BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Annette Reggio
Property Disposal Specialist
Battle Creek, Michigan
Describe your job in a sentence or two: I work in controlled property in the Receipt Branch. We work to prevent the release of controlled property. I specifically manage most of the EBS business rules for the Receipt Branch, and review EBS and DSS for demil code, integrity code and demil challenge errors.
How long have you worked for the federal government including military service? Over 10 years with Disposition Services, 3 years as a government contractor, plus over 15 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services? Over 10 years.
What is your favorite thing about your line of work? I get to do a lot of analysis work, which I enjoy. I have a background in mathematics, and never thought that I’d use it in a place like DLA Disposition Services.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? When things go awry, don’t get into the blame game. Figure out what needs to be done, and what your chain of command can help you with. Blaming others just gets in the way of fixing the problem.
What do you think about when you hear “Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month? There are usually a wide variety of cultures to learn about, to include lots of fun activities over the years. I can remember hula from various Pacific islands to Chinese calligraphy and Tai Chi. I would love to see origami folding once we are past the pandemic.
What challenge remain for Asian American Pacific Islander today? How can understanding history help us to overcome them? The Asia Pacific region is the largest in the world, with a great variety of cultures and peoples. It is hard to break out of the stereotypes sometimes that bind us. There is more to the Chinese than Chinese takeout, and more to Hawaiians than hula. Each culture has their own set of values, history and ideas that make that culture so unique and precious. The goal of events held during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is to give everyone glimpses into the lives of these people, and hopefully make us feel just a little bit closer to them.
What is your best memory of working here? It was one of my first days working here in the building. I was missing Hawaii, which is where I grew up. I had found some Kim Chi at the local store, and thought I’d bring it in. As I started eating it at my desk, one of my coworkers pulled me aside, and recommended that I might not want to eat it in the office, as it was a bit stinky. At the time I thought it was a bit shocking that he would tell me this, but now I just laugh and find the entire scene funny.
Who is your hero? My mom. She was born in Papua New Guinea in the middle of World War II. As a baby, her family was being moved by the Japanese on some boats when Americans fired upon them. As my grandmother held her, both were shot by bullets and shrapnel. It is amazing that she survived, and she still has those scars today. She has survived two bouts of breast cancer, and is also a retired teacher of almost 50 years. My mom is a great woman, and has been an inspiration to many.
What are your hobbies? Hiking, baking, and listening to audiobooks.
Employee spotlight regularly features outstanding personnel from throughout the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services and other DLA organizations located at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. Organizational directors may submit feature request to DLA Disposition Services Public Affairs.