge of our business, that DSCR successfully implemented this major transformation. She retired from DSCR in June 2005.

Darius Lantz
Bellwood Service
1969 - 2002

Darius Lantz began his civilian career at the Defense Depot Richmond in 1969 after serving three years in the United States Army. He transferred to Defense Supply Center Richmond in 1971 and worked a variety of clerical assignments until his promotion to procurement agent in 1977.
In 1985, he was promoted to chief of the Systems Acquisition Division. As chief, Mr. Lantz demonstrated superior ability in recruiting and motivating the best of the acquisition workforce at DSCR. He was involved in some of the most complex acquisitions ever attempted with in Defense Logistics Agency. He implemented the "Best Value" procurements for the agency, awarded and administered a new telephone switch and system contract in the mid 80s, and was the driving force in a number of automated material handling systems acquisitions used to modernize material handling operations throughout DLA.

Under his leadership, the division was one of the first acquisition offices in DLA to use formal source selection procedures under newly published Federal Acquisition Regulations. Through his guidance and tutoring, the division developed and executed new practices and procedures for selecting contractors through formal evaluation and source selection involving complex technical and contracting proposals. In fact, much of his work formed the baseline for formal source selections and best value procurements now accepted as standard practice. In the mid 1990s, Mr. Lantz led the transformation of the Virtual Prime Vendor Program from the Philadelphia retail model to supporting entire weapon systems and subsystems. This transition represented an entirely different approach to VPV and to how DLA supported weapon systems. His efforts with VPV led to DSCR's current supplier engagements in strategic supplier alliances and performance-based logistics initiatives.

Mr. Lantz also directed the base support effort for the center for the 12 years before his retirement. Under his tutelage, DSCR established the Wellness Program, which has been instrumental in developing a culture of wellness across the center, but more importantly, in the individual lifestyles and lives of the center's employees. His efforts in the base support area were instrumental in DSCR receiving the Commander in Chief's Installation Excellence Award on five separate occasions.
He retired from DSCR in May 2002 and died March 18, 2008.
 


David J GayJanet Watkins

2007 Honorees

David J. Gay
Bellwood Service
1995 - 2005

David J. Gay began his career at Defense Supply Center Richmond in November 1995 as a collaboration business process analyst working with the Enterprise Business System, formerly known as Business Systems Modernization.
One of his most significant accomplishments was the conception, development and deployment of the Web Customer Account Tracking System.
WebCATS revolutionized and simplified the way DLA's logistics employees, customers and suppliers interacted with Defense Logistics Agency inventory control and provided an enterprise-owned, easy-to-use, self-service, Web-based application to retrieve supply logistics information. Mr. Gay's idea was to have access to one system that reflected summary information on any DLA national stock number either one-at-a-time or on multiple NSNs, in a report format, using "point-and-click" query technology.

It is impossible to quantify the impact that WebCATS has had on the thousands of DLA customers, employees, and suppliers or to quantify the benefits they received. WebCATS was so successful that it had more than 13,000 user accounts worldwide, not counting the thousands of individual DLA employees across the globe with account access. As part of EBS, WebCATS functionality is being replicated in the eMall Customer Account Tracking System. The functionality perpetuated in eMall CATS that resulted from Mr. Gay’s simple idea will continue to provide the warfighter the best DLA logistics supply data.

Mr. Gay will long be remember at DSCR for his imagination, innovation and vision that simplified the ability of his fellow co-workers, and DLA’s suppliers and customers to more efficiently perform their jobs providing world-class DLA support.
 

Janet Watkins
Bellwood Service
1960 - 2003

Janet W. Watkins joined the Bellwood team in 1960 as a clerk typist and ended her career as a management/program analyst working in DSCR’s Corporate Plans Office. She defined what an outstanding analyst/manager should be. Her personal commitment to every employee and project exceeded everyone’s expectations.
She constantly ensured people were the number one priority. Her long-lasting contributions to DSCR and DLA resonate through two key projects.
The first is the Paperwork Reduction Initiative in the early 1990s, and the second is the transfer of the map mission from National Imagery and Mapping Agency to DSCR in the late 1990s. In July 1992. through her leadership as team chairwoman on the Paperwork Reduction Initiative, the project was completed on time and provided an online report viewing capability to all employees.

She also led the DSCR team to reduce 55 percent of the automatic data processing paper products on center—eliminating a total of 5.5 million pages. Three recommendations made by her team were adopted for DLA’s Enterprise Business System, formerly known as Business Systems Modernization.

