NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Roger West, Director Logistics at United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, visited Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Oct. 10. The purpose of the visit was to receive an overview of DLA, learn of and discuss DLA Distribution’s mission and deployable capabilities and receive a tour of DLA Distribution Susquehanna Pennsylvania’s Eastern Distribution Center.
Following an office call with Twila C. Gonzales, SES, deputy commander, DLA Distribution, West received an informal command brief. Topics of discussion around the table included defining policy, vendor compliance, audit responsibility, suspended stock and its challenges, strategic and interagency partnerships, DLA’s Strategic Plan and how Distribution recognizes the importance of the people and culture pillar of that plan.
The discussion prompted West to ask the question “How do you change culture?”
Perry L. Knight, chief of staff, DLA Distribution, provided, “You measure it. We use a Denison survey—completely anonymous—and we measure how well we’re doing based on feedback from employees. We recognize a problem and hold leaders accountable. Five years ago we focused on speed, now we focus on quality.”
Gonzales shared with West the information taken from the survey largely contributes to the success of DLA Distribution. “We use what we learn from that survey to improve our business operations.”
West then toured DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania’s Eastern Distribution Center—the largest warehouse in the Department of Defense—where he saw various operational areas in action.