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News | Feb. 17, 2021

Employee Spotlight: Timothy Morgan

By DLA Aviation Richmond Public Affairs Office

Employee spotlight regularly features outstanding non-supervisory personnel from throughout the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and other DLA employees on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Organizational directors may submit names of employees they wish to feature in this column to DLA Aviation Public Affairs. For more information, call (804) 279-3139. 

Name: Timothy “Timmy Ray” Morgan       

Organization: DLA Aviation at Cherry Point

Years of Service: Six years with DLA, 18 years combined federal service

What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically? My job title is customer support specialist with the Material Requisition Branch at DLA Aviation at Cherry Point. I work with the team to fulfill all back orders for Fleet Readiness Center East (FRC-E) by any ethical means. 

What do you like most about your job? What I like most about my job is knowing that I make a difference by obtaining assets required by FRC-E to return ready for issue material to the warfighter to aid in their work around the world.

What kind(s) of training and education helps your work performance in your current role? I have been working at some type of parts store, Navy storekeeper, ship’s aviation storekeeper, or aftermarket automotive parts, almost all my adult life.  This has taught me how to conduct research when there isn’t an answer on a screen and find what is needed to fill an order.

What would you say has been your major contribution(s) to your organization this year in your job? I was able to locate free issue material from a former vendor who had been non-bidding government contracts.  I reached out to the vendor to discover that they were working towards retirement and downsizing. They provided the original manufacturer information and offered their remaining stock on the shelf as free issue to FRC-E “to clear the shelf.” The 100 plus pieces were inspected and approved by engineering, were able to fill 10 single inhibitors and avoided reverse engineering the item (to locally manufacture).  Additionally, it [the free issue] provided material to cover the gap until a new contract could be delivered from the supplied manufacturer from the former vendor.

What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction?  Why? The aspect of my job that gives me the most personal satisfaction is knowing that I am a part of the best team in DLA Aviation. There is a sense of pride knowing our site consistently does better number-wise with regards to material availability and reduction of unfilled orders, all while having a larger workload.

If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? I would tell them thank you for all you do 24/7, 365! You enable our freedoms and are why the United States is the best place in the world.

What was your first job? My first job was working as a pin chaser at a 64-lane bowling alley.

What advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago? Do not wait to join the ranks of civil service. Do it now!

Where do you see yourself five years from now?  In five years, I see myself still with DLA supporting our warfighters. Hopefully in a supervisory position, where I can coach and develop team members to further their careers.

Do you have an unfulfilled wish? To ride in the Goodyear blimp, as they are from my hometown of Akron, Ohio.

What is the most surprising/unexpected thing others don’t know about you? I worked as a DJ for a club in eastern North Carolina for 18 years.

What are some of your passions outside of work? College football, hunting, all-terrain vehicle riding, driving my Jeep “Stumble Bee” smoking meats and NASCAR-especially Bristol, Tennessee.

What’s the most thrilling/adventurous thing you have ever done? While stationed aboard the USS Capodanno (FF-1093) prior to transiting the Panama Canal, I flew over the canal hanging from a gunner’s sling from our onboard anti-sub helicopter.

If you could pick a personal motto, what would it be? Always care! If others don’t feel as though you care about them, they are not inclined to care about what they do for you. You never know what someone is going through and you can always make an impression on someone. Why not make it a good one?

Who is the most influential person in your life ... past or present? I would have to say my stepfather.  He was the most intelligent man I have ever known.  He consistently pushed me out of my comfort zone to be a better person in all aspects of my adult life.

Who is your favorite actor or actress and why? Cary Grant. I am dating myself a little, but I love the dry humor in all his classic movies.

What is your favorite military aircraft?  Why? My favorite military aircraft is the B-52 Stratofortress. It has been in service since 1955. No other aircraft has been around as long, yet it’s still so easily recognized.

If you could start your life over again, what would you do differently? I would not lose an appointment to the Air Force Academy by getting four speeding tickets in my senior year of high school.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Helping my son achieve Eagle Scout before he turned 18. This was his mother’s last wish before passing away from cancer when he was 14.

What five things could you absolutely not live without? My wife, our family, deer season, mud and Buckeyes football. O-H!

What is/are your favorite book(s), television show(s) or movie(s)? My two favorite shows are Seal Team and Yellowstone.

What type of music do you most enjoy? Country, classic rock and bluegrass.

Have you had a mentor that helped you grow in your career?  If so who, and how did they help? Storekeeper Command Master Chief Chopper Dillard taught me that you are only as good as the people around you.  Surround yourself with greatness, by choice or by coaching, and you will achieve great things. This still holds true to this day.

Have you ever been a mentor to a co-worker or other employee?  If so, how did you help them grow? As a general manager for a Fortune 500 company, I was able to train and develop four individuals who were all promoted to general managers within the same organization. As a result, I was rewarded and named Manager of the Year for the company.