NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Gene Surmacz has been selected to serve as Defense Logistics Agency Distribution’s next chief of staff. Surmacz, who has been serving as acting chief of staff since July 13, 2020, previously held the position of director of Acquisition since 2004.
Surmacz retired from the Army in 2002 at the rank of Lt. Col. He began his Army career as an armor officer for the 24th Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Georgia, and then the 3rd Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany serving in various positions to include Tank Platoon leader, Scout Platoon leader, Battalion Maintenance officer, Tank Company commander and Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander.
In 1990, he transitioned to the Army Acquisition Corps and became the warranted contracting officer and team chief for the Firefinder Radar Spares at Communication and Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.
The following year, he became the contract administrator for the Army’s Research and Development contract with the Mitre Corporation. In 1992, he became U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command’s director of Base Support Operations and Automated Data Processing Purchasing.
In 1995, he was transferred to Fort Lee, Virginia, where he served as the senior procurement officer of Combined Arms Support Command. In 1998, he moved to Pennsylvania and became the director of the Move and Store Material Commodity Business Unit for DLA Troop Support in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two years later, he became the deputy director of the Benchstock Commodity Unit and finally, he became the commodity business manager, chief ground support at Troop Support before moving to New Cumberland to serve as the director of Acquisition Operations.
Surmacz is a graduate of Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Monmouth University, Monmouth, New Jersey. His Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certifications include level III certification in contracting and level II certification in program management.
His awards include two Sustained Superior Performance Awards, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Draper Armor leadership Award for leadership and tactical excellence.
“Gene is an exceptional leader with great integrity. His care for the organization, our workforce and our mission is genuine and is demonstrated daily,” said Brig. Gen. Keith Reventlow, DLA Distribution’s commanding general. His varied career, his resourcefulness, innovative thinking and his strive for excellence were evident while he served as director for our Acquisition Operations; he’s already proven that he’s the right person to round out the Distribution command leadership team.”