DLA Hall of Fame

Ms. Darlene Ferrante served with great distinction as Human Resources Customer Account Manager for DLA Distribution from August 2004 to April 2020. The Human Resources innovations implemented by Ms. Ferrante enable DLA Distribution to optimize its global distribution system.

Her work provided and sustained DLA Distribution’s greatest resource--its people. She created a significant and lasting impact on the organization and the Warfighters that Distribution supports. The people she brought to Distribution increased logistics excellence and
maximized warfighting capability and efficiency.

Because of Ms. Ferrante, DLA Distribution has a legacy of innovation, improvement, and dedication to people. The outstanding leadership displayed by Ms. Ferrante reflects great credit upon herself, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Ms. Ferrante's accomplishments.

 

Ms. Twila Gonzales distinguished herself through unsurpassed and noticeably distinguished service as the Deputy Commander, DLA Distribution from December 2013 through April 2020. Her accomplishments were indicative of her sense of selfless service, focus on people, and the mission.

Ms. Gonzales applied her many years of DLA leadership experience and her extensive knowledge of storage and distribution concepts, practices, and principles to successfully establish a progressive vision and growth strategy for DLA Distribution. Her efforts helped shape the path of logistics throughout her tenure and into the future. She was the driving force behind many innovative yet challenging transformations, ensuring the most modem, efficient logistical support to the Warfighter.

Her outstanding dedication resulted in greater standards of service for DLA Distribution, the Agency, and the customers supported. Ms. Gonzales put people first and implemented initiatives to forever improve leadership development within the organization. Ms. Gonzales' dedication to the organization's mission and its employees reflects great credit upon herself, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense. 

Read more about Twila Gonzales' accomplishments.

 

Carol O'Leary distinguished herself as a trusted financial advisor, a dedicated mentor and an
exemplary leader while serving as the DLA Finance for Energy Director, Defense Logistics Agency Energy.

From July 1973 through January 2014, Ms. O'Leary exhibited the highest level of professionalism, unwavering integrity, and dedication while advocating for new and more efficient ways for the command to support the warfighter. She had an unrelenting commitment to mission success and understood that a well-trained, resilient, and dedicated workforce was the best way to provide uninterrupted energy support to every customer.

Ms. O'Leary's distinctive accomplishments and many significant contributions reflect great credit upon herself, the
Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Carol O' Leary's accomplishments.

 

Lieutenant General Darrell K. Williams, USA (Ret. ), is a deserving selectee to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Hall of Fame. As the DLA Director, General Williams' vision and leadership were instrumental in the Agency's extraordinary growth during a period of
unprecedented challenges.

His tour began with responses to three consecutive hurricanes, with DLA providing 2.7 million gallons of fuel and over 88 million meals. Near the end of his tour, General Williams led the Agency through the initial stages of the COVID-19 response, resulting in more than $833 million in obligations for medical equipment, personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, fuel, and more. On other fronts, General Williams pushed for innovations like the Service Readiness Dashboard, and he oversaw the development of the Agency Synchronization Operations Center.

Under his leadership, DLA saw progress in Warfighter and Whole of Government support, industry engagement, and workforce culture. As the Commander, DLA Land and Maritime, General Williams' steady, positive leadership resulted in exceptional customer support and the highest levels of weapon system readiness across the board for Agency customers.
It is in that spirit that we gladly welcome him into this year's DLA Hall of Fame class.

Read more about LTG Williams' accomplishments.

 

Mr. Kenneth Winslette is a contracting legend. Warfighter first mentality, selfless service, leader, mentor, collaborator and creative thinker are just a few attributes that describe his impact to not only the Defense Logistics Agency, but the Department of Defense mission. He has over 36 years of Federal Government acquisition experience, with the last eight being served with DLA. He played a key role in the Base Realignment and Closure 2005 realignment of service employees to DLA and earned the positions of Director of Defense Logistics Agency, Depot Level Repairable, Procurement Operations at Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia and
Director Strategic Acquisition Programs, DLA Aviation, Richmond, Virginia.

He established the DLA Aviation team, Strategic Acquisition Directorate, and the Acquisition Support team. He is a proven leader with contracting experience at the operational, weapon system sustainment, and major acquisition levels with twenty-two years as a warranted contracting officer in a variety of positions from a procuring contracting officer to a director of contracting operations.

Mr. Winslette’s imprint on the workforce is reflected by the vast number of senior leaders
mentored by him now holding key positions within DLA leadership. The distinctive
accomplishments of Mr. Winslette reflect great credit upon himself, the Defense Logistics
Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Kenneth Winslette's accomplishments.

 

Ms. Bushman had extensive experience in dealing with long-term DLA contracting issues. These included litigating several cases with respect to contracts for bulk storage, providing client counseling and handling several protests related to contract awards for hydrazine fuels, and working on successful legislative proposals to amend the legislation authorizing long-term fuel storage contracts.

She had significant experience working with the command’s energy programs and she specialized in environmental and fiscal issues. In addition, she provided legal support to the Bulk Petroleum program during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ms. Bushman always enjoyed a challenge, especially one that encouraged her to think outside the box. She routinely volunteered for novel projects where there was no clear legal precedent governing the course of action.

Ms. Bushman was hand-picked for a detail to a non-attorney position, serving as deputy director for the Fuels Accounting System Information Technology project from 1998-2001. She returned to the Office of Counsel in 2002 and retired from DLA Energy in 2016.

Ms. Bushman ensured that the decision she made or solution she landed on would be supported by a thorough legal analysis. Ms. Bushman is well deserving of a place in the DLA Hall of Fame.       

Read more about Ms. Bushman's accomplishments.

Ms. Charles distinguished herself through exceptionally meritorious service in a wide range of challenging leadership and staff positions. 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 by enhancing industry partnerships and supplier relationships within the aerospace, land, and maritime industries.

Her influence ultimately improved the overall mission capability in support of the Warfighters Ms. Charles served as a champion for change, diversity, inclusion, and equality and led numerous organizations through major transformation in operational metrics.

Untiring work ethic and her commitment to the mission of the Warfighter and DLA Enterprise coupled with her astute stewardship of resources, guaranteed the recurring pattern of success exhibited by this organization.

Read more about Ms. Charles's accomplishments.

During his 36 years of federal service, Mr. Thomas Daley was an exceptional leader, mentor, and visionary, was committed to acquisition excellence and successful leadership in multiple supply chains. His expertise and influence had a positive impact on readiness, strategic planning, and sustainment operations for deployed forces around the world. Mr. Daley's total dedication and professional work ethic benefited not only the Defense Logistics Agency but our nation's heroes as well.

Read more about Mr. Daley's accomplishments.

Mr. Falvey drove the transformation of DLA's business practices to successfully meet the challenges of the 21st century by envisioning, developing, and implementing the Enterprise Business Systems (EBS) programs foundational to DLA’s continued logistics excellence. From 1998 to 2010, he served successively in the key roles of Logistics Architect, Program Manager (PM), Program Executive Officer (PEO), and Executive Director, Enterprise Solutions, successfully transforming DLA’s IT support of vital logistics capabilities and enabling more timely and efficient IT support of a then-over $40 billion annual logistics support mission.

The EBS set of programs delivered significant enhancements in mission performance while reducing related costs. As Logistics Architect, PM, and selection to the Senior Executive Service and assignment as PEO, he was directly responsible for fielding the most significant of these programs, DLA's Business Systems Modernization (BSM). BSM was the agency’s first major automated information system, culminating an intensive eight-year $750 million process in December 2006.

BSM was DoD's largest and most successful full scale Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation to date. It was hailed as the model for other such DoD efforts and served as the key enabler as DLA extended the enterprise to offer additional on-scene support to customers worldwide.

Read more about Mr. Falvey's accomplishments.

Maj. Gen. Mark Johnson’s lasting contributions and dedicated service during his leadership of DLA Aviation and DLA Logistics Operations are more than deserving of this recognition.

Maj. Gen. Johnson commanded DLA Aviation, where he spearheaded a significant increase in material availability. He returned to the Agency as the Director of Logistics Operations, revolutionizing the Agency’s operations by transforming the Agency Synchronization Operations Center and leading the development of the DLA Readiness Dashboard.

Read more about Maj. Gen. Johnson's accomplishments.

Mr. John A. Kurtz distinguished himself through unsurpassed and noticeably distinguished service as the Director, DLA Distribution Finance at DLA New Cumberland, Pennsylvania from June 2006 through March 2016. His accomplishments were indicative of his sense of selfless service, focus on people, and the mission.

Mr. Kurtz's analysis; guidance, and vision assisted DLA Distribution to become a world-class organization. He was the driving force behind DLA Distribution's financial transformation, and had an innate ability to identify future needs, plan and implement new concepts, gamer the full support of both his staff and higher management, and empower his workforce for fluid implementation and maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

His strong leadership was instrumental in the success of his staff and the achievement of each individual's goals and objectives. His outstanding dedication resulted in greater efficiency and higher standards of service for DLA Distribution, the Agency, and the customers supported. Mr. Kurtz's dedication to the organization's mission and its employees reflects great credit upon himself, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Mr. Kurtz's accomplishments.

Mr. Edward "Ted" Case served DLA with distinction for 26 years. During his career, he rose to the highest levels of civilian leadership while driving some of the most significant changes in this agency's history. After arriving at DLA in 1992 as a Navy Commander, Mr. Case led several special projects, including establishing the Defense Procurement Corporate Information Management Systems Center and the Paperless Contracting Integrated Product Team. He continued to serve at DLA as a civilian upon his retirement from the Navy in 2001. As Deputy Chief Information Officer, the Information Operations (J6) team replaced the Agency's 40-year-old legacy IT supply system and transformed its business support processes with the Business Systems Modernization - Enterprise Resources Program, a 7-year project. He also drove efforts in cyber security; eProcurement; integration of IT operations across the agency; J6 budgeting and staffing; special projects with the Defense Information Systems Agency and Office of the Secretary of Defense; and much more.

In 2010, Mr. Case became DLA Chief Information Officer and then elevated to DLA Vice Director in 2012. As Vice Director, Mr. Case led some of DLA's most complex, wide-reaching, and impactful initiatives, including the $13.lB "Big Ideas" Business Process Improvement Initiative, Audit Advancement, and the growth of DLA's Whole of Government Disaster Relief efforts. His steady hand and deep knowledge of technology, logistics, procurement, and finance greatly impacted the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Defense

Read more about Mr. Case's accomplishments.

Ms. Kathryn M. Fantasia distinguished herself through her outstanding contributions to DLA as a leader and consummate procurement professional during her 23 years of service. As the Director of Direct Delivery Fuels, DLA Energy, her innovative approach during war and national emergencies was critical to standardizing contract award procedures by streamlining and reducing the time to award contracts, saving taxpayers' money. Ms. Fantasia provided unparalleled support to DoD and federal civilian agency customers worldwide, ranging from uninterrupted fuel support to the warfighter in Iraq and Afghanistan to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support to FEMA for hurricane fuel-related requirements.

She exhibited sound judgment and the utmost integrity and conveyed a positive approach in all she did. She accomplished her duties with outstanding loyalty and never hesitated to go the extra mile to support the warfighter. Her ability to rise and meet any challenge served as an inspiration to all DLA Energy employees. Ms. Fantasia’s accomplishments reflect great credit upon herself, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Ms. Fantasia's accomplishments.

Mr. Keith R. Ford's induction into the Defense Logistics Agency Hall of Fame reflects his outstanding mission support from 1981 through 2016. Mr. Ford began his federal career in as a GS-5 contract specialist, working his way up the ranks before retiring as the Deputy Director of the Clothing and Textiles supply chain. He led a staff of 338 professionals through unprecedented changes in uniform requirements. He was known as the "Father of Prime Vendor" in Subsistence, overseeing the roll-out of a program that is still in existence 20 years later. Mr. Ford's leadership style was one of trust in his people to do the right thing and keep him advised of the decisions made.

Mr. Ford's consistent dedication, commitment, loyalty, vision, and willingness to dig beneath the surface for solutions indisputably characterized him as a superior leader and individual. As a result of his exceptional professional credentials, outstanding performance, and commitment to warfighter support, Mr. Ford has left a lasting impression on not just DLA Troop Support but the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Mr. Ford's accomplishments.

Ms. Janet C. Hoffheins served with great dedication and leadership from 2009 to 2016 as Administrator, DLA Human Resources Services bringing the organization to its maturity as the service provider of choice for the Fourth Estate. She served as a role model for the modern Human Resources professional with a vision of a Human Resources workforce of the future. She led the development of a comprehensive onboarding program for all new DLA new employees, regardless of geographic location, organization, job series, or grade. The initiative referred to as DLA Enterprise Newcomers Getting a Global Entrance (ENGAGE) has become an essential program for promoting the Agency’s employee culture and model of efficiency.

Her experience within Human Resources continues to have a lasting impact on the mission of the Agency and DLA Human Resources. Ms. Hoffheins’ commitment and leadership to the Human Resources mission and successful oversight of DLA Human Resources Services reflect great credit upon herself, DLA Human Resources, Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Ms. Hoffheins' accomplishments.

