FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
Greg Coleman, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas operations officer in Houston, Texas, earned the 2023 Blacks in Government Military Meritorious Service Award for his work advocating for African American diversity and inclusion in his public and community service.
Coleman will be recognized during an awards ceremony Aug. 29 at BIG’s National Training Institute at National Harbor, Maryland.
“It is great to be recognized for the work I’ve accomplished in and out of the office,” Coleman said. “It is nice to know the work I do doesn’t go unrecognized, no matter how big or small the task may be.”
Coleman plans, organizes, and directs daily operations for the DLA Energy Americas region, which includes the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America. He also reviews operational fuel requirements and determines fuel availability for Defense Department missions and contingency operations. In addition, he manages International Fuel Agreements and works with American Embassy officials and officials in foreign military services to obtain approvals for fuel support agreements.
Recently, Coleman coupled his international agreements and fuels subject matter expertise to build relationships and reach consensus across multi-ethnic groups in Honduras and Haiti. In Honduras, he helped moved negotiations closer to a new fuel agreement supporting critical logistics requirements. In Haiti, he provided contingency fuel support to the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Agency for International Development operations.
“Mr. Greg Coleman is an exceptional operations officer, leader, and mentor responsible for hard hitting, positive impacts across DLA Energy Americas and in the African American community,” said DLA Energy Americas Director of Operations Support Ben Beadles. “Greg consistently and admirably solves any problem set thrown his direction.”
In his local community, Coleman volunteers at the Tae Kwon Do studio where his daughter studies assisting the master instructors during weekly training and at competition events. For the past five years, Coleman has volunteered at the Houston Food Bank collecting and distributing food and school supplies for disadvantaged community members in the Houston area.
At work, Coleman supports the Combined Federal Campaign by encouraging other members of DLA Energy Americas to give back to their chosen charities. As a leader and mentor, Coleman lends his expertise, experience and advocacy when hiring, on-boarding, and training new employees.
“Greg imparts a strong work ethic, builds up his coworkers to achieve success, and provides solid advocacy for challenges faced by African Americas employees in the federal workforce,” said DLA Energy Americas Commander Army Col. Josiel Carrasquillo. “He has a clear passion for others to succeed, promoting a positive and inclusive professional environment.”
National Blacks in Government is one of DOD’s diversity affinity groups. It focuses on the need for African Americans in public service to organize around issues of mutual concern and use their collective strength to confront workplace and community issues. Other affinity groups include the Federal Asian/Pacific American Council, Federally Employed Women, League of United Latin American Citizens, and Society of American Indian Government Employees.