Can you tell us about yourself?
I’ve been married to my husband Rod for 25 years and we have 2 young adult children – Andrew (24) and Jessica (18). I was raised on a farm in Kansas and was the first family member to go to college and earn a bachelor’s degree. I wanted to see the world and joined the U.S. Navy. I retired after 25 years of military service and opened a music therapy business for 7 years that closed due to COVID-19. I started working for DLA Disposition Services in 2020 as the operations chief for Norfolk Disposition Services, and became the area manager shortly after reporting. I was assigned as DSD South East Director in December 2021. I absolutely love the mission of DLA Disposition Services and how we solve the reverse logistics problems for the warfighter and save billions of dollars for the taxpayer.
Describe your job in a sentence or two.
Serving our team members in DSD South-East to ensure they have the resources, tools, training and time to do their jobs safely and efficiently.
What is your area of responsibility?
Director, DSD South East
How long have you worked for the federal government including military service?
27 years
How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services?
1 ½ years
What is your favorite thing about your line of work?
Taking care of personnel (recognition, appraisals) ensuring they have resources to operate safely, and to solve problems for our generators.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Never forget where you came from (my mom), always be humble, serve others and always be grateful.
What is your favorite memory with DLA Disposition Services?
Learning something new every day and serving dedicated team members. Every truck we receive is a new adventure…you never know what you are going to receive or discover.
What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
Willingness to listen, learn and serve others.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Praise and recognize team members in public, and hold team member accountable and responsible.
What keeps you motivated?
Starting every day by thinking "How can I add value to others?", having a servant heart and ensuring our team has the resources to do their job safely and efficiently.
What are your best practices for achieving goals or accomplishing tasks?
Always be learning! Preparation, practice, work hard, ask for assistance if needed, establish realistic and achievable goals, measure and adjust if needed. When a goal is achieved, stop and CELEBRATE!
Why is networking to build professional relationships so important in achieving success?
Networking is critical. Our jobs are about relationships, helping others and learning how we can collaborate and work together to share resources to complete the mission.
What was your first job?
Babysitting my brothers and church organist (neither one paid anything but were jobs).
What is your best memory of working here?
Learning the reutilization process to save other agencies money. Specifically, receiving over 52 pallets of hand sanitizer and seeing how the RTD process works. Most of the sanitizer went to the Federal Prison Systems.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Flight attendant (I wanted to travel and see the world).
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Go on a pilgrimage and tour to the Holy Lands.
What is your favorite quote?
Maya Angelou – “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
What are your hobbies?
Anything physical - jogging, walking, strength training, playing sports, traveling, reading and music.