Mr. Benjamin G. (Gil) Perkins served the Defense Logistics Agency for more than 34 years, culminating his career as DLA Aviation Chief Counsel. Mr. Perkins joined DLA in 1981 as a part-time law clerk in the Office of Counsel, Defense General Supply Center. During his tenure at DLA Aviation, Mr. Perkins represented the agency in a significant number of protests before the Government Accountability Office and contract disputes before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. When Mr. Perkins became DLA Aviation Chief Counsel in 2006, he successfully adapted the office of Counsel to the mission changes mandated by the BRAC 2005. Mr. Perkins ensured that legal support to the new mission was seamless, and that the new attorneys, though geographically separated, performed as a single, high functioning team.

Mr. Perkins further distinguished himself by contributing to management initiatives above and beyond his role as Chief Counsel for DLA Aviation. He was at the forefront of DLA's first efforts to improve climate and culture, serving as a DLA culture champion. He also assumed a leadership role in planning and conducting the Office of General Counsel's annual Continuing Legal Education Seminar. Mr. Perkin' achievements reflect great credit upon himself, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense

Read more about Mr. Perkins' accomplishments.

Ms. Janet Price’s 30-year career began as a contract specialist in 1985 at the Defense General Supply Center. As the Director, Procurement Process Support, Ms. Price initiated innovative changes and sustained extraordinary accomplishments related to DLA’s ability to support 3 million stock numbers and over 1,800 weapons systems with consumable parts. She led the implementation of a new Enterprise Business Management System for DLA to ensure the inclusion of the additional missions DLA gained under BRAC 2005 were included in the new business model. In addition, Ms. Price led another DLA-wide effort to reduce acquisition lead time and lean out purchasing processes for consumable supply parts. This initiative, commonly referred to as Time-to-Award, required significant leadership abilities and the ability to focus on specific areas for improvement in a highly complex environment.

She created a new benchmark within DLA Aviation for customer service, new business, procurement processes, providing retail support, reducing supply chain risk, and contributing to a more productive and focused workforce. Ms. Price's achievements reflect great credit upon herself, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Ms. Price's accomplishments.

Ms. Denise Canada's 34-year DLA career is highlighted by a humble and highly successful rise in ranks from a GS-2 Supply Clerk to the senior GS-14 Technical/Quality Advisor. Ms. Canada personified the core values of DLA; honesty, integrity, character, and selflessness. She garnered great respect both internally and across the Enterprise and was described as deeply caring, innovative, and trail-blazing.

She made a measurable impact on the Time-to-Award Initiative in significantly reducing Technical Blocks to historical lows and advancing a more efficient procurement process. She established Technical Quality Seminars, which still today serve as a consequential training, information-sharing, and cross-process awareness wellspring for the entire Acquisition and Technical/Quality community.

Ms. Canada's intelligence, creativity, resilience, and commitment to excellence complement the stellar community of past recipients and make her highly deserving of the honor and opportunity bestowed by the Defense Logistics Agency Hall of Fame Award. All of Ms. Canada's achievements reflect great credit upon herself, the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Directorate, and the Defense Logistics Agency.

Read more about Ms. Canada's accomplishments.

View Ms. Canada's segment of the 2021 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Mr. Christos Cosfol is being inducted into the Defense Logistics Agency Hall of Fame class of 2021 for his outstanding mission support from 1977 through 2014. Mr. Cosfol began his federal career in 1977 as a GS-03 student trainee under a work study program with Drexel University and worked his way up the ranks before retiring as the deputy director of Procurement Process Support.

Mr. Cosfol was a leader, role model, technical expert and visionary who guided DLA Troop Support through the ever-changing world of acquisition. He provided strategic oversight of commodity support on the most complex acquisitions within DLA including prime vendor acquisitions and multiple award contracts. Leaders from all five Troop Support supply chains consulted with him regularly to map out acquisition strategies and techniques.

Throughout his career Mr. Cosfol was instrumental in implementing several procurement systems from the DLA Pre-Award Contracting System to E-Procurement, which is still in use today. Mr. Cosfol led a team of DLA Troop Support buyers and business process analysts who spent nearly seven years designing, building, testing and ultimately rolling out this enterprise-wide acquisition system. He also applied his knowledge of contracting and automation to spearhead DLA Troop Support's Time to Award Initiative. His guidance in the planning and execution of policy for TTA resulted in the organization's ability to award contracts 65 percent faster at all levels, and saves the workforce thousands of work hours.

Mr. Cosfol mastered the delicate balance of being innovative and goal oriented while achieving stellar support to warfighters, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and responsibly. The far-reaching effects of his efforts leave a legacy that ensures the future of DLA is even brighter than ever. In recognition of these notable achievements, it is an honor to induct Mr. Christos Cosfol into the Defense Logistics Agency's Hall of Fame.

Read more about Mr. Cosfol's accomplishments.

View Mr. Cosfol's segment of the 2021 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Mr. Thomas Legeret is a deserving selectee to the Defense Logistics Agency Hall of Fame.  During his superb 32-year career with DLA, Tom started as a Property Marketing Specialist, GS-5, in 1980 and rose to the position of DLA Disposition Services Director of Disposl Operations, GS-15, retiring in May 2012.

He drove major innovations, such as Joint Venture/Commercial Venture sales; establishment of the Controlled Property Verification Office; transfer of function of the Law Enforcement Support Office; support to numerous natural disasters; and standing up the consolidated Long Term Storage for DLA Disposition Services at Columbus.

Mr. Legeret has proven to be a dedicated leader who has helped move DLA Disposition Services forward to support the warfighter and to provide innovative disposal solutions for the future. The accomplishments of Mr. Legeret reflect greatly upon himself, DLA Disposition Services, Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Defense.  It is in that spirit that we gladly welcome him into this year’s DLA Hall of Fame class.

Read more about Mr. Legret's accomplishments.

View Mr. Legret's segment of the 2021 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony.

James M. McClaugherty distinguished himself by immense Logistics knowledge and experience coupled with enlightened leadership skills central to DLA Land and Maritime's outstanding support to America's warfighters. His energy and leadership were responsible for his Command's achieving impressive cost and inventory reductions, supporting the DLA Director's efficiency goals.

Mr. McClaugherty spearheaded the agency-wide program to sustain the Secretary of Defense's number one weapon system priority - the family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles resulting in unparalleled logistics support saving countless lives of American and Allied warfighters. A recognized expert in the areas of Organizational Culture and Leadership, Mr. McClaugherty shepherded the DLA Land and Maritime workforce through tumultuous periods of transformation and stress while strengthening workplace culture and improving customer satisfaction measures.

His contributions to the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency, and DLA Land and Maritime's mission success have been significant and enduring. Mr. McClaugherty's singularly distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the highest standards of federal service, and reflect great credit upon himself, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Mr. McClaugherty's accomplishments.

View Mr. McClaugherty's segment of the 2021 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony.

Mr. Stephen T. Sherman is brought effortlessly to the forefront of like-minded and distinguished DLA leaders through his application of leadership, talent, and his unfailing support to the American warfighters. As Director, Document Services, for the Defense Logistics Agency's Information Operations, Mr. Sherman's exceptional efforts have delivered enormous savings through transformation and efficiency of documents used to support warfighter operations and institutional support of the Department of Defense's overall mission.

Throughout his career, Mr. Sherman has developed strategies and technologies that have reduced infrastructure, accelerated access to critical information, and created shared services to benefit all DoD components. Under his leadership, over 1 billion annual hardcopies have been eliminated, a clear cost avoidance for DLA and its customers. Mr. Sherman's vision and strategy in delivering efficient and economical document services support across all DoD components have resulted in significant successes during the past decade and delivered over $500 million in savings to the DoD through various programs and initiatives.

His accomplishments throughout his DLA career (1979-2018) have greatly served the DoD, DLA and its predecessors, and all Document Services (now known as Data Management Services) personnel. For these accomplishments, Mr. Sherman has earned a place in the DLA Hall of Fame.

Read more about Mr. Sherman's accomplishments.

View Mr. Sherman's segment of the 2021 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony.

Lieutenant General Donald M. Babers is recognized for his dedication to quality while leading the agency through a pivotal time in Department of Defense history. Becoming the director soon after business in the materiel management and contract administration sectors had doubled, he addressed problems resulting from rapid growth. By empowering subordinates and introducing DLA to the telecommunications age, he solidified the agency’s reputation as a major player in the Defense Department. By authoring the agency’s first strategic plan, he set DLA on a path of future success.

Babers worked with the military services to address poor item identification and other Department of Defense-wide logistics issues. He renamed the Defense Property Disposal Service so that it would be less likely tagged with unfavorable press. To assist a workforce that was growing slower than the agency’s growth in business, he focused on core objectives and eliminated work that did not advance the mission.

Babers’ advocacy helped DLA not only survive the Goldwater-Nichols Act, but gain it. Much of DLA’s success today is the consequence of actions he took as director.

Read more about Lt. Gen. Baber's accomplishments.

View Lt Gen Baber's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch completed three assignments at DLA spanning a period of nearly two decades. Each assignment was marked by an inflection point in the agency’s history where his steadfast leadership and unmatched skill in leading large organizations through change resulted in DLA improving support to the joint logistics enterprise. As the DLA director, he will best be remembered for reaffirming the agency’s commitment to the nuclear enterprise, reorienting DLA’s to better align support for the Combatant Commands, championing a culture of continuous process improvement, and an enduring commitment to the resiliency and wellbeing of DLA’s people and culture. Many of General Busch’s successes at DLA serve as the blueprint for the outstanding support DLA provides to the warfighter today.

Read more about Lt. Gen. Busch's accomplishments.

View Lt. Gen. Busch's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Milton K. Lewis retired from DLA Land and Maritime in 2017, having served in a Senior Executive Service capacity since 2008 as the organization’s first Acquisition Executive. The entirety of Lewis’ 42-year career was spent in support of the Department of Defense, beginning with a distinguished 29 years in the United States Army, and including several years in a key position with the defense industry.

The breadth of Lewis’ defense industry experience and knowledge, along with an exemplary learning history, did well to inform his success, from tactical applications across the spectrum to leadership. He left DLA Land and Maritime with a legacy of acquisition excellence, strategic warfighter support, and meaningful collaboration.

Read more about Milton Lewis' accomplishments.

View Milton Lewis's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

For three decades, Paul Mank was a consummate professional, whose advice, counsel, and expertise was sought and relied upon by the senior leaders at DLA Disposition Services. He started his career in the intern program and rose to the ranks of the Acting Deputy Director of DLA Disposition Services. Throughout his career, he was known as a resolute advocate for his employees, peers, and leaders and a highly valued member of the organization.

A model of integrity with broad expertise and sound judgment, he assisted senior leadership through his field service, environmental service, information management, and operations service governing federal surplus property management and sales. He consistently earned praise and appreciation for his innovative and analytical approach to solving disposal issues and on his ability to effortlessly work across the DoD enterprise and with external civilian agencies.

Mank’s efforts contributed significantly to the success of DLA Disposition Services in supporting America’s Warfighters and reflect great credit upon himself, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Paul Mank's accomplishments.

View Paul Mank's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Mason was Commander of Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, now DLA Troop Support, from September 2003 to September 2005. Under Mason’s leadership, DLA Troop Support achieved unprecedented levels of performance. As a direct result of his keen business acumen and leadership skills, fiscal year 2004 sales increased by over $1.85 billion to an all-time high of over $12 billion.

While these efforts were monumental, he accomplished this feat while reducing the cost recovery rate to an all-time low and decreasing logistics response times by over 50 percent. Whether providing armor protection and food to our combat forces or rapidly deploying urgent medical supplies in support of hurricane relief efforts, the one constant was his unparalleled commitment and dedication to supporting the warfighter.

Mason is an exceptional leader and officer who accomplished all this while simultaneously leading the agency through the largest transformation initiative within the Department of Defense: the Business Systems Modernization program. Through his efforts, this program reshaped the way business is performed within the Department of Defense

Read more about Lt. Gen. Mason's accomplishments.

View Lt. Gen. Mason's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Sandra M. Miller is recognized for her exemplary performance in the DLA Equal Employment Opportunity office as the Equal Employment Manager and in DLA Human Resources as the Staff Director for the Human Capital Program Development office.

Miller demonstrated leadership, creativity and innovation by developing the first ever DLA Handbook on the EEO Complaints Process. In addition, her leadership and “can do” attitude led to the development and implementation of the DLA Strategic Workforce Planning, DLA Culture Program, DLA Corporate Recruitment Program, and the DLA Enterprise Leader Development Program which are key Enterprise Human Capital Programs that remain in existence today. The distinctive accomplishments of Miller reflect on her contribution to the training, education, and development of the DLA workforce and is a great credit upon herself and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Sandra Miller's accomplishments.

View Sandra Miller's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Throughout his distinguished 35 years with the agency, Anthony Poleo was an immensely effective and positive change agent, both within and outside of his organization. Under his leadership, DLA never lacked the resources needed to execute its warfighter support and humanitarian assistance missions.

Under Poleo’s stewardship, the DLA Finance organization was a high performing, ethically grounded operation. As the Chief Financial Officer for DLA, his position directly impacted the department's ability to produce auditable financial statements, a top priority for the department and the Congress.

