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: Antwine Ray
Organization: DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City
Years of service: 15 years
What is your job title and what do you do specifically? I work in a warehouse as a material expediter where I research the material for correctness, quantity, and destination before I ship it out to the other warehouses and shops. I also support the inventory management specialists by providing them information pertaining to briefings and buy packages.
What do you like most about your job and why? My job contributes significantly to bringing the warfighter home safely. Having this responsibility is something really important to me and truly makes me feel like I matter in this world, especially to the warfighter.
If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? I would tell the warfighter, “Thank you, and may God be with you and your family.”
What do you see as your biggest challenge right now? Motivating some of the new employees that get easily distracted can be a challenge. It is important to get them focused on making good choices that will produce the right outcomes.
What are some of your passions outside of work? I love to hike up mountains and walk trails because it clears my mind and connects me to nature. The best part is the happiness I feel when I make it to the top of a mountain, and the satisfaction that follows when I make it back down to my car. My goal this year is to run to the top of Mount Scott, an elevation of over 2,400 feet located in the Wichita Mountain range of Oklahoma.
If you could pick a personal motto, what would it be and why? My motto would be that if you’re looking for the person who will change your life, look in the mirror. Life will teach you that all you need is to believe in yourself.
Have you ever been a mentor to a co-worker or other employee? If so, how did you help them grow? I have been able to mentor a few coworkers by showing them respect and open-mindedness, while I had to impart on others the importance of choosing their battles wisely and to let negative things go.
My own mentor is Richard Schwing, deputy commander of DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City. Quite some time ago, he took a moment to say “Hi” to me and asked me how I was doing. His sincere interest in my response made me realize how significant we all are at our jobs in DLA, no matter what our grade or position is.