NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
DLA Distribution Europe hosted a Diversity and Employee Appreciation Day event in honor of their diverse team members May 17.
“This was the first event DDDE has hosted that focused on the diversity of the workforce (DDDE has workers from 13 countries) showcasing regional food, clothing, music and customs,” said Army Lt. Col. Jonathan Ackiss, commander, DDDE.
Material on the Department of Defense annual observances was on display which nested well with the overall theme of the event. Volunteers prepared regional food and decorations which increased everyone’s willingness to learn about a new region, country and of course, the people.
The event was planned and organized by the DDDE Training Lead, Annette Johnson, and the DLA Europe and Africa Equal Employment Opportunity Lead Del Sosatoledo, who really ran with the project — soliciting volunteers, designing decorations and setting-up a first class event.
Events like this underscore the importance of DLA’s People and Culture Plan, which is the ability to attract, develop and retain a diverse, skilled and agile workforce - vital to our continued success as the nation’s combat logistics support agency.
“From the commander perspective this event was really about breaking down barriers and investing some time in our workforce with the goal of positively shaping our organizational culture,” said Ackiss, continuing, “Regardless of where we’re from, we have more things that unite us than divide us and our Diversity Day was simply a platform for this to be discovered.”
“Workers have approached me saying this was the nicest event they’ve see in the 15 to 20 years they have worked here at DDDE which really speaks to the quality of the product Annette and Del put together,” said Ackiss.