RICHMOND, VA –
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: Nicole Brown
Organization: DLA Aviation at Cherry Point
Years of Service: 15
What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically? I am a customer support specialist within the Requisition Maintenance Cell working backordered material in support of the warfighter. I reach out to outside sources in search of material to fill backorders to relieve our customers’ constraints in order to get the end item, i.e. aircraft, back to the warfighter.
What do you like most about your job? First and foremost, supporting the warfighter. Second, I thrive on change and challenges I am faced with them every day. I yearn for more and enjoy seeking out situations that need more attention. I am always seeking better ways to understand DLA more as a whole.
What is your fondest memory of working for DLA Aviation? There are so many good memories that I couldn’t begin to tell my fondest. However, I would have to say the best period of time was when I worked in inventory. I have made many lifelong friends and gained so much experience through everyone I worked with during that time.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction and why? My most personal satisfaction is the constant learning experiences I have gained with the tasks I am assigned and the knowledge I have received from my fellow coworkers. At times, I miss being around them now that we must be socially distanced, but we always find was to help each other out and entertain each other from a distance. If it wasn’t for the tight knit environment we have, I wouldn’t be able to perform as well as I do every day.
What was your first job? I was a cashier at a small local pharmacy and gift shop in the suburbs of Chicago.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? Thriving in my axe-throwing business, and more knowledgeable and hopefully in a higher-level position within DLA.
What is the most surprising/unexpected thing others don’t know about you? I was a professional florist for three years before joining the Marines at 21. I also own and ride a Harley.
What are some of your passions outside of work? I own an axe throwing business and I spend most of my personal time there practicing and being as proficient as I can for future competitions.
What’s the most thrilling/adventurous thing you have ever done? Impromptu hiking a mountain at Manchu Picchu, Peru and Australian rappelling with Republic of Korea Marines.
If you could pick a personal motto, what would it be? The only one who can say “can’t” is the one who died trying.
If you could start your life over again, what would you do differently? If I could do it all over again, I would rid myself of self-doubt.
What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment was serving as a watchstander for embassy duty in Hong Kong and Jamaica when I was in the Marines.
What five things could you absolutely not live without? My daughter, cats, Japanese food, my Harley, and music! Music is life!
What is/are your favorite book(s), television show(s) or movie(s)? My favorite book of all time is Dale Carnagie’s ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’. I highly recommended it!
What type of music do you most enjoy? Heavy metal is my favorite, but I listen to everything. Like I stated before, music is life!