Serving as the Defense-Wide Working Capital Fund Cash Manager with responsibility for maintaining the cash resources of three Defense Agencies, Poleo’s exceptional management of the DWWCF was remarkable during his tenure and set the benchmark for future DWWCF Cash Managers. These distinctive accomplishments reflects great credit upon himself and the Defense Logistics Agency

Read more about Anthony Poleo's accomplishments.

View Anthony Poleo's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Walter Thomas, Jr., distinguished himself as an invaluable member of the DLA Office of General Counsel, providing exceptional and meaningful contributions to the agency and the Department of Defense.

From the start of his career in 1977, Thomas was a dedicated, skilled, and highly-motivated attorney who was consistently sought out by his clients for his thoughtful and deliberate legal advice and counsel. He was an extremely effective legal advisor and advocate in dealing with senior officials both inside and outside the agency, showing exceptional mission focus and unmatched policy astuteness, tact and diplomacy.

He served as an integral, collaborative, and highly valued member of the DLA General Counsel senior leadership team. Recognized as a trusted, results-oriented legal advisor, advocate and strategist, Thomas' extraordinary sustained accomplishments helped transform DLA into an organization that is able to adapt to support a wide-ranging array of missions of great significance to the department and nation. Thomas' tireless efforts for decades reflect great credit upon himself, DLA and the Department of Defense.

Read more about Walter Thomas' accomplishments.

View Walter Thomas' segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

Susan VanMeter retired from the DLA Information Operations, at DLA Land and Maritime, in 2018 as the Portfolio Manager for the Enterprise Business System.

In 2006, Ms. VanMeter was named as the Site Director of Information Operations at Columbus and also became responsible for all IT support for the DLA Columbus campus, including laptop/desktop support, Local Area Network, Audio Visual support, Blackberries and printing services. She also served as systems manager for the majority of DLA’s Human Resource applications, with responsibility for incorporating major and minor enhancements to those systems as well as maintaining daily operations of them.

Read more about Susan VanMeter's accomplishments.

View Susan VanMeter's segment of the 2020 DLA Hall of Fame ceremony video.

During a 33-year career with the Department of Defense, Lora Conrad rose from a GS-5 secretary to serve as Deputy Executive Director for Materiel Policy, Process & Assessment; an assignment in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; and DLA's senior Information Technology Program Manager. Ms. Conrad was a key leader in initiatives that modernized the Agency's processes and drove efficiencies through innovative technology solutions. She developed Agency-wide business requirements for the Enterprise Business System, Business Intelligence Application; led the Office of the Secretary of Defense and joint Military Service teams that implemented solutions to reduce the $99 billion in inventory; and implemented plans to improve asset tracking and visibility through the use of automatic identification technologies such as Item Unique Identification and Radio Frequency Identification. Throughout her career, Ms. Conrad was repeatedly selected for demanding projects of expanding responsibility by DLA leaders, and her accomplishments reflect a lifetime of dedication to DLA and its customers.

Read more about Ms. Conrad's accomplishments.

Navy Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek is recognized as one of DLA’s most progressive leaders and forged that reputation through strong relationships with strategic industry partners, warfighting commanders, interagency leaders, ambassadors and coalition partners worldwide. Admiral Harnitchek was an extraordinary proponent of employee wellness programs and executive development opportunities for all GS levels. His tenure was marked as one of the busiest in our nation’s military history. His legacy as one of the U.S. Navy’s premier logisticians is indicative of his agile leadership, which positioned DLA as the nation’s premier Combat Logistics Support Agency, highly respected and always ready to sustain forces anywhere in the world.

Read more about Vice Adm. Harnitchek's accomplishments.

Army Maj. Gen. Michael J. Lally distinguished himself through unsurpassed and exceptionally dedicated service as the commander of DLA Distribution from August 2004 to August 2006. During this period, Maj. Gen. Lally’s leadership resulted in significant contributions to Department of Defense logistics and to the readiness of the armed forces of the United States. Investments in technology, concurrently introduced with training standardization for Distribution Process Workers and leadership training for supervisors, led to enormous strides in performance across the network. DLA Distribution provided extraordinary support to deployed warfighters in the Global War on Terror and to our own citizens in domestic disaster relief efforts. Under his command, DLA Distribution established four new distribution centers, a Theater Consolidation and Shipping Point, and an expeditionary distribution capability, bringing DLA Distribution closer to its customers than ever before. Maj. Gen. Lally’s pioneering and transformative approach led DLA Distribution to its best performance metrics and cultural index statistics that had been recorded up to that time.

Read more about Maj. Gen. Lally's accomplishments.

Dorothy Jean Lohr distinguished herself through exceptionally meritorious service during her time at the Defense General Supply Center, now DLA Aviation Richmond. With a career spanning over 40 years, Ms. Lohr consistently led the implementation of innovative acquisition procedures and forged the way for acquisition reform at DLA Aviation and throughout DLA. Ms. Lohr was a leader in DLA Aviation’s journey from carbon paper, to IBM “punch cards,” to fully automated acquisitions. Ms. Lohr mentored countless of employees, including training over 45 acquisition policy analysts; many of these individuals worked in areas outside of policy, most in leadership roles, using the knowledge gained in this exchange to benefit the entire organization. As a leader in the acquisition arena, Ms. Lohr’s influence and impact reached into multiple functional areas of finance, technical, supply, depot operations. The distinctive accomplishments of Ms. Lohr reflect great credit upon herself, DLA and the Department of Defense.

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Patrick J. McCormick served with great distinction as Director of DLA Distribution Current Operations in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, from February 2008 to December 2015. The innovations implemented by Mr. McCormick enabled DLA Distribution to optimize its global distribution system, creating a significant and lasting impact on the organization and the military customers it supports. The initiatives launched under his leadership have increased logistics excellence and maximized warfighting capability and efficiency. Because of Mr. McCormick, DLA Distribution has a legacy of innovation, improvement, and dedication to quality. The outstanding leadership displayed by Mr. McCormick reflects great credit upon himself, DLA and the Department of Defense.

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Throughout her distinguished career at the DLA Energy, Ms. Sharon L. Murphy demonstrated superior innovation in her acquisition programs, forging strong partnerships with customers and suppliers in pursuit of achieving cost-effective programs. Ms. Murphy was instrumental in expanding DLA Energy’s mission to include non-petroleum energy programs. As a respected leader and mentor of the DLA Energy acquisition community, she has been recognized by all levels of the agency, the Department of Defense and received recognition from the White House. Her mentorship has had a positive and lasting impact on today’s DLA Energy workforce. Her many achievements and recognition coupled with her successful oversight of innovative projects have brought great credit to herself, DLA and the Department of Defense.

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In May 1974, Lillie Mae Brown filed an EEO complaint alleging discrimination based on gender, not knowing that she would be thrust into the forefront of what would become a historic Class Action EEO complaint against the Defense General Supply Center, now DLA Aviation Richmond. Her action resulted in the opportunity for all women and black males at DLA Aviation to gain and ensure equal employment opportunity for generations to come.

As part of the settlement, there were numerous changes in hiring, training, awards and promotions with the goal of bringing DLA Aviation Richmond into full compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972. Many sit where they are today because of her strength, courage and resolve to end discrimination in the workplace.

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Donna L. Davis served DLA for 32 years, with a career that spanned across nearly every facet ofDLA's operations, from strategic planning and contingency operations to contract management and research & development. She held key leadership positions in DLA Logistics Operations' Business Systems Modernization Office during a crucial time, as the agency transitioned its operations to the Enterprise Business System. Her contributions ensured DLA's seamless transition to an Enterprise Resource Planning platform. As part of DLA's Audit Readiness effort, she was responsible for ensuring two key business processes - Order Fulfillment and Inventory Management - were fiscally compliant and certified for an independent audit by the aggressive deadline of September 2015, laying the foundation for increased fiscal transparency.

Throughout her career, Ms. Davis held key roles in the modernization initiatives that transformed DLA, better posturing the agency for the future.

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Retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert C. Gaskill distinguished himself through 29 years of distinguished service, culminating his active duty service in 1981 as the deputy director of the newly transformed Defense Logistics Agency. As the agency underwent growing pains, Maj. Gen. Gaskill had the exceptional executive leadership skills and technical logistics acumen to meet the challenges of a rapidly transforming agency. He joined the agency at a time when the term “Zero Defects” was at a very high point; the nation was recovering from the Vietnam War, there was an abundance of excess repair parts and other supplies, and the agency was quickly adapting as the services transferred essential missions to DLA.

Under his tenure, DLA was also expanding its reach in support of the European theater and the rapid employment of US Forces to support operations under the “Airland Battle” concept if war broke out in the European theater. His experienced helped DLA remain relevant and engaged that ultimately led to the eventual success in avoiding a major conflict.

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Larry Glasco joined DLA as the Executive Director for Customer Operations and then, upon the establishment of the Readiness and Operations directorate in 2003, became the first executive director to lead that organization. He excelled, and when those two organizations merged, he was selected as the Deputy Director of Logistics Operations and Readiness in 2006.

He was the catalyst behind the implementation and institutionalization of Customer Relationship Management, helping move the agency from its older, internal-looking perspectives to a new, customer-focused approach that still guides the agency today. He also helped lead the combat logistics support mission readiness for Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom at a critical time, as DLA experienced record high demand for its supplies and services, as well as supported Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita disaster relief efforts with USNORTHCOM and FEMA. Mr. Glasco's work also extended to the integration of Performance Based Agreements with DLA's military service customers, along with oversight of the agency's execution of 2005 Base Realignment and Closure recommendations.

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While serving as commander of DLA Troop Support's legacy organization, the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, from July 2008 through October 2009, Army Gen. Gustave F. Perna made numerous significant contributions that continue to enhance the nation's military readiness and DLA's reputation as the combatant commander's logistics provider of choice. He was directly responsible for managing the end-to-end DSCP supply chain requirements and worldwide operational procurement of critical subsistence, clothing and textiles, construction and equipment, and medical materiel. His emphasis on "100 percent of people doing 100 percent of the work" and monthly reviews of purchase requests and unfilled orders resulted in a 22 percent decrease in purchase requests on hand and a 10 percent decrease in customer unfilled orders. spearheaded the forward push of Class IV construction items into Afghanistan six months ahead of the actual troop surge into country. His strategic thinking and proactive actions ensured over 3,700 containers of basic building materials were moved into Afghanistan a month ahead of the combatant commander's need date.

Also, recognizing the important role that civil servants play in supporting the warfighter, he institutionalized the Civilian Employee Retirement Ceremony. Modeled after the military retirement ceremony, the event paid tribute to retiring civilians for their many years of federal service and their numerous contributions to our nation, and is an enduring reminder the importance he placed on his workforce.

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Lieutenant General Kathleen Gainey distinguished herself through unsurpassed and noticeably distinguished service as the commander of the DLA Distribution from August 2002 to August 2004. During Lt. Gen. Gainey's tour, she solidified DLA Distribution as the distribution proponent for the Department of Defense and transformed Distribution into an efficient and effective logistics foundation for the Combatant Commanders and military services, and established new standards for performance and direct support to the warfighter during a period of national emergency. Under her leadership, DLA Distribution provided unprecedented, "world-class" materiel distribution support to the customer, both at home and abroad, in support of the War on Terror. The initiatives spearheaded by Lt. Gen. Gainey facilitated DLA Distribution to move unprecedented amounts of materiel and supplies, with ever increasing levels of velocity, visibility, value and efficiency, despite tremendous challenges in time, distance, resources and budget. As commander of the Department of Defenses' Executive Agent for Materiel Distribution workforce, her ability to balance customer service, materiel availability, cost, employee readiness, and sustainability ensured the DLA Distribution would continue to provide the finest in dedicated support to the warfighter.

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Ms. Deborah Greger was a true champion for embracing new ideas and innovation in solving problems or improving processes with the goal of delivering the best service possible to the warfighter. When she became the Director of Logistics Information Services, the first female and civilian to serve in this role, she brought that same level of commitment to all programs, products, and services provided across the organization. Having a more broad based view and commitment to sound business practices, she quickly assessed that there were redundancies and/or overlaps in products and services. Her first objective was to set the vision of moving towards a portfolio management concept that resulted in reduction of systems and further decreased resources, resulting in cost savings. Her outstanding commitment to customer service, resource stewardship, and professionalism has enabled her to succeed at each stage of her career, to serve as a role model to future leaders, and to ensure Logistics Information Services and DLA provides dedicated support to the warfighter.

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Mr. Donald Peschka served for 41 years of dedicated service to our nation in both the USAF for 21 years and at DLA as a DoD federal civil servant for an additional 20 years. Mr. Peschka held leadership positions throughout DLA Energy for a total of 26 years, five of which was on active duty. His contributions to the agency acquisition workforce are still in effect today in the structure of the DLA Energy support to the Combatant Commands across the globe. Throughout the various key leadership positions held at DLA Energy, Don Peschka forged long lasting relationships with industry and key strategic suppliers and built high performing multi-functional acquisition teams. He was instrumental in the resourceful structural realignment of the Defense Fuel Regions, expand the agency's mission to incorporate the quality assurance mission, and lead a team to build the DLA Energy International Agreements Office.

