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News | May 11, 2017

Soracco recognized for achievements as commander of San Diego distribution center

By Brianne M. Bender DLA Distribution Public Affairs

Navy Supply Corps Capt. John D. Soracco has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal for his achievements while serving as commander, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Diego, Calif.

During Soracco’s two-year tenure, he led an integrated team of over 250 civilian, military and contractor personnel in the management of over 100,000 line items and $4.8 billion in inventory, making over 800,000 transactions annually.

While efficiently managing the $50 million contracted wholesale distribution center operation, Soracco analyzed the workload and inventory positioning strategy to forecast and make contract modifications supporting a 40 percent increase in the workload. He also led the team through the work surge to maximize performance while additional labor was put into place for future support.

Additionally, Soracco led the optimization of DLA Distribution’s first aviation retail division supporting a major Navy Aircraft Maintenance Depot. He led the analysis and process improvement over the aviation retail division meeting customer needs with improved efficiency.

Soracco exceeded customer expectations, while transitioning to improved processes and a transferred organizational structure achieving a 43 percent savings.
Furthermore, Soracco drove the Navy warehouse operation of his command at Port Hueneme, Calif., to improved systems, better processes and expanded capability. He led the implementation of DLA warehouse system Distribution Standard System, greatly improving warehouse operations and putting the Navy warehouse operation in Port Hueneme on the path to becoming a DLA depot with the standards, processes, tools and training necessary.

“John is a dynamic, innovative leader, and his sustained superior performance and devotion to duty are noteworthy,” said DLA Distribution commanding general Army Brig. Gen. John S. Laskodi.

On Friday, May 12, Soracco will hand over command to Navy Supply Corps Capt. Jerome White during the DLA Distribution San Diego Change of Command.

DLA Distribution San Diego, Calif., performs standard distribution operations to include receipt, store, ship, and issue, with related functions to include transshipment, preservation, packaging, packing, and marking, Level 1 Sub-Safe Program, the Emergency Support Operations Center, Care of Supply in Storage, and reclassification. As a part of this mission, DLA Distribution San Diego, Calif., provides tailored distribution services through the Material Processing Center, which serves as a centralized receipt activity for afloat customers in the San Diego area.