SEOUL, South Korea –
Defense Logistics Agency Energy Korea Inventory Management Specialist Kyu Sok Kwak was recognized as the 2017 United States Forces Korea Civilian Employee of the Year in the Administrator of the Year category during a ceremony at Yongsan Army Base, Seoul, South Korea, Sept. 20.
In the category, Kwak was chosen from 50 nominees representing civilian employees in all commands as well as assigned, attached or tenant units of USFK and other Department of Defense activities in the Republic of Korea.
“I never expected to receive an award like this,” Kwak said. “I’m happy to represent DLA Energy and thankful to my leadership and coworkers for making this a great place to work.”
Kwak, known as the elder statesman of DLA Energy Korea, brings a quiet demeanor combined with a fierce knowledge of petroleum distribution to the ROK, his nominating supervisor said.
“He has earned the respect and admiration of U.S. and Korean military and civilian employees, and I am so proud of him,” said DLA Energy Korea Inventory Specialist Supervisor Marc Lamontagne. “Today, he received well-deserved recognition as the best among a workforce of 16,000 USFK civilians.”
With more than 15 years’ experience in DLA Energy and fuels, Kwak’s masterful planning skills proved invaluable, providing subject matter expertise in the award of a 14.7 million gallon fuel storage service contract valued at more than $13 million.
Kwak’s contributions were essential to ensuring petroleum inventory and resupply to 22 USFK Defense Fuel Support Points throughout the ROK. Moving fuel between DFSPs in Korea requires a nomination in the Enterprise Business System. Kwak placed nominations for 194 million gallons of JP-8 by pipeline, 13 million by barge, 5 million by tank truck, 4.5 million by rail tank car and another 4.5 million by fuel exchange program. 2016 was an extremely challenging year for fuel planning in Korea because the international agreement that provides support for distribution infrastructure is pending expiration.
“Mr. Kwak is an exceptional performer in his own right,” said DLA Energy Korea Commander Army Lt. Col. Faith Chamberlain.
He flawlessly managed Korea’s Fuel Exchange Agreement/Replacement-In-Kind (FEA/RIK) program. He hosted quarterly reconciliation events for each of the foreign services and an annual event validated by Headquarters International Agreements and DLA Finance personnel. The ROK and U.S. exchanged more than 13 million gallons of fuel during the calendar year, including 1.8 million gallons of fuel in support of Rim of the Pacific, the world’s largest maritime exercise. Kwak verified each transaction and reconciled totals for cash or RIK settlement with each service. Finally, he devised a plan for reconciling an in-balance, in-fuel exchange with the ROK Air Force. His innovative proposal for replacement-in-kind will potentially save the U.S. more than $3 million annually in petroleum distribution and transportation costs.
Kwak streamlined reconciliation procedures for foreign fuel exchange, crafting an international agreement between the U.S. and ROK. The new agreement calls for reconciliation on a semi-annual versus a quarterly basis and brings the U.S./Korea agreement into alignment with standard practices. He also coordinated efforts for a Sustainment Re-modernization Maintenance project at Yechon DFSP, enabling exchange of product between services.
For his efforts, Kwak was presented a coin and certificate of appreciation by General Song, Kyung Sun, commander, Aero Resource Management Wing, ROK Air Force.
Kwak also serves as mentor to Korean employees.
“He is a true ambassador of Korean culture for the Americans who serve tours abroad,” his supervisor said. “Because Mr. Kwak is the epitome of a quiet professional, he very reluctantly accepts praise; he is, however, as deserving as any other employee.”