BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
The Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services North East region has achieved significant progress throughout the year.
“As an entire region, we made a generational leap into a new level of auditability and accountability with our transition to the new Warehouse Management System,” said Beth Ford, director of Defense logistics Agency Disposition Services North East region.
“We also began conducting summits focused on improving various mission areas, including our Management and Program Analysts, Equipment Specialists, Area Managers, and Wage Supervisors.”
Ford highlighted the team's involvement during the testing phase of the system, allowing them to adapt operations for enhanced efficiency upon its full implementation.
Initially, the team considered this as creating temporary solutions, Ford noted, but soon they realized the new process flow increased productivity and provides visual indicators as to what step a pallet of property is on in the receiving process. So, when another employee walks into the receiving area, they know the exact status of the property and what they need to do next.
Additionally, summits targeting various mission areas played a pivotal role in the region's growth. Ford particularly emphasized the impact of the Wage Supervisor Summit, acknowledging the pivotal role these supervisors play in supporting the Warfighter and maintaining employee morale.
“Those key employees have a greater impact on our Warfighter support and employee morale than anyone else in the chain of command,” Ford said.
The year also witnessed substantial facility improvements across different sites. Projects such as renovations at the DLA Disposition Services in Richmond and a large-scale modernization project in Norfolk aimed to improve the quality of workspaces and operational efficiency.
A multi-year project at the Ft. Meade, Maryland, site received its final environmental approval to improve the outdoor storage area, scrap yard, and scales and will proceed in 2024, according to Ford.
Disposition Services Susquehanna became the first site in the Region to have a Military Construction project added to the Disposition Services MILCON list. Ford said that it would modernize the facility and capabilities for one of the largest and busiest sites in Disposition Services.
“DSD North East is a highly functioning team that is providing awesome Warfighter support,” Ford said, “as evidenced by Mr. Cannon recognizing five key leaders with the Superior Service Award for their efforts during the recent DLA Disposition Services Senior Leader Summit.”
Ford said they would continue to focus on safety, taking care of each other, and continue providing awesome support to the Warfighter into 2024.