COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –
Military units that require printing solutions reach out to Ben Funkhouser, a seasoned procurement specialist for Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services-Document Services site at Fort Carson, Colorado.
The Defense Department published
DOD Instruction 5330.03, appointing DLA Document Services as the primary provider of printing services, office print devices and electronic conversion services.
Funkhouser, the only print procurement specialist in Colorado, says he stays busy by evaluating customer requests and identifying the most economical option, in addition to the best overall value.
“In time-sensitive situations like providing books for deployed soldiers, we prioritize meeting deadlines and ensuring durable products, like our semi-synthetic stock, resistant to tearing and water damage,” Funkhouser said. “Rather than just fulfilling requests, our focus is on delivering solutions that offer the best economy of scale, making each tax dollar count.”
In nearby Colorado Springs is one of Funkhouser’s customers, the U.S. Air Force Academy.
The welcome center for the Academy is, for some members of the public, their first impression of the Air Force, and they use Document Services and Funkhouser to make that impression.
Harry Lundy is currently the digital marketing specialist for the Air Force Academy, but prior to that he was the director of the visitor center and worked with Funkhouser on several projects.
Lundy said they had Funkhouser produce a large wall cling of the Academy’s falcon symbol and have it installed on a wall in the welcome center.
“It's a great photo opportunity for Instagram,” Lundy said. “You'll see them pose and take selfies in front of this giant Falcon that's on the wall and embedded in that is a QR code and when you scan the QR code it takes you to our web page.”
In his current position Lundy said he called upon Funkhouser last fall for a last-minute product. Each fall the Academy host the Air Force’s Commander Conference commonly referred to as Corona. This conference dates to WWII and brings together three- and four-star generals to discuss the road forward for the Air Force.
Days before the start of last year’s conference Lundy reached out with a project that he needed the next day. Lundy’s team had concerns that the short deadline would be missed or that the price would be over their budget. “Ben was able to get the quote, and get the product printed that day,” Lundy said. It was such a big lifesaver. Everybody was really impressed with that with that level of quick turn around.”
“When someone is saying, “I've been doing this for a while, I think this is the best way to do it,” you know you want to take advantage of that institutional knowledge that they have.” Lundy said. “I appreciate working with Ben on these projects.”
Space Force