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Ms. Mary Studevant has served the Department of Defense in a career spanning more than 30 years. During her career, she distinguished herself at the Defense Supply Center Richmond, now known as DLA Aviation. As DSCR Executive Chief of Staff and Deputy Director of Support Services (now DLA Installation Support), Ms. Studevant’s transformative leadership style lead to improved policy direction, planning, technical advising, managing, programming and budgeting within all installation command offices. She demonstrated extraordinary competency, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership and creativity during the design and development of the Strategic Management System for the enterprise, developing the agency’s first Balanced Scorecard. Her efforts of procuring training, and developing the methodology for public sector use at DSCR created the Balanced Scorecard Executive Team. She implemented the first DLA Contracting Intern Program at DSCR. Ms. Studevant developed a plan which implemented the Total Quality Management philosophies and Continuous Process Improvement concepts at DSCR and the Defense Distribution Richmond, Virginia. She is a leader, mentor, community partner and professional.

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Mr. Larry Wilson's public service spanned 37 years in various congressional and Department of Defense positions, 20 of those years with DLA. His distinguished career culminated in his appointment to the federal senior executive service with DLA Information Operations. To this day, his numerous significant contributions and improvements to DLA's mission serve as the foundation for best in class processes in practice across the agency. His work in DLA's technical infrastructure made it possible for DLA to succeed in what has been cited as the largest ERP implementation in the world, and most certainly the largest in DoD. Mr. Wilson went on to consolidate and normalize DLA IT operations under a single service organization, allowing us to standardize equipment and processes, saving millions of dollars and vastly improving the quality of IT services to DLA and DoD customers around the globe. These are just a few examples of the tremendous benefit that Mr. Wilson delivered for the Department during his tenure at DLA.

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Ms. Celia F. Adolphi, is recognized for her tireless service and exceptional outstanding performance of her duties as Deputy Director, Joint Reserve Force, Defense Logistics Agency from February 9, 2003 to April 30, 2011. Her selfless dedication and extraordinary professionalism as Deputy and as a key member of the executive leadership team contributed significantly to the Agency’s success and Joint Reserve Force execution of Warfighter Support. Through her caring yet unwavering daily leadership, she fostered an unrelenting commitment among Reservists to deploy forward in support of the Agency’s mission, with over 900 Deployment Tours completed during her tenure. This represented a $65M value to DLA. Her pioneering accomplishment of being the first woman to be promoted to Brigadier Officer in the US Army Quartermaster Corps and the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Major General in US Army history, paving the way and opening doors for many distinguished officers to follow. Ms. Adolphi’s distinctive and exceptional work culminated a career of more than 32 years of dedicated service to her country Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

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Ms. Krissie K. Davis distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious service as Property Disposal Specialist, Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services, Bagram Air Field, DLA Support Team-Afghanistan, from May 2 to June 8, 2015, in support of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. Ms. Davis worked tirelessly to provide critical support to the Warfighter and the Afghanistan National Army, where she performed demilitarization, sales and receipt activities. Ms. Davis died from her injuries in the line of duty when her vehicle was struck by an enemy rocket attack. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Ms. Davis were in keeping with the highest standards of federal service, and reflect great credit upon herself, the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Defense.

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Mr. David C. Ennis distinguished himself by exceptionally superior service as Deputy Commander, Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin, California, from June 1998 through May 2001. During this period, the outstanding leadership and ceaseless efforts on behalf of the depot employees and the soldiers in the field resulted in unprecedented success. Shortly he arrived at Defense Depot Tracy, California in 1967 he had aspirations of becoming the top civilian at the Defense Logistics Agency depot. However, he never dreamed his picture would be hanging in the succession of military commanders of the depot. During his 39-year DLA career he went from a heavy duty laborer to DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California Director, the only civilian to ever achieve the distinction. He demonstrated initiative and vision, which prepared DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California to succeed during a time of revolutionary change in the distribution arena. He truly exemplifies the best qualities of a senior civilian and brought the highest level of personal integrity, honesty, and dedication to an organization challenged by continual change. His distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California and Defense Logistics Agency.

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Mr. Kent Galbraith is cited for exceptional Government service with special emphasis during the period October 1992 to September 2004 while assigned as Director of the DLA System Design Center West (DSDC-W) Ogden, Utah. Mr. Galbraith was responsible for the design and implementation of the Distribution Standard System (DSS) across the world as part of the Defense Management Review Decision (DMRD) 902 (Consolidation of Defense Supply Depots) initiatives. This effort consisted of developing a standard distribution and warehousing system that could replace several existing service unique systems saving hundreds of millions of dollars and creating several efficiencies throughout the DLA and DoD distribution network. During the period of time covered with this nomination, Mr. Galbraith provided outstanding leadership that allowed his staff to successfully develop and rollout DSS to the five original DLA sites, six former Army sites, three former Air Force sites, and eight former Navy sites. Under Mr. Galbraith’s direct leadership, the DSS Implementation Team was awarded the Federal Scissors and Hammer Award as part of Vice President Al Gore’s Reinventing Government program. After the successful rollout of DSS, Mr. Galbraith led efforts to make DSS and other DSDC-W systems Y2K compliant. He also led efforts to transition the DSS support to a repeatable software release schedule. His contributions in support of the DLA mission and commitment to excellence in software development will live on for many years. 

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Ms. Paula Kluczynski is a deserving selectee for the Defense Logistics Agency Hall of Fame. During her exceptional 35-year career of outstanding service to the Defense Logistics Agency and the warfighter, Ms. Kluczynski was exemplary in all facets of her many and varied assignments, particularly demonstrating remarkable performance. In April 2004, she aggressively developed a robust and highly innovative program to address the competency gaps to develop and prepare DLA leaders for the 21st century. The ELDP Level 3 Program for New Supervisors continues to be recognized as an industry best practice. Throughout her journey, she maintained the highest degree of loyalty and professionalism, setting a positive example of achievement that has been inspirational to coworkers, subordinates, and industry partners alike. Ms. Kluczynski’s support did not end with retirement as she continued her role in partnering with her co-workers to provide insight to strategy, mentoring, advice, and guidance to the ELDP team until her passing in February 2015. Her selfless commitment to the mission and success of the ELDP Program and her many agency accomplishments reflect great credit upon herself and her value to DLA Human Resources and the Defense Logistics Agency.

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During his first DLA role as Commander of then-Defense Supply Center Columbus ending in 2003, and later as DLA’s Director from November 2008-November 2011, Vice Admiral Thompson epitomized mission achievement and strategic planning leadership in times of significant logistics support and cost efficiency challenges. He drove major improvements at Columbus in materiel availability while reducing costs and won the Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award. As DLA Director he focused on warfighter support enhancements, stewardship excellence and workforce development, achieving exceptional results in near-term effectiveness and efficiency while positioning DLA and its personnel to best serve DoD’s future needs. Record materiel availability rates, improvements in depot maintenance support, fulfillment of unprecedented forward requirements for CENTCOM, and innovative Humanitarian relief efforts resulted in the Agency’s receipt of the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He also led a major impact on DoD supply chain management planning via Secretary Gates’ Efficiencies initiative and critical joint supply and distribution policy reviews. His pro-active leadership, strategic vision, hands-on engagement and collaborative emphasis provided a superb legacy. The Agency continues to build on his many contributions while he personally still serves the DLA team through the DLA Foundation.

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Paul Zebrowski is inducted into the Defense Logistics Agency Hall of Fame for his leadership, expertise and mission support from 1977 through 2011. Mr. Zebrowski was a brilliant logistician and is best known for his contributions to the Clothing and Textiles supply chain. He was a consummate manager who trained and mentored his team, empowering them to achieve success. He formalized problem solving methods that were so effective that many are still used today. Mr. Zebrowski assumed the position of C&T’s Deputy Director during a tumultuous time in the supply chain for the workforce and the industrial base. His confident, methodical approach to returning normalcy to the workplace enabled employees to recover and continue to provide world-class support. He also established productive relationships with C&T’s industry partners. Mr. Zebrowski received numerous awards throughout his career and was a valued source of knowledge for DLA senior leaders. He eventually led DLA Troop Support’s Procurement Process Support Directorate and concluded his career at DLA Headquarters as the Chief of Acquisition Operations.

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Mr. Stephen Byus began his tenure at DLA Land and Maritime in July 2008 as part of the Defense Supply Center Columbus Corporate Intern Program. He was selected to be a Resolution Specialist and made an immediate impact within the Resolution Specialist Community. Innovations such as the Resolution Specialist Employee Development Team, and the Resolution Specialists Newsletter, the Resolution Connection, helped revitalize the working group and improved the division’s audit readiness. In July 2014, Mr. Byus volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan as a logistics subject matter expert. Tragically, he lost his life when his convoy came under attack by a vehicle carrying improvised explosives. He is the first DLA civilian killed while deployed in support of DLA’s mission. Mr. Byus made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the Defense Logistics Agency, the Department of Defense, and our Nation, and we are all grateful.

Mr. Richard J. Connelly is a career executive with a long history of service to the Defense Logistics Agency and the Nation. His career began in 1972, as a management intern in the DLA Headquarters Budget Division. In 1986, Mr. Connelly was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. In this capacity, he served in several successive positions: DLA Comptroller; Administrator of the Defense National Stockpile Center, now DLA Strategic Materials; Director of DLA Support Services, now DLA Installation Support; and Director of the Defense Energy Support Center, now DLA Energy. As DLA Comptroller, Mr. Connelly worked tirelessly with Agency Senior Leaders, both in the Field and at Headquarters, to transition the Agency from a typical appropriated funding model to a more business-oriented financial model called the Defense Business Operations Fund, now known as the Defense Working Capital Fund. Simultaneously, Mr. Connelly implemented Unit Cost Resourcing, a more accurate method of reporting the true cost of products and services. These concepts continue to enable the Defense Logistics Agency to provide the most cost-effective service possible to the Warfighter.

As DLA Director from August 2006 to November 2008, General Dail led the Agency through a dramatic transformation, improving sustainment and support to America's warfighters, our allies, and victims of natural disasters around the world. His strategic vision, combat experience, and unrelenting mission focus, directly enhanced combat logistics support of our Nation's Warriors during Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. With inspirational leadership and unwavering determination, General Dail reengineered the Agency’s global business practices, forged strong and lasting relationships between government and industry, and championed innovative methods of measuring supply chain effectiveness. This enabled precise and timely delivery of joint logistics capability during a period of unprecedented Warfighter demand for Agency support. Through his unparalleled logistics expertise, tenacity, and continuous drive to extend the Enterprise, General Dail made significant and lasting contributions to the Defense Logistics Agency, the Department of Defense, and the Nation.

During her superb 37-year career, Ms. DeVincentis, starting as a GS-2 and rising to the ranks of the Senior Executive Service, before becoming this Agency’s first civilian Vice Director. She drove major innovations, such as Prime Vendor and the Enterprise Business System, which enhanced DLA’s awareness of and response to Warfighters’ needs, and continue to serve as cornerstones of the Agency’s business practices. Ms. DeVincentis’ support of the Agency did not end with retirement, as she founded and continues to guide the DLA Foundation and its scholarship fund for close family members of former and current Agency civilian and military employees. Ms. DeVincentis has been described as a truly indispensable asset in guiding the Agency over the past 10-plus years. It is in that spirit that we gladly welcome her into this year’s DLA Hall of Fame class.

Dr. Ivan Hall’s more than 30 years of dedicated service to the Federal Government began in 1979 with the Defense Contract Management Command and culminated in 2009 as Deputy Director of Land Supplier Operations, at Defense Supply Center Columbus. He left an enduring legacy, transforming the Center into a high-quality, innovative, and award-winning team that ultimately increased the readiness and survivability of U.S. Forces as they engaged in two major conflicts. He established models for prime vendor support contracts and lead-time-reduction processes that are still in use today. Dr. Hall’s passion for the Agency’s mission is only matched by his passion for developing people. His establishment of the Defense Supply Center Columbus Readiness Academy and countless other training initiatives revitalized DLA’s Acquisition Workforce and built leaders who continue to carry on his dedication to providing unparalleled, cost-effective support to the Warfighter.

