Employee Spotlight: Navy Lt. Tim Vadala
Name: Lt. Tim Vadala
Organization: Office of the Commander, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation
Years of Service: Six years, U.S. Navy, Supply Corps
What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically? Aide-to-the-commander, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation.
What do you like most about your job? The people. Being the aide to the commander, I get to interact with many different people who perform a wide variety of roles. I couldn’t perform my job adequately without the help and support of all the employees, peers, and friends here at Aviation.
What is your fondest memory of working for DLA Aviation? Nothing particular, but I would say getting to know Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Command Support Directorate over the past 14 months is a fond memory. The people that work in command support, from my counterpart in the front office to the Public Affairs Office, are just wonderful. I am 32 years old, by far the youngest around this neck of the woods. They are supportive, teachers, and most are my “moms” at work!
What kind(s) of training and education helps your work performance in your current role? Honestly, there is no particular training that helps someone be a good aide. In the active duty realm, there is no training pipeline or pre-requisite. However, having experience with Defense Travel System and having the wherewithal to ask questions are definitely pluses. No one day is the same as the next. Each travel itinerary is different. All these changes come with questions and alterations in DTS. But, as I’ve said before, command support personnel are definitely there to help me succeed.
What would you say has been your major contributions to your organization this year in your job? Being an aide is different. I’m not on the ground floor crunching numbers and looking at data. My main job is to take care of my boss and help execute his mission. That mission is supporting the warfighter. My duties include traveling, in-progress reviews, teleconferences, video teleconferences and more. They are all critical elements that help him execute that mission. My job is to organize, prioritize and execute.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction? Why? The travel. I love to get out of the office to visit our customers, whether we visit a defense contractor or the warfighter. Each site visit is different and exciting with new discussions on how to approach supporting the warfighter as best as we can.
If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? Keep up the fight! Stepping outside the Navy realm and working for DLA has really opened my eyes to the various ways we help the warfighters. Additionally, I’d tell them they have 3,000 people alone in DLA Aviation that are doing everything they can to get the part they need when they need it. We have your back and will continue to do so.
What was your first job? USS San Jacinto (CG 56) – Food Service, Sales, and Disbursing Officer
What advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago? Don’t stress the small stuff. Life has a very uncanny way of working things out for you.
What are some of your passions outside of work? Spending as much time as I can with my wife, Kayleigh, and my cat, Wally and, of course, playing soccer.
If you had a theme song, what would it be and why? The “Top Gun” movie theme because I love that movie!