In 1997, Ms. Watkins led the transfer of the map mission from National Imagery and Mapping Agency to DSCR. She was responsible for the movement of systems, equipment, supplies, inventory and personnel from Bethesda, Md., to DSCR. Ms. Watkins’ ability to deal effectively with whatever problem she was confronted with resulted in maintaining the confidence of everyone involved in the transfer. These two projects, coupled with others, resulted in a direct long-lasting, positive impact on this center and DLA. Ms. Watkins was recognized with many awards throughout her career.

She received the DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2003 for outstanding performance. She was interviewed for the video production of “DLA—40 years of Logistics Experience—1961 to 2001” because of her knowledge of DSCR and the agency.

Rufus BillupsBarbara Higginbotham

2006 Honorees

Maj. Gen. Rufus L. Billups, USAF (ret.)
Bellwood Service
1975 - 1978

Air Force Maj. Gen. Rufus Billups (ret.) was known as the “people’s general” because of his unwavering efforts to enhance the self development and promotional opportunities for women and minorities as well as improve the working conditions for all employees.
Upon his arrival as commander, the center was immersed in a federal class action suit and he was adamant about fulfilling the terms of the agreement by increasing the number of women and minorities in trainee, middle- and high-grade positions.

General Billups was the first to institute the upward mobility program to allow wage-grade employees to be converted to and/or compete for general schedule positions. Because of his commitment to enhancing the educational and skill levels of the work force, he was the first to offer a 100 percent tuition reimbursable program and to have college courses offered at the center.

In addition, it was under his leadership that the first master’s degree program was offered here.  His contributions to the center are evident throughout DSCR today because he laid the foundation for diversity and employee development.

He retired from the Air Force on April 1, 1980. He passed away on January 30, 1996.
 

Barbara P. Higginbotham
Bellwood Service
1961 - 1999

Barbara P. Higginbotham began her federal career in administration at DSCR in 1961 and rose up the ranks to become the chief of personnel staffing in human resources. She was at the forefront of the regionalization of the human resources offices in DLA.
Through her efforts, the DSCR Civilian Personnel Office, acquired personnel servicing for  Naval Personnel Offices and for the Defense Commissary Agency’s central and southern regions. 
The successes of DSCR CPO serving as a regional personnel servicing center was instrumental in the overall future transformation of all of the DLA CPOs, which became one regional personnel office in Columbus, Ohio .  

DLA has gained respect from other government agencies as a top-notch regional personnel servicing center and has acquired other agencies to service since regionalization.  This would not have happened had Ms. Higginbotham not performed in her usual manner as a forward-thinking professional in all that she did.

Ms. Higginbotham was at the forefront of many major automation projects for human resources within DLA.  The new merit promotion system, Resumix, was used at DSCR before anywhere else in DLA.  She retired from DSCR in June 1999.

Cecilia BeckerRichard MarinoSharron RichardsonJames Totsch

2005 Honorees

Cecelia L. Becker
Bellwood Service
1966 - 2003

Cecelia L. Becker, known by friends and coworkers as “C.B.,” was the first woman to hold the position of Equal Employment Manager at Defense Supply Center Richmond. Under her leadership, this office was recognized as the DLA EEO Activity of the Year in 1997, 1998, and 2000.
As program manager of the Federal Women’s Program Committee, she led the initiative for a child care development center which officially opened November 2000 as the Bettye Ackerman-Cobb Child Development Center. C. B. is remembered for her enthusiasm, energy and dedication in the field of Equal Employment Opportunity.

Richard Marino
Bellwood Service
1970 - 1997

Richard Marino was an innovator focused on moving DSCR into the future. As a systems and procedures manager, he played a key role in coordinating the requirements of many unique automated systems, critical initiatives and projects which provided enhanced support to the DSCR mission.
 

During his tenure, to name a few of his major projects, Mr. Marino headed a DLA team responsible for automating the procurement process; introduced the concept of configuration management; brought Video Teleconferencing Capability to DSCR; and, facilitated the transfer of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency mission. He was selected as one of the 10 Outstanding Personnel of DLA in 1977 and nominated again for that honor in 1991. Mr. Marino set the standard for professionalism, integrity, leadership and excellence.