Mr. Jeffrey Neal’s focus on internal assessment and feedback made employee surveys integral and enduring components in the assessment and improvement of the agency culture and drove the establishment of leader training programs that are recognized as “best practices” for federal employers. He transformed a struggling HR program into an award-winning, customer-focused operation. Leading a staff of more than 600 employees with an annual budget of $80 million, he developed and executed a comprehensive human resources program. In his nine years at DLA, he dramatically improved the quality of service, reduced the cost of operations by 28 percent and established a highly effective workers compensation center that reduced costs by more than $8 million annually and delivered substantial improvements in service levels. Mr. Neal centralized the DLA Human Resources Operations Center and the six DLA Human Resources Offices into the DLA Human Resources Center (now called DLA Human Resources Services.) The role of DLA Training was expanded from its traditional schoolhouse function to encompass full service Workforce Development and Career Program Management functions, including management of the agency’s new corporate intern training program. Mr. Neal played a key role as DLA introduced its first complete Enterprise Resource Planning solution through the Business Systems Modernization Program, which replaced antiquated technology and processes. Under Mr. Neal’s leadership, DLA Human Resources developed and implemented the conversion of paper files to electronic personnel folders in an application that was selected as the DoD standard personnel file system. He was also responsible for bringing a state-of-the-art learning management system to DLA Training. Mr. Neal oversaw the successful conversion of about 4,300 employees into the National Security Personnel System. While NSPS has since been terminated, Mr. Neal’s attention to detail in conversion significantly reduced problems encountered in reversing it.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Loren M. Reno served with DLA in separate assignments for more than five years. During his tenure, DLA provided record levels of logistical support to joint/combined warfighting, operational exercises, peacekeeping, humanitarian operations, disaster recovery and emergency relief efforts for the U.S. military, civilian agencies, and friendly foreign governments in spite of unprecedented demand for goods and services. DLA established four new distribution depots, which handled their share of the 24.7 million receipts and issues processed annually by DLA worldwide. He was the architect and driving force behind DLA’s strategy to implement the Supply and Storage, Joint Cross Service Group’s recommendations to the Base Realignment and Closure Act 2005. Under his leadership as chairman of the Material Readiness Component Advisory Group, savings were realized well ahead of expectations. Over time, the implementation of the BRAC decisions under Lt. Gen. Reno’s guidance are expected to improve readiness for the Department of Defense and resulted in a net savings of $799 million. An avid proponent for DLA’s Business Systems Modernization initiative, he oversaw a $700 million major acquisition program developed to replace multiple legacy material management systems with commercial off-the-shelf software and state-of-the-art technology. BSM is DoD’s most successful model of an enterprise resource planning system, linking the entire supply chain from customer to supplier. Lt. Gen. Reno excelled in human capital management, which was a cornerstone of his leadership repertoire. He had a profound impact on the quality of the DLA workforce and the DLA work experience. In addition to his tenure as DLA Vice Director, Lt. Gen. Reno served as the Commander of what is now DLA Energy from May 1996 to February 1998, and as Chief of the Joint Logistics and Contingency Operations team and later, Deputy Executive Director of Strategic Programming and Contingency Operations, and Staff Director for Business Management, Corporate Administration, from July 1994 to May 1996.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Mary L. Saunders served as Commander of Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio, now called DLA Land and Maritime, and Vice Director of DLA. She left her mark in the areas of performance, transformation and culture. Her charismatic leadership style built a unique trust with managers, employees, customers and suppliers that produced extraordinary results. Under her command, DSCC achieved the best weapon system support statistics in DLA during that period: the highest supply availability, highest number of weapon systems above goal, and lowest number of backorders. During operations in Kosovo, DSCC received more than 55,000 requisitions and responded with an 87 percent fill rate. She also transformed business operations. She established DSCC’s three tiered formal mentoring program that still exists. The DSCC Leadership Development Association created the “Major General Mary L. Saunders Scholarship Award” in her honor after she left. She recognized the tie between high culture and high productivity and sent several DSCC senior leaders to the Harvard Business School to study the dynamics of organizational culture producing world-class organizational outcomes. After a brief assignment to the Pentagon, General Saunders returned to DLA in 2002 as Vice Director and worked to improve the agency’s performance, transformation and culture during times of epic change. Her focus and determination directly led to universally acclaimed combat logistics support across all DLA supply chains during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as well as humanitarian relief efforts in response to natural disasters and other emergencies. She also led the agency’s transformative Enterprise Resource Planning implementation, a leading edge business practice that dramatically reshaped the agency and revolutionized military logistics. Throughout this tumultuous period, she never took her eyes off culture, championing the creation of an Enterprise Leadership Council that propagated leadership development through new supervisor councils and leadership activities throughout DLA. She also instituted organizational-level Denison culture surveys throughout DLA.

Mr. Thomas Spera retired as the Site Director, DLA Information Operations at Philadelphia in 2011. Over more than 42 years he served in many leadership capacities at the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, now called DLA Troop Support, and at DLA Information Operations at Philadelphia. He was an integral player in the transition from the mainframe and batch environment to an environment of networking, desktop/laptop workstations and remote access supporting a workforce in the age of telework. During the 1970s, Mr. Spera implemented the Standard Automation Material Management System and was the driving force in expanding this application to meet automated mission requirements of the Medical and Clothing and Textiles supply chains. He led the team that brought the Defense Integrated Subsistence Management System online in the early 1980s and was instrumental in consolidating the DSCP mainframes into the Columbus Defense Information System Agency metacenter. Mr. Spera also managed the Y2K initiative for DSCP. Base Realignment and Closure Act ‘93 closed the Defense Personnel Support Center compound, and BRAC ‘95 consolidated the two separate DLA Philadelphia organizations – DPSC and the Defense Industrial Supply Center – to form the DSCP. These two efforts required Mr. Spera’s leadership to effect the relocation of 3,500 users, combine two organizations, and support the reconstruction of the information technology infrastructure for five buildings, consolidate two computer rooms with 10 terabytes of data, hundreds of servers, and a complex telecommunications network. The result was a seamless transition to the new organization, configuration, and location. In his most recent position as the Site Director of DLA Information Operations at Philadelphia, he was instrumental in keeping the DLA Troop Support workforce equipped with state-of-the-art information technology equipment, video teleconferencing, and telecommunications support.

Mr. Edward P. Sweger began his federal career in 1981 as a Temporary Appointed Laborer at the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania’s West site, in Mechanicsburg. He then worked as a Packer/Fork Lift Operator and was promoted to a Warehouse Worker/Forklift Operator Leader in 1984 and stayed in that capacity for the next eight years. He then went on to serve in a variety of positions such as Materials Handler Leader, Distribution Facilities Specialist, and Supply Management Specialist, in which he continued to gain hands-on and technical knowledge of distribution processes, specifically those involving the center’s electronic interface to the physical distribution process, the Distribution Standard System. In September 2000, Mr. Sweger transferred to Susquehanna’s East Site in New Cumberland as a Supply Systems Analyst functioning as a highly respected advisor to Susquehanna’s Commander and Deputy. He also assisted the Command Staff in overseeing almost every facet of the distribution process at both the East and West sites until June 1, 2010. His 20 years of daily direct involvement in the supply processes on the floor in various warehouse functions enabled him to grasp distribution from its most basic user level to strategic complexities. His skills and a forthright communication style, placed him in an exceptional position to problem-solve within the Agency, allowing him to bridge the gap between employees and management, and creating a collaborative team environment that resulted in the generation of solutions and improved methodology. Mr. Sweger was one of the primary influencers on Distribution Standard System design improvements. He provided management with reports and automatic data assessments that clarified shortfalls and displayed excellence of performance and goals, which he had formatted into a flexible and usable style. Through his efforts, contributions and achievements, he saved the agency money through improved system efficiencies, and he helped reshape the agency to better serve the military customers.

Steven R. Bernett served as the deputy commander of Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, now DLA Troop Support. He led DSCP in overcoming challenges to both business practices and internal operations. Mr. Bernett developed and implemented key initiatives to improve and enhance levels of customer support. He played a key role in making DLA Troop Support the organization it has become: a key field activity within the Defense Department’s preeminent combat support agency. Mr. Bernett was instrumental in the transition to commercial practices still underway throughout DLA. The shift to commercial practices required changes to all the major automated systems in use. Under his leadership, seven major rollouts were performed in Business Systems Modernization, affecting 1,758 users, 538,000 National Stock Numbers, and more than $2.9 billion in sales. Mr. Bernett was a driving force behind new processes designed to improve timeliness and improve customer interactions. Under his leadership, the clothing and textiles supply chain expanded the Army Direct Ordering System to the entire Iraq/Afghanistan theater. Shipment times to the unit were reduced from 45 days to 10-14 days. Mr. Bernett’s impressive performance and lasting contributions reflect his dedication to duty and bring great credit upon himself, DLA Troop Support, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Defense.

Dennis C. Canterbury retired from Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio, now DLA Land and Maritime, as the special assistant to the commander. He distinguished himself by exceptional service to DLA while serving as the director, Transformation and Transition; chief of staff; deputy chief of staff; deputy director and director for readiness and business operations; and lastly special assistant to the commander. Mr. Canterbury inspired DSCC’s culture journey. He was articulate, passionate and inspirational with his messages. The litany of his creations – the social contract, supervisory surveys, 360 surveys, culture academies, Culture Council, culture-related awards and recognitions – are impressive and even more so considering how they have been replicated and imitated at other sites and at the enterprise level. The punctuation point to Mr. Canterbury’s persuasive leadership style was his steadfast walking the talk. Under his effective coaching, DSCC began its culture initiatives 12-18 months ahead of the rest of DLA and showed consistent progress with its Denison culture scores. Mr. Canterbury was a preeminent strategic thinker. Not surprisingly, he contributed to the understanding and cascading of DLA’s Strategic Management System. He was the chief intellect and point of contact in making inputs to DLA Headquarters on the agency’s strategic plan. Locally he was the champion of the learning and growth quadrant of the Balanced Scorecard upon its introduction into DLA. His final assignment was to serve on the agency’s working group to identify redundant and competing initiatives, finally preparing a prioritized list of initiatives worthy of survival in a resource-constrained environment.

Claudia S. “Scottie” Knott served as the director, Acquisition Management, now DLA Acquisition. She was the driving force behind transformative and integrated logistics solutions to better support DoD customers. Through her leadership, diverse customers and industrial suppliers collaborated with DLA to foster innovations that resulted in efforts such as the award and execution of the Integrated Logistics Partnership contract in support of the Humvee armored vehicle repair program. Repairing and rebuilding this critical system was a clear priority for the U.S. Army and its support to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Ms. Knott’s extraordinary business insight transformed traditional logistics support for the vehicle repair line. The resulting ILP contract initially saved the government more than $88 million in reduced operating inventories. During her tenure as executive director of the Joint Electronic Commerce Program Office, she led the department towards its vision of a paperless electronic business/electronic commerce enterprise in developing an Integrated Data Environment prototype. This went from “zero-status” to a functional capability in less than 10 months and was accepted into the Joint Logistics Warfighter Initiative Demonstration Program. Ms. Knott led development of a fully coordinated DoD-wide implementation plan to migrate all DoD’s logistics transactions to commercial electronic data standards, developed a fully compliant DoD EB/EC Enterprise Architecture, and developed five enterprise-wide applications for the DoD Paperless Contracting initiative.

Andrew L. Leitzel distinguished himself during his 36 years of service by consistently performing all duties in an outstanding manner and exhibiting those traits throughout his career that were highly desirous in a federal employee. In a career of steadily increasing responsibility, he rose from a warehouse laborer, Wage Grade 2, to the highest civilian position at DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pa., deputy commander. Mr. Leitzel’s astute leadership and keen managerial and analytical skills significantly contributed to providing A-1 caliber support to customers and to the success of numerous contingency missions, military conflicts and relief efforts worldwide. His dedication to warfighters and to DLA is truly worthy of emulation. As the deputy commander, Mr. Leitzel oversaw the largest of the 26 centers within DLA Distribution. The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the resulting military response in support of the global war on terrorism caused Susquehanna’s business to grow by 50 percent in total workload from 2001 to 2006. His leadership allowed the distribution center, operating with a shortage of 400 personnel, to meet and exceed mission goals. In support of warfighters, Mr. Leitzel increased the material release order production by 41 percent; receipt production by 43 percent; line-items-managed by 22 percent; truck/container volume by 92 percent; air lines of communication pallets by 352 percent; surface containers by 163 percent, an impressive 54 percent in lines-per- paid-equivalent; and the hiring and training of 750 new hires. Mr. Leitzel was the catalyst for or an active supporter of numerous organizational initiatives, including his service as subject matter expert for an A-76 process encompassing hundreds of positions and his long-range planning expertise to implement Base Realignment and Closure mandates. He was involved in seven military construction projects worth $50 million, including the Public Safety Center, Child Development Center, Special Purpose Warehouse, Controlled Humidity Warehouse, Housing Renovation project, the Landfill Cap, and associated demolitions.

Jan B. Reitman served as the staff director, Environmental Safety and Occupational Health, DLA Enterprise Support, now DLA Installation Support. He devoted his 38 years of service to the establishment and management of DLA’s environmental and safety programs. Early in his career, Mr. Reitman worked with Karl Kabeiseman, DLA general counsel, on the first environmental impact statement ever prepared by DLA addressing restrictions on DoD procurement of coal from strip-mined sources. He was also the principal author of several other sensitive environmental documents, including the environmental assessment that supported the establishment of the DoD Ozone Depleting Substance Reserve in 1993. The ODS Reserve continues to serve as DoD’s only physical bank of refrigerants and halon needed to support mission-critical weapon systems. Mr. Reitman successfully briefed the joint logistics commanders and prepared a report to Congress leading to the establishment of environmental attributes in the federal cataloging system to make it easy for federal supply personnel to find and buy “green” products. The program has been a success. There are now 12 approved environmental attributes, ranging from energy efficient products to recycled-content products. There are literally thousands of covered products, including National Stock Numbered items in the Federal Logistics System and items in DoD Electronic Mall. Mr. Reitman was an important member of the DLA Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, Team, where he oversaw the preparation of documents for DLA’s first petition to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval to return DoD PCBs from Japan and Wake Island to the United States for safe disposal. This work included technical document preparation, analyses, EPA and State Department coordination, as well as preparing program management statements released to congressional districts and the public.

