BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Contracting Officer Len Hatton was recently named the new Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services “Culture Champion.”
The appointment was announced in a recent email to the workforce by Army Col. Franyate Taylor, DLA Disposition Services’ acting director.
Hatton has been with DLA for three years and is currently serving in J-72 Acquisition Operations.
“I am responsible for cradle-to-grave execution and oversight of myriad contracts in support of the procurement of the goods and services for the DLA Disposition Services mission,” Hatton said. “This runs the gamut from truck scale service to software subscriptions. You need it, I get it!”
Prior to joining DLA, Hatton retired from the Navy Reserve and worked in the paper packaging industry as a maintenance engineer, maintenance supervisor, power plant manager and regional procurement director.
Hatton said this is his first opportunity to join the culture committee in Battle Creek. He was previously involved while at DLA Land and Maritime in Warren, Michigan.
When asked why he was interested he said, “The opportunity to help influence change for the better. From my business studies, I’ve learned that the most successful organizations continue to change and evolve over time. Those that resist change fail.”
Hatton said he enjoys playing golf, fishing and walking the Kalhaven Trail. He enjoys military history, especially WWI and the battles along the Isonzo in Italy. He also likes Ernest Hemingway’s books The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms.
One of his favorite quotes comes from a longer quote by Charles R. Swindoll, titled “Others Above Self.”
Circling back to culture, he added, “Culture is defined by influencing the members of an organization into doing positive actions, not necessarily because they are specified by rules and regulations, but because they feel they are valued members of the organization.”