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: Jason Howell
Organization: DLA Aviation at Oklahoma City’s Material Management Division
Years of service: 6 years
What is your job title and what do you do specifically? I am a material support specialist in the shop service center. I work hand-in-hand with our internal and external customers to better serve the Airforce’s E3 Airborne Warning and Control System Sentry, and the B52 Stratofortress and B1 Lancer bombers.
What do you like most about your job and why? What I like most about my job is knowing that I help supply the parts needed to get the aircraft back in the sky for the warfighter.
What is your fondest memory of working for DLA Aviation? Some of my memories of working at DLA Aviation took place during our team building events. We’ve gone on excursions such as bowling or out to eat at Swadley’s BBQ restaurant in Midwest City, Oklahoma. No matter the activity, I always have a great time and feels like it brings us closer together, making us better as a team.
What are your best practices for achieving goals or accomplishing tasks? What I have found to work when accomplishing tasks and achieving goals has been learning how to communicate with others. This really helps if you’re working as a team.
What are some of your passions outside of work? Outside of work I love to spend time with my family. Whether I’m coaching my two son’s basketball teams or fishing, it is done as a family.
What is your favorite military aircraft? Why? One of my favorite planes would have to be the E3 AWACS. I grew up next to Tinker Air Force base, in Del City, Oklahoma, and I would see them flying around our house. I thought they were unique with the disc on top and I been fascinated with them ever since.
Have you had a mentor that helped you grow in your career? If so who, and how did they help? While working at DLA, I met Shaun Brown, a supervisory distribution facilities specialist in my division. He’s a great mentor who has been there for me since day one. Shaun is patient when teaching new tasks and if there is something he doesn’t know how to do he’ll find someone to teach us both. He has been a wonderful leader and friend.