Ann C. Bradway distinguished herself in assignments to line and staff units at Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio, and DLA Headquarters over a 36-year career. Frequently hand-selected by managers and commanders to blaze a trail on strategic and transformational programs, Bradway made meaningful contributions to programs such as Weapon System Management, Consumable Item Transfer, Business Systems Modernization Concept Demonstration, and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. In 1988, Bradway accepted an assignment at DLA Headquarters at Cameron Station, in Alexandria, Va., as a supply management representative. During this assignment, she led a number of agencywide logistics programs, including the agency’s first realignment of federal supply classes between centers and the initial consumable-item transfers from the services to DLA. In 2002, when Defense Supply Center Columbus faced another key strategic transformation effort, the command tapped Bradway again for a leadership position. She was reassigned as the director of the Maritime Supplier Operations Group, which included the first-line business units to enter the BSM Concept Demo. Once again, she blazed the trail in this key transformational leadership position, enabling the successful roll out of the largest enterprise resource planning effort ever attempted in the Department of Defense. She went on to lead the Maritime Supplier Operations group, managing 1.7 million items with annual sales of more than $1.5 billion. Also praiseworthy during this assignment was Bradway’s leadership in logistics support to the Navy’s premier Nuclear Reactor Program, maintaining very high performance requirements as well as her leadership overseeing the negotiation of several strategic partnerships with key suppliers. Her keen technical skills and her ability to develop and lead teams of all sizes contributed greatly to the success of Defense Supply Center Columbus.

Retired Rear Adm. James P. Davidson served as executive director for supply operations from July 1989 to August 1991. During this period, he led DLA’s innovative and comprehensive responses to Defense Department logistics consolidations that greatly expanded the agency’s distribution and inventory management functions, while simultaneously meeting the incredibly demanding task of supporting more than 500,000 U.S. forces forward deployed during the first Gulf War. Davidson’s accomplishments during his two-year period at DLA are even more remarkable considering the sudden surge in support requirements in Southwest Asia tied to operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm beginning in August 1990. As director of DLA’s operations, Davidson led DLA Headquarters and field activities to historic levels of support meeting a nearly fourfold increase in demand across DLA and requiring 24/7 operations. DLA met this unprecedented challege by ensuring 100 days’ worth of support in DLA commodities on the ground in theater prior to commencement of ground operations, as required by U.S. Central Command. With this success in the first Gulf War, DLA earned recognition as the premier Defense Department combat support agency within DoD. His deep understanding of logistics issues and his exceptional leadership qualities were truly transformational. During this period, DLA rapidly evolved from a DoD behind-the-scenes wholesaler to a true front-line global logistics combat support agency partnering with the services and combatant commands. He was the indispensable catalyst in meeting his era’s exceptional support challenges while creating the foundation for the superb DLA and DoD logistics capabilities of today. He has continued to play a crucial role in shaping DoD logistics practices as a leading consultant across the full spectrum of the defense logistics industry, including chairing the National Defense Industrial Association’s Logistics Division for six years.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Ray E. McCoy served several tours of duty in key positions at the Defense Logistics Agency. His first Defense Logistics Agency assignment was in August 1988 as the director of the National Inventory Control Point (Supply Operations), Defense Industrial Supply Center Philadelphia. In this position, he was responsible for managing the integration of newly acquired industrial spare parts inventory resulting from recent Base Realignment and Closure decisions. In 1990, he became executive director of Quality Assurance, Defense Contract Management Command, Cameron Station, Va. In this senior leadership position, McCoy was responsible for integrating quality control initiatives from the military service components into a single Defense Department quality control program. As a result of McCoy’s demonstrated leadership skills and management expertise in overseeing this consolidation and realignment initiative, DLA’s director called on him to become the commander of DISC Philadelphia. With his DoD experience and his in-depth knowledge of supply operations, inventory management and customer relations, he began to put in place enhanced program initiatives that made the integration of new line items of supply seamless, transparent, and readily available to users. In the area of material management, McCoy implemented programs that leveraged resources through the use of long–term business arrangements. This change in business practices for consumable spare and repair parts from a “just in case” inventory mentality to a focus on “just in time” acquisition and delivery constituted a major paradigm shift in management and acquisition of material. In June 1995, McCoy returned to DLA after serving as the Army Materiel Command Chief of Staff for 18 months to be the agency’s principal deputy director. In this position, he continued to provide the top quality and strategic leadership as before. He was instrumental in overseeing another 800,000 consumable items transferring to DLA without staffing increases and improving warfighter support with their integration into DLA’s systems. He spearheaded the efforts to consolidate warehousing operations and distribution centers throughout DoD.

From 2000 to 2007, Charles E. Nye led the planning effort to bring Defense Logistics Agency Distribution closer to warfighters while simultaneously developing the capability to rapidly respond to disaster relief. Nye established a deployable distribution capability and fixed distribution facilities in Kuwait, South Korea and Guam, along with theater consolidation and shipping points in Kuwait and South Korea. These efforts significantly enabled DLA to provide more efficient and effective support to Department of Defense warfighters serving in the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command areas of operation and resulted in timely support to warfighters in the region. This enabled DoD to realize a cost avoidance of $4.15 billion when compared to traditional operations. DLA Distribution now maintains regular contact with combatant command elements in all geographic areas and is an active participant in their planning cycles. The model Nye established led to additional distribution centers being positioned in Afghanistan, Bahrain and Okinawa, Japan, along with TCSPs in Afghanistan, Okinawa and Yokota, Japan, and Guam. In January 2006, DLA Distribution received a formal task to build a deployable depot team to respond to natural disasters within the continental United States. The process from tasker to operational capability was completed in five months. With the establishment of this capability, Nye proved the team’s capability within the construct of DLA’s first-ever Joint Concept Technology Demonstration, the Node Management and Deployable Depot. During this period, Nye evolved the team’s focus to expand from CONUS-only to be able to support geographic combatant commander contingencies worldwide. Its true value was realized when the commander of USCENTCOM petitioned the secretary of defense to establish a DLA Distribution capability at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Ever since its establishment, this critical distribution center at the tip of the spear has provided warfighters in country with mission-critical resources. With a fully operational disaster relief and contingency operations capability ready to deploy on short notice, DLA Distribution Expeditionary has proven to be a force multiplier for DLA.

O. Clyde Panneton has distinguished himself through exceptional civilian service to the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Defense during a career spanning 34 years of service, 27 of which were with the Defense Logistics Agency. During the period January 1975 to March 1995, as chief of the Personnel Management Division, Office of Civilian Personnel, DLA Administrative Support Center, Panneton demonstrated the qualities of professionalism, technical expertise, personal dedication and integrity that contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of the mission of the center and the Defense Logistics Agency. He exercised control and supervision over a wide range of complex and sensitive programs, including recruitment and staffing, special employment, incentive awards, employee benefits, drug testing, employee assistance, labor relations, and leave administration. These services were provided to more than 4,000 employees in a wide variety of occupations ranging from senior executives to wage system personnel. During Panneton’s tenure, he worked a variety of critical agency initiatives, including the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure process. During this period, Panneton developed and successfully implemented an unprecedented number of personnel program changes resulting from the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which abolished the U.S. Civil Service Commission and distributed its functions among three agencies. This greatly increased the complexity of the Civilian Personnel Office’s mission as it had to work with three organizations under transition versus one established agency. He provided the director of human resources and key agency officials with sound and timely advice on a multitude of complex problems relating to recruitment and employee relation matters. Panneton’s in-depth knowledge, experience, judgment and interpersonal skills earned him the reputation as the go-to expert for any question or concern related to civilian personnel matters.

Patricia A. Kuntz has distinguished herself throughout 28 years of federal service. Her extensive knowledge of distribution gained throughout her career was invaluable to the Defense Logistics Agency. Kuntz rose quickly through the ranks. Because of her astute technical knowledge, gained through years of hands-on transportation and distribution experience in the production environment, she became a subject-matter expert in DLA Distribution and was frequently tapped for guidance from other agencies, becoming known throughout the industry. Kuntz became a crusader of new initiatives, reaching directly out to the customer to assess their capabilities and realize their needs, as well as their limitations. Her ability to build consensus with leadership to establish new and more efficient ways of doing business, made the initiatives she tackled a success; some of which today are now industry standards. Kuntz pushed beyond incremental changes to inspire spiral improvements for on-time delivery, reliability of distribution systems, and readiness for the military through countless programs under her charge. She has left a legacy of increased velocity, visibility and value in her service to warfighters.

Ms. Brenda T. Longest displayed significant, exceptional accomplishments through a long and dedicated 45-year career with DLA, leading many logistics programs resulting in innovative, successful advancements for the agency. Longest played a key role in the transition of Defense Supply Center Richmond, currently DLA Aviation, through the age of automation beginning with the depot Mechanization of Warehouse and Shipping Procedures system to the DLA supply center Standard Automated Material Management System and ultimately, the suite of Business Systems Modernization applications. As the implementation of BSM progressed, Longest played an even greater role in the integration of its complement, Customer Relationship Management with an increased best practice focus on service, sales, marketing and analytics, all areas in which she was already an accomplished corporate executive. One of Longest’s best known roles was as chief marketing officer in the 1990s. She was directly responsible for DLA Aviation’s increased sales of energy-efficient lighting products, while saving the Defense Department and other federal agencies millions of dollars in energy costs. Longest is best known for 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 began his DLA career in 1986 and retired in July 2007 as deputy commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond, Va. As deputy commander, he provided oversight for the aviation supply and demand chain that managed more than 25 percent of the Defense Logistics Agency’s 4 million consumable items. Through leading by example, setting high but achievable expectations, and delivering positive, meaningful improvements at DSCR and across the aviation demand and supply chain, Jim Bailey’s distinguished record of performance while leading DSCR clearly warrants this prestigious recognition. From world-class warfighter support, excellent partnerships with industry, and exemplary workforce development, Bailey has set the standards for others to emulate. His accomplishments throughout his career reflect great credit on the DSCR and the Department of Defense.

Ronald I. Bayless served as the director of the Operations Support Group at Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio, capping off an impressive 49 years with the military and the Defense Logistics Agency. For almost 50 years, he was an outstanding proponent of doing things right the first time and ensuring military customers, and ultimately warfighters, were provided with parts of the highest quality and reliability. Today, organizations he led affect virtually every military system in the field and in production. Bayless was a key figure throughout his long and distinguished career for the unrelenting pursuit of quality as it applies to the needs of the Department of Defense and its customers.

Donald P. Brown has distinguished himself throughout 27 years of federal service. His extensive knowledge of the military and distribution experience were invaluable to the Army and the Defense Logistics Agency. As he quickly rose through the ranks with his continuous development and implementation of new initiatives, Brown was appointed as sirector of the Defense Distribution Depot in Columbus, Ohio, in 1997, as the first permanent civilian director of a DLA distribution center. Shortly after Brown being selected as director, DDCO was selected as the first depot to undergo the A-76 public/private competition for distribution services and served as a model for all future distribution center competitions. Brown raised the bar on performance for himself, his employees and his peers. His total dedication to process improvement, insistence upon excellence, and commitment to customer service and fiscal responsibility were hallmarks in his career.

Francis S. Ciccarone began his career with the Defense Logistics Agency in 1974 as a mechanical engineer in the Directorate of Engineering and Standardization, Defense Industrial Supply Center. As DISC transformed into Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Ciccarone became the chief of the Logistics Support Office in the General and Industrial Directorate. He has had a profound effect on DLA’s success in supplying innovative technical solutions for America’s warfighters. During his career, Ciccarone excelled as a leader of both programs and people. The hallmark of his career is that even today, DSCP, DLA and Department of Defense continue to support warfighters through process improvements and systems enhancements that were devised and introduced during his watch.

Alton C. Ressler has dedicated his working life to serving, assisting and being there for others. Early in his life he chose to make the profession of human resources his life’s work. From November 1989 until April 1999, he served and assisted the leaders, managers, supervisors and employees of the Defense Logistics Agency admirably and tirelessly. His mission and passion have always been to serve and assist others. His dedication made him immensely successful. While at DLA, he was totally committed to doing all he could to make the agency the best place possible to work. His willingness and ability to mentor those in the human resources profession has left a huge mark on the agency and in the Department of Defense.

Nancy K. Rheaume created and made significant progress toward implementing an innovative strategy to improve performance results and reduce logistics support costs for Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service customers and stakeholders. Rheaume led by example as a mentor and guide to the executives, managers and many employees who successfully advanced in DRMS. She constantly challenged people to think strategically and exercise leadership, whether they occupied formal management positions, had advanced goals, or were seeking to improve leadership capabilities in their current roles.

Ms. Jerri L. Taylor distinguished herself by unsurpassed service to our Nation demonstrated throughout a career of steadily increasing responsibility, culminating in her 2004 appointment as the first female civilian Director of Defense Distribution Depot Richmond, Virginia (DDRV). As director and a dynamic leader, she was responsible for the clean-up of nearly 25,000 commercial gas cylinders and she established accountability of the assets. Rather than disposing of the cylinders, she directed their processing through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) Sales. Her partnership with DRMS saved the government an estimated $1 million in disposal cost avoidance. Ms. Taylor’s performance clearly demonstrated her extraordinary leadership abilities. She left a legacy of profound excellence in the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Defense that will be remembered for years to come.

Bruce W. Baird distinguished himself for exemplary public service to the Defense Logistics Agency, Office of General Counsel for more than three decades. He began his career at DLA as a junior attorney at the Defense General Supply Center. Recognized early in his career for superior intellect and outstanding leadership ability, Baird held progressively responsible legal advisory and program management positions in Richmond and Alexandria, Va.; Germany; Chicago; and Battle Creek, Mich. He consistently inspired and motivated subordinates to achieve high levels of professional excellence.

Phyllis C. Campbell was appointed to the Senior Executive Service position of Deputy Commander, Defense Distribution Center in July 1998. A visionary leader, Campbell anticipated customer demands of the future, successfully governed a volatile business environment and tirelessly provided the momentum and direction for the evolution of DDC to an integrated, world-class distribution and transportation network providing outstanding full-spectrum support to warfighters of the 21st century. The tremendous initiatives spearheaded by Campbell and the significant accomplishments she brought to the military supply chain will further enable DDC to optimize its global distribution system through best business practices, improved logistics processes, balanced customer service and cost initiatives, and increased levels of readiness, sustainability and accountability.

Navy Capt. Terry R. Irgens served the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia as chief of the Hospital Surgical Branch in the mid-1980s and as director of Medical Materiel Supply Chain from 1990 – 1994. As the medical supply chain director, Irgens had the keen sense of recognizing opportunity and potential for improvement. He led the way in engaging in strategic partnerships with the military services’ medical logistics offices and the Department of Veterans Affairs. By partnering with VA, the Department of Defense and VA were able to leverage product pricing and expand the efficiencies of the prime vendor concept to the entire federal healthcare system. The success of DLA’s medical supply chain today is due in large part to his expertise, innovation and leadership.

Jeffrey A. Jones had a long and extremely distinguished tenure with the Defense Logistics Agency. He first served as the Defense Fuel Supply Center’s deputy director for supply operations from 1981-1983, with worldwide responsibilities for military petroleum supply and storage operations. After his initial time with DLA in the early 1980s, Jones held a variety of Department of Defense leadership positions across the entire logistics gamut, testifying frequently before Congress on vital supply support issues impacting DLA and all of DoD. From March 2000 to November 2003, Jones was the first long-term civilian director of the Defense Energy Support Center. His extraordinary combination of experience, vision, leadership and sheer hard work were applied for over 11 years in several key roles to help DLA and DESC to significantly transform while sustaining excellence in daily operations.

Navy Vice Adm. Keith W. Lippert served as the 14th director of the Defense Logistics Agency from July 2001 to July 2006, the longest serving director in the agency’s history. He assumed command of DLA right before Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and led the agency to deliver dramatically improved logistics support to America’s warfighters, its allies, and victims of natural disasters around the world. By every critical measure of success, DLA achieved historical bests under Lippert’s leadership. Sales to warfighters’ satisfaction doubled from $17 billion in 2001 to $34 billion in 2006. Through his vision, energy and determination, Lippert made significant and lasting contributions to the Defense Logistics Agency, the Department of Defense, and the nation.

Richard B. “Rick” Maison made extraordinary and enduring contributions in his 16 years with the Defense Logistics Information Service. Throughout his tenure, Maison was a major contributor to vital improvements in North Atlantic Treaty Organization logistics support, winning an election in November 2003 as chairman of the NATO Allied Committee 135. He guided DLIS’ comprehensive efforts to stand up the first National Codification Bureau College. In addition, Maison led the first data quality effort at DLIS, with an initial focus on providing crucial support for the massive Business Systems Modernization data conversion. This was a massive success of the BSM rollout across the Defense Logistics Agency. As a result of Maison’s exceptional imagination, commitment, analytical skills and leadership, DLIS is deeply respected and sought after for participation in the most significant challenges facing the Department of Defense’s and NATO’s supply chains.

Arthur H. Bland was a trailblazer at Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio, from 1951 to 1990. Devotion to duty and progress were the hallmarks of Bland’s long and distinguished career as a government employee. His energy and intense focus on the future contributed to his success and admiration from all those with whom he worked. His pioneering work with the DLA Standard Automated Material Management System, cataloging, automated data exchange, quality improvement, and supply management contributed to the foundation upon which the current DLA organization has been built.

Army Brig. Gen. Barbara A. Doornink distinguished herself through unsurpassed and conspicuously distinguished service as commander of the Defense Distribution Center from July 1998 to August 2000. During this period, her outstanding leadership resulted in a number of major contributions to the national security of the United States. She transformed distribution into an efficient and effective logistics foundation for the combatant commands and military services. Doornink embarked on an epoch depot transformation to support all customers and improve velocity and visibility of the Department of Defense’s distribution process. DDC activated two new distribution facilities and reduced DDC’s annual budget by $83.8 million. The initiatives spearheaded by Doornink continued to enable DDC to optimize its global distribution system. Her accomplishments are a tribute to herself, those she led, DDC, the Defense Logistics Agency, and all of the dedicated men and women in, and out, of uniform.

Judith Hawryliak was one of the architects in the establishment of the agencywide Corporate Contracts Initiative. Through her tireless efforts and oversight, dozens of agencywide corporate contracts were established that saved millions of dollars in lead time and contract costs. The impact of her foresight and business acumen is still felt throughout the agency. Her career at DLA was an inspiration to the professionals that followed in her footsteps, and she continues to be recognized for her extraordinary leadership and support for the outstanding mission support throughout her tenure at the Defense Industrial Supply Center.

Louis M. Stephens began his career with the Defense Supply Agency in 1964. He became Director of the Defense Addressing System Office after being selected by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense to design, develop, and test a Defense Automatic Addressing System prototype for automated requisition routing. He conceptualized, designed and put in place a system that continues to improve supply chain transaction processing, maintains Defense Department organizational directories, and creates reports that together provide invaluable support to warfighters. Through his leadership, Stephens greatly improved the ability of DLA to conduct its business of supporting the nation’s defense.

Rear Admiral Raymond A. ("Ray") Archer was the Vice Director of the Defense Logistics Agency from 1999-2002. He arrived at DLA at a point when the Agency had determined it would need to completely modernize its business processes to sustain existing operations and to meet the anticipated requirements of the 21st century. RADM Archer was ideally suited to take the lead in ensuing DLA deepened its commitment and set out on the best possible course of action.

Mrs. Pamela S. Cooper is inducted into the DLA Hall of Fame for her exceptional leadership, dedicated service, and numerous contributions in support of the missions of the Defense Logistics Agency. Mrs. Cooper served as a role model and inspiration to everyone. Through her tenacity, perseverance, and continued self improvement, she demonstrated that hard work and focused effort are rewarded. Her thirty-five years of loyal service to this great Nation has immeasurably contributed to the readiness posture of the Armed Forces and its ultimate defense of this Nation.

Mr. Irving, a Bellwood icon and trend-setter in the world of Equal Opportunity, was well known for his efforts Agency-wide over a 24 year span. Mr. Irving made a powerful and lasting impact on his peers as the Equal Employment Officer and as Deputy Director of Human Resources at Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR).

Mr. Bobby Parsons was one of the early pioneers in the requirement definition, design, and implementation of Agency-wide automated systems. When the Defense Logistics Agency (then called the Defense Supply Agency, DSA) was initially established it consisted of a Headquarters element staffed with people from various Headquarters commands such as the Army's Office of the Quartermaster General and similar organizations in the Military Services.

Army Maj. Gen. Hawthorne (Peet) Proctor has a long history with the Defense Logistics Agency. As a young Army Captain, he worked at the Defense Industrial Supply Center in Philadelphia from 1978-1980. General Proctor returned to Philadelphia in 1996. This time, he was a Brigadier General assuming command of the Defense Personnel Support Center.

Mr. Michael E. Yost, distinguished himself through unsurpassed service first as the Supply Management Officer for the Defense Distribution Region East, next as the Distribution Facilities Manager, Office of the Commander, Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, then as the Financial Manager, Defense Distribution Center , and lastly, as the Business Systems Modernization Manager for the Defense Distribution Center.

Mr. George H. Allen served as the Deputy Commander of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. He championed the efforts of the organization to redefine its business environment to align more appropriately with the commercial sector.

Mr. Anthony (Tony) DiCioccio made significant and enduring contributions to the Defense Logistics Agency throughout his career with the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. Under his guidance, DSCP moved from a traditional, depot stocked food system to a highly efficient, contracted food distribution system that became known as the Subsistence Prime Vendor Program.

Army Maj. Gen. John Dreska, Retired, served as Commander, New Cumberland Army Depot, from 1981-1983. Major General Dreska had the vision and initiative to plan, organize, secure funding, and break ground on Defense Distribution Region East (DDRE). Today, the Defense Depot Susquehanna Pennsylvania (DDSP-formerly DDRE) is now DLA's flagship distribution center and the most automated, efficient, important depot in all of DLA.

Mr. Frank Lakis began his career with the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia in 1960. While serving in his first position as a plumber, his skills were immediately recognized and he quickly moved into the Directorate of Medical Material as an electronics technician. He was a pioneering member of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. His skills and outstanding professionalism continued to be recognized and Mr. Lakis was promoted to Management Analyst.

Mr. Frank B. Lotts was a Bellwood employee for almost 30 years, from the early 1970s until he was selected as the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) deputy director for logistics in 2000. His long-term contributions to Bellwood are numerous and of continual benefit to Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR), DLA, and the community.

Ms. Mary P. McKeever was a special person, a highly respected professional, and for more than three decades her name was synonymous with the word procurement. Dedicated; devoted; committed; tenacious; determined; knowledgeable; devoted; faithful; team-oriented; and friend and mentor to others are just some of the words that can be used to describe her. To those closest to her, Mary was simply and affectionately called "McKeever."

Army Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky, Retired, distinguished himself through unsurpassed and conspicuously distinguished service, first as Commander, Defense Distribution Region East (DDRE), and then Commander, Defense Distribution Center (DDC), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Major General Privratsky completed his tour as Commander, DDC, and Commander, DDRE having revolutionized DLA distribution operations and customer service.

Mr. Edward J. Biddle's accomplishments during his 36 years of service were truly outstanding. He established the highest standards in cost consciousness, professional responsibility and personal accountability. Mr. Biddle's efforts won him recognition throughout the Department of Defense as an expert in both the energy and contract management fields.

Ms. Bird was recognized during her tenure at DSCP many times. She earned all the usual field activity performance awards and in addition, all the top awards for DoD civilian employees - the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Exceptional Civilian Service Award and the Distinguished Civilian Service Award. Ms. Bird was a role model for every woman in the federal government. She smashed through the "glass ceiling" and paved the way for a whole generation of female leaders in the DLA community who now occupy key positions at every level of the organization. She had a long and illustrious career and never lost sight of the need to take care of customers first, last and always.

Navy Rear Adm. Edward R. Chamberlin became Deputy Director of the Defense Logistics Agency following a successful naval career that included numerous key positions ashore, overseas and afloat. His overseas assignments included a year in Vietnam, where he was responsible for overall inventory support of 10 Seabee battalions throughout Vietnam and a financial management tour in London, England. Rear Admiral Chamberlin also had three tours afloat as supply officer USS NlMITZ (CVN 68), Supply Officer USS LITTLEROCK (CG4-U.S. Sixth Fleet Flag Ship) and Supply Officer USS HISSEM (DER4OO) where he made two WESTPAC deployments.

Army Lt. Gen. Henry Glisson's superior leadership and exceptional managerial skills have been instrumental in revolutionizing DLA's logistics support and services to the Nation's warfighters and peacekeepers. With his support and guidance, DLA reengineered itself to become a leader in the dynamic, fast-moving efforts within DOD to improve military readiness while reducing costs. The Defense Logistics Agency is the military's preferred supplier of goods and services, and its men and women are contributing immensely to peacetime and contingency operations while returning resources to the warfighters and taxpayers. General Glisson's contributions to DLA's mission and to the Department of Defense have been extraordinary and will bring benefits to this Department and our country's combat forces for years to come.

Hal Halvorsen is credited with being the father of the Paperless Ordering Placement System, or POPS. It was the first time in government that customer requisitions could be passed to vendors for immediate direct shipment from commercial stocks rather than from government warehouse inventories. Corporate whole product line contracting, long-term contracting, EC/EDI, and direct vendor delivery are just examples of programs that have pieces of the POPS concept embedded within them.

Navy Vice Adm. Joseph M. Lyle, SC, Retired, served as the first Deputy Director of the Defense Supply Agency, later renamed the Defense Logistics Agency, from 196 1 to 1964. In July 1964 he became Director of the Agency. For his outstanding service in that assignment, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal. As Director of the Defense Supply Agency, Vice Admiral Lyle performed essential service in the planning and development of an unprecedented joint logistical organization of the Department of Defense.

From his work as chairman of the Joint Task Group formed to plan and implement the DoD Integrated Management of Personal Property Disposal and his subsequent appointment as commander of the Defense Property Disposal Service, General Richard H. Thompson, USA (Ret.) Pioneered the methods by which efficient and accountable property disposal are conducted today. His dedication and leadership ensured that the initial Defense Property Disposal Offices had the support they needed from their host installations and that their personnel were well trained and equipped to perform their duties.

For 33 years, Mr. Robert P. Arnold served the Defense Logistics Agency in multiple leadership positions. During his tenure as Chief, Plans and Analysis Division, Office of Plans and Management, Defense Contract Administration Services and as Chief, Property Utilization and Disposal Division, Directorate of Technical and Logistics Services, Mr. Arnold used his expertise and his keen business sense to streamline operations and increase their efficiency. He reduced the number of Contract Administration Services regions, consolidating their staff elements and eliminating overheads.

As the 12th director of the Defense Logistics Agency, Air Force Lt. Gen. George T. Babbitt helped DLA sustain its momentum toward greater efficiency and customer satisfaction. Under General Babbitt's leadership, "reinventing government" continued to be a watchword throughout the agency. In the true spirit of reinventing government, DLA activities continued to upgrade their services. From the billing improvements of the Defense Logistics Services Center to the adoption of best business practices of the Defense Reutilization and Management Service, DLA demonstrated its commitment to change in search of better ways to support America's warfighters.

During his time as Commander of DPSC, Army Lt. Gen. John Cusick gained high-level visibility for his organization. Although part of our business strategy now, engagement with the Unified Commands and higher echelons of the Department of Defense was not common practice a decade ago. General Cusick, however, saw the value of this communication and its potential to develop improvements in our logistical support. To ensure awareness of DPSC in the military medical healthcare community, he personally met with the Surgeon General from each military service. The benefits brought about by this type of interaction proved invaluable.

Navy Rear Adm. Ernest Elliot (RET) led a revolution in business process improvements incorporating the latest technology associated with Activity Based Costing and data mining. DSCC led the way within DLA to design an Agency prototype in ABC techniques, reducing operating costs by re-engineering those processes that produce the highest cost per output. Data mining complemented the use of ABC techniques by improving the ability to identify relationships and patterns within extremely large databases and resulted in improved customer support by better identifying relationships and predictors of problems for spare parts requirements.

Henry T. Flint, better known as "H.T.," began his civil service career in 1946 at the former U.S. Army Columbus General Depot after four years in the U.S. Navy. Unlike many of today's career-hoppers, who generally become restless after a short time with one organization, H.T's entire civil service career was with one organization: the Depot.

Mr. Ranalli has, throughout his entire career, been an exceptional leader, motivator, planner and innovator. He is a man who truly used his skills to accomplish the foremost mission of providing support to the soldier, airman, sailor and Marine. For all of these reasons, Mr. Ranalli is worthy of induction into the Defense Logistics Agency's Hall of Fame.

Mr. Saari's achievements are cornerstones of excellence and professionalism and set a new standard for all to emulate. His outstanding and consistent record as DLIS's modernization program manager and DLIS Deputy is in keeping with the tradition of dedication and professionalism and is a credit to himself, the DoD, the DLA and DLIS.

Army Brig. Gen. James E. Bickford (RET) served as the Commander of the Defense Fuel Supply Center (DFSC) from September 1987 to September 1990. During this period, General Bickford established and maintained the highest possible standards in providing quality petroleum products and exceptional worldwide responsiveness to the military services.

Mr. Thomas J. De Grazia served the U.S. Federal Government for over 50 years. He began his federal service in 1944 as a GS-3 resident inspector of engineering materials for the Office of Inspector of Naval Material located in New York City. In 1948 he was recruited as a trainee by the U.S. Treasury Department, Bureau of Federal Supply, where he assumed the responsibility for implementing the procurement and storage of strategic and critical materials legislated by the Stockpile Act of 1946.

Ms. Fitzgerald was instrumental in making DLA more combat ready in the OCONUS theater. She assumed the Worldwide Management of Subsistence (WIMS) which greatly augmented the DLA mission by adding OCONUS ownership and management of food. She expanded the Defense Subsistence Region Europe, establishing a footprint in Europe and increasing readiness capability in support of the cold war in Europe. She also pioneered the OCONUS capability to support commissaries worldwide with the advent of Direct Commissary Support System, the first Direct Vendor Delivery program to OCONUS locations.

Navy Vice Adm. Eugene Andrews Grinstead, USN (RET), became Director of the Defense Logistics Agency in June 1981. Before coming to DLA, VADM Grinstead had enjoyed a successful career in the Navy, including assignments as Vice Commander and Commander of the Naval Supply Systems Command. VADM Grinstead became head of DLA during the period when the Agency was enjoying its 20th anniversary. DLA had passed through its critical early years and was developing into an efficient partner to the Military Services. Under VADM Grinstead's leadership, the Agency continued to develop innovative solutions to logistics challenges.

Richard J. Hoffman personally championed three significant contracting initiatives that forever changed the way the Defense Logistics Agency does business. Those initiatives were the SAMMS Automated Small Purchase System, Version I, and Version 2, and the DLA Pre-award Contracting System. Each one of these systems dramatically improved the efficiency of the contracting process. Unprecedented productivity was gained and lead time improvements were reduced from months to days as a result of these initiatives. Mr. Hoffman enacted innovative changes to more effectively support the war fighter, and served as the principal architect and visionary who inspired and effected the foundation for all the contracting automation initiatives from which we benefit today.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles P. McCausland became the 10th Director of the Defense Logistics Agency in November 1988. Prior to becoming Director of DLA, he served with the Dayton Air Force Depot at Gentile Air Force Station, Ohio. He was with that activity in a supply position when it was designated as the Defense Electronics Supply Center. From March 1977 to August 1979 he served as commander of the Defense Logistics Services Center in Battle Creek, Mich. He then commanded the Defense Contract Administration Services Region in Los Angeles.

Army Lt. Gen. Vincent M. Russo (RET) was the ninth Director of the Defense Logistics Agency. With a background in accounting and transportation, LTG Russo had previously held positions such as Commanding General, Western Area, Military Traffic Command at Oakland Army Base in California and as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, United States Army, Washington, DC. LTG Russo became Director of DLA in July 1986. During this time, LTG Russo guided DLA through a period of continued progress and change. As the Agency continued to adapt to new technologies and changing responsibilities, LTG Russo ensured that DLA never lost sight of its vision and its dedication to serving its customers.

Frank M. Scutch has distinguished himself through exceptional civilian service to the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Defense during a career spanning 34 years of service. During the period March 1974 to June 1995, as the Director, Office of Civilian Personnel, DLA Administrative Support Center, he demonstrated those qualities of exceptional leadership, professionalism, and integrity which contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of the missions of the Center and the Defense Logistics Agency.

Mr. Donald B. Shycoff was an outstanding leader, teacher, and promoter of improved business and financial operations in DLA. His far-reaching vision of improving operations through sound and modem business practices continues to positively impact the agency. Mr. Shycoff raised the levels of understanding the costs of doing business that helped to continue DLA's abilities to provide world-class service to the war fighter. He was instrumental in leading DLA 's efforts in productivity gain sharing and unit cost. Mr. Donald B. Shycoff truly deserves recognition on the Agency's Hall of Fame.

Navy Vice Adm. Edward M. Straw (RET) had a distinguished military career in logistics management serving through a wide variety of afloat and shore based assignments. As Director, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), his vision, creativity and leadership were the driving force that completely reengineered DLA. Under his leadership, DLA performance earned the Joint Meritorious Unit Award from Secretary of Defense William Perry in March 1996, plus numerous recognitions for quality performance and innovation, including many government reinvention "Hammer" awards from Vice President Gore, and in 1995 Ford Foundation's "Innovations in American Government" award to its Defense Personnel Support Center on Philadelphia, PA.

Richard G. Bruner, as Executive Director, Technical and Logistics Services, was instrumental in establishing a separate DLA field activity for property disposal called the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service.

Thomas G. Hickey served as the first comptroller of the Defense Fuel Supply Center, now DLA Energy, from December 1972 through May 1986. Hickey's position was the first one created when the center picked up the new mission of integrated materiel management of bulk petroleum.

Robert L. Molino pioneered dramatic breakthroughs in acquisition strategies such as DSCP's New Business Strategies Demonstration Program. Established in 1991, this program introduced innovative business practices designed to meet new peacetime missions and war readiness capabilities.

Paul D. Oliver served a 50-year career, beginning during World War II and ending in 1997. He worked most of his carrer in the supply and distribution field, rising through the ranks from warehouseman to become Deputy of the Defense Distribution Depot Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His extensive experience at all levels of the organization served as the basis for his unequaled leadership of distribution depot operations.

Harry G. Spokowski pioneered many innovative approaches to collective bargaining. In 1964, he became President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2449 at Cameron Station in Alexandria, Va.

Vincent J. Stampone helped the Defense Industrial Supply Center establish its reputation for pioneering innovative supply and logistical management initiatives. He led the cadre that established the first Commodity Business Units in DISC, a concept later adopted by DoD.

Ackerman-Cobb began her government career in 1956 with what was then called the Military General Supply Agency. In 1972, she headed a team responsible for implementing the Standard Automated Material Management System at the Defense Supply Center Richmond. As the deputy director of supply operations, Ackerman-Cobb managed complex logistical initiatives to include Defense Management Reviews, Base Realignment and Closure, and operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Barnett became the first civilian woman to head a DLA primary level field activity as the administrator of the Defense National Stockpile Center in 1991. As the deputy commander of the Defense Supply Center Columbus, Barnett successfully managed a complex merger of the Defense Electronics Supply Center and Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC).

Army Maj. Gen. Charles Henry (RET) served six tours with DLA in key positions within field activities and the headquarters. From 1988 to 1992, Henry served as the deputy director (Acquisition Management) and was the first commander of the newly formed DCMC. Henry was instrumental in creating DCMC by consolidating contract administrative services for the military under one central activity.

Kenneth K. McLain became director of Technical Operations at DCSC in 1975 and served there until his retirement in 1993. As director, he was responsible for provisioning, standardization, quality, technical data repository, cataloging, value engineering, packaging, and technical support to both supply operations and procurement.

Roy served in several senior positions across DLA, beginning with the Defense Contract Administration Services Office in Houston and then became the deputy commander of the DCAS Region New York. He served in DLA headquarters as deputy assistant director and assistant director for Policy and Plans from 1984 to 1993.

Scranton began her government career in 1944 as a temporary clerk at Wright-Patterson Field, Dayton, Ohio, and retired in 1997 as the deputy commander/deputy director for the Defense Supply Center Columbus. During her five decades of government service, Scranton participated in many projects that resulted in awards for innovation and excellent performance.

Vaughan served as director of the Defense Supply Agency from 1976 to 1978. During his tenure, DSA changed its name to DLA in recognition of the expanded missions of the Agency and to help bring about a closer relationship with the service logistics commands.

As comptroller, Cassell was DLA's senior civilian. He was recognized for his leadership in developing and managing the agency's operating budget that exceeded $13 billion annually. Cassell conceived of the idea to establish a central finance organization. Under his personal direction, DLA primary level field activities began transferring financing and accounting operations and personnel to the DLA Finance Center in 88. The concept was later adopted throughout DoD and became the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

During his service within DLA's Contract Management Directorate, the predecessor to the Defense Contract Management Command, Gordon was instrumental in strengthening programs designed to monitor the cost effectiveness of contractor purchasing system, contract insurance and pension programs, and contractor automatic data processing equipment programs. He aggressively supported the establishment of formal cost monitoring programs at major defense contract facilities and effectively guided the performance of in-depth contractor overhead reviews conducted on select major systems acquisitions.

As staff director for Personnel, Hudson was personally instrumental in developing a more collaborative relationship with the agency-wide labor organization and was the chief architect of the Master Labor Agreement covering most DLA employees. The negotiation of the first agency-wide collective bargaining agreement represented a milestone in DLA's history. Hudson was also known for his aggressive application of affirmative action concepts and provided the leadership needed to create the first Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program.

As general counsel, Kabeiseman helped lead the first major reorganization of DLA in its history. In the 1980s, he was instrumental in developing the model Fraud Program, which had a wide-ranging impact on contractor integrity programs throughout DoD. He also piloted the concept of special fraud remedies units. In addition, Kabeiseman implemented an ethics program and effective enforcement process that are still in use. During his career, he encouraged all DLA lawyers to be vigorous advocates for their clients, to serve as the conscience of the agency and to act responsibly as public officials.

As its first director, McNamara created a joint logistics agency from scratch. Under his skilled leadership, the agency achieved significant savings in time, money and personnel through rapid standardization of the items it managed. He honed his skills and leadership traits through his service in various theaters in World War II and as Quartermaster General, where he was responsible for providing food and clothing for all the Armed Forces.