Sharron Richardson
Bellwood Service
1960 - 1996

Sharron Richardson is remembered as a leader, challenging herself and others to excel. Rising through the ranks, she served as a post award contract administrator during a time when women served primarily in clerical support positions.
She served in several critical leadership positions demonstrating her expertise in all aspects of federal procurement. Many DSCR employees remember Ms. Richardson as a mentor whose honest advice helped guide their careers and encouraged them to follow their dreams. She was a role model never afraid to speak her mind and was always willing to challenge traditional ways of doing business. Her pursuit of excellence and demonstrated dedication to the organization inspired co-workers and supervisors alike.


Brig. Gen. James P. Totsch, USAF (ret.) 

Bellwood Service 

2001 - 2003

Air Force Brig. Gen. James P. Totsch (ret.) left a lasting legacy for future commanders as commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond from August 2001 to July 2003. His motto “Focus, Metrics and Teamwork,” along with his vision, improved performance, strategically aligned the center for change management, and truly shaped DSCR.

Brig. Gen. Totsch clearly articulated his vision of establishing enhanced relationships with customers and suppliers, while simultaneously facilitating the transition to the new BSM organization. During a two year period, customer sales increased 42 percent to reach $3.3 billion for fiscal 2003. His dynamic leadership abilities and commitment to excellence were an inspiration to all.


Elizabeth AckermanSarah ClarkeBetty GambleHarold HalvorsenRobert IrvingFred JibbenFrank LottsMary McKeever

2004 Honorees

Elizabeth Ackerman-Cobb
Bellwood Service
1956 - 1993

Elizabeth H. Ackerman set the standard for professionalism, integrity, leadership and excellence. Her extraordinary logistics knowledge bettered the performance of Bellwood and the people she contacted throughout her career.
Her dedication to duty, personal sacrifice and unwavering commitment to excellence set a standard that few can hope to achieve but to which many can aspire.

Sarah Clarke
Bellwood Service
1963 - 1997

Sarah K. Clarke showed the highest level of kindness along with professionalism in supporting her customers, the employees of Bellwood. She went out of her way to aid those who were making permanent changes of station to Richmond.
Ms. Clarke excelled in performing her duties under manual and electronic processes, giving employees great confidence and assistance in completing matters related to travel.
Betty Jane Gamble
Bellwood Service
1958 - 1999

Betty Jane Gamble demonstrated supreme professionalism and competency in a highly visible job. She was a contact between Bellwood and ranking officials at all levels of government.
Her personal and professional skills gave the installation a solid grounding in administrative matters over the course of many transitions. Ms. Gamble accomplished this while also showing extremely appropriate human relations principles.
Harold E. Halvorsen
Bellwood Service
1974 - 1994

Harold E. Halvorsen broke ground in making the Defense Logistics Agency a leader in cost and supply fulfillment success using electronic processes.
His work was at the forefront of developing electronic commerce, a concept that became standard among public and private enterprises a dozen years later. His vision and innovation to harness the then-emerging power of computers are paying great benefits even today.
Robert C. Irving
Bellwood Service
1975 - 1999

Robert C. Irving led by example and was a critical member of Bellwood’s senior management team.
He met difficult challenges head on and led his subordinate managers and their staffs through many cultural transformations. Managers were well served by his uncanny ability to get to the heart of issues and mediate solutions that created “win-win” situations.
Fred E. Jibben
Bellwood Service
1966 - 1987

Fred Jibben, one of the most well known and admired people at Bellwood, made sure the installation had the mechanical equipment necessary to accomplish its mission.
He tackled projects whether they were large, small, complicated or easy. His untiring efforts, attention to smallest detail and personal experience established the installation as one of the best consolidated maintenance facilities in the Department of Defense.
Frank B. Lotts
Bellwood Service
1971 - 2000

Frank Lotts made contributions to the professional and quality of life aspects of Bellwood.
Through his efforts in labor-management relations, information technology, community partnership and employee development, the supply center achieved success in its mission inside and outside Bellwood’s boundaries. He was a strong proponent for the portal and web technology that has made Defense Supply Center Richmond a recognized leader in these capabilities.
Mary P. McKeever
Bellwood Service
1967 - 1999

Mary McKeever showed visibly unique commitment to Bellwood and the Defense Logistics Agency. She kept the military customer in the forefront of her dealings with suppliers, many times using her persuasion skills to obtain accelerated production and deliveries
By willingly sharing her knowledge, experience, guidance and advice, she influenced and inspired co-workers and managers to achieve excellence.