FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
Editor’s Note: This is one of six stories featuring 2023 DLA Hall of Fame inductees. An induction ceremony will be held 2 p.m. May 18 at the McNamara Headquarters Complex auditorium at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The ceremony is open to all DLA employees; invitations are not needed.
An Air Force officer who increased material availability and transformed how the Defense Logistics Agency integrates business processes and joint operational activities is part of the 2023 DLA Hall of Fame.
Maj. Gen. Mark Johnson improved warfighter support by increasing material availability as commander of DLA Aviation for two years beginning in March 2013. Then as head of DLA Logistics Operations from July 2017 to May 2019, he stood up the Agency Synchronization and Operations Center.
At DLA Aviation, Johnson implemented a web-based system that let supply planners see essential data, alerts and possible solutions for increasing material availability. It yielded improvements in support to multiple aircraft across the fleet.
“Maj. Gen. Johnson’s focus on retail support excellence increased responsiveness through significant backorder reductions at all three major Air Force industrial support activities by DLA Aviation,” according to his nomination.
Benefits included a 20.3% reduction in industrial maintenance backorders and an increase in order response time from 86% to 92%.
He also reduced supply chain risks by championing strategic contracts with small businesses. His staff exceeded DLA Aviation’s small business goal in fiscal 2013 and 2014 for the first time since 2007.
While leading DLA Logistics Operations, Johnson worked to enhance warfighter readiness by creating the DLA Readiness Dashboard, the Defense Department’s first online management tool for weapons system readiness. The system helps ensure DLA and service metrics are aligned and enables DOD officials to view the status of parts causing readiness issues.
“The DLA Dashboard was viewed across the department as a vital connection point between DLA and its key stakeholders, as well as a model for future efforts,” says the nomination.
DLA’s support to U.S. Northern Command following hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria also occurred during Johnson’s tenure. He oversaw support across two combatant commands totaling $1.3 billion in material and services, including delivery of over 900 generators to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Puerto Rico as well as $225 million worth of power poles, cables and electrical materials used to restore local power grids.