Communicating virtually from the four corners of the globe, Defense Logistics Agency Energy directors, commanders, and deputies participated in a Commander’s Strategic Offsite Sept. 8-9.
DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas and Deputy Commander Eric Smith used Microsoft Teams to collaborate in real time to relook the DLA Energy organizational strategy.
“Our offsite focused on three deliverables: approve a new mission statement, a new vision statement, and relook our organizational strategy,” Canlas said. “We needed to examine our mission and vision since they haven’t changed since at least 2008.”
DLA Vice Director Mike Scott provided opening remarks and insight, shaping many of the discussions over the next two days.
“Our goal was to ensure our statements reflect the National Defense Strategy and that they resonate internally with the Energy team as well as our external customers,” Canlas said.
DLA Energy deputy directors facilitated each of the three teams managing the conversation and driving goals. DLA Finance Energy Deputy Director Joe Wilburn, DLA Energy Strategic Policy & Programs Deputy Director Cindy Smith and DLA Energy Americas Deputy Director Jason Exum helped keep the three teams working independently and on track to formulate the final product.
Technology helped bridge the interpersonal communication gap despite time zones and remote locations. A virtual social hour on the first day offered leaders a chance to chat openly and get to know one another since many never get a chance to meet in person.
Efforts over the two-day offsite produced new mission and vision statements and a list of deliverables due over the next 60 days.
The new mission statement is to enable mission readiness by providing globally resilient energy solutions to the Warfighter and Whole of Government. The new vision statement is to be the trusted leader in innovative energy solutions aligned with the speed of change.
“Our new DLA Energy mission and vision statement captures our aspiration to earn and retain the trust of our customers,” Canlas said. “The ink is still drying, but we are calling this a huge win for our team as we were able to capture where we want to go in the future.”