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.
Name: Richard ‘Mark’ Tippit
Organization: DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City
Years of service: 42 years
What is your job title and what do you do specifically? I work as a material support technician within the shop service center on Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. I process parts received from outside vendors so they can get paid, and the material is available in inventory. I also use various programs to adjust the stock levels to meet the needs of our customers and the aircraft mechanics.
How do you support the warfighter? I support the warfighter by making sure we have parts ready and available on our shelves when the mechanics need them. As a result, we are able to deliver parts to them quicky by receiving and warehousing the material in the same area where the repairs are being made. I am constantly looking for ways to improve our processes by maximizing space so more parts can be brought into inventory.
What do you like most about your job and why? When I think about what I like most about my job, I have to put my co-workers at the top of the list. I have a great group of people around me. They truly care about what we do and want to make a real difference.
If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the team that supports the greatest military in the world. It’s such an honor to stand with you, and God bless you for your sacrifice and service to our great county!
Professionally, where do you see yourself five years from now? My plan is to retire in five years, but I’ll be busy working at my church, traveling, fishing, and keeping up with whatever activities my wife has planned for me.
What’s the most thrilling/adventurous thing you have ever done? During a trip to the Caribbean, my wife and I explored the edge of an underwater canyon inside a tiny 20-person submarine. When you begin to imagine the consequences of an engine problem or something else over an abyss, it gets more than a bit unnerving.
What is your favorite military aircraft? Why? The Air Force B-52 bomber is my absolute favorite aircraft because its old like me and still going strong!
What is your proudest accomplishment and why? A coworker and I created over 2000 new locations for materials within our SSC last year. This greatly increased the amount of product we made available to our customer in a minimal delivery time.