NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Michael Pier, of Defense Logistics Agency Human Resources Services, and customer account manager for DLA Distribution, is the recipient of the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
DLA Distribution Deputy Commander, Perry L. Knight, pinned the medal on Pier in a short ceremony held during the command’s leadership summit Oct. 27.
His award citation states, “Pier served with great distinction as the DLA Distribution customer account manager in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, from 2017-2022. The innovations in human resources implemented by Pier during the COVID-19 pandemic enables DLA Distribution to optimize its global distribution system. His work provided DLA Distribution with its greatest resource: it’s people.
Pier created a significant and lasting impact on the organization and the military warfighters that DLA Distribution supports. The people he brought to DLA Distribution increased logistics excellence and maximized warfighting capability and efficiency. Through their hands, Pier touched thousands.”
Receiving the award was quite a surprise for Pier, who said, “It is an honor to receive this award. It is a great feeling to be valued by my customer and to see that my teams’ efforts have made an impact.”
Pier has been with DLA for 15 years and spent approximately 10 of those years serving DLA Distribution in varying roles. He’s been in a CAM role since October 2017.
“DLA Distribution provides HR [human resources] practitioners with variety and volume of work. I have learned so much working with this customer and the challenges presented, which in many ways are unique within DLA,” said Pier.
Of his time with DLA Distribution, Pier said working during the initial COIVD-19 pandemic was the most challenging.
“Hands down, the absolute most difficult part of supporting the customer during the initial and enduring phases of the pandemic was ensuring information was shared. In the early days, things were changing hour to hour, and we had to ensure Distribution Command, down to the first line supervisors we aware of the changes so they could support their teams appropriately. These open lines of communication and partnership were essential to success.”
Pier’s next assignment will be strategic talent leader in the Office of Human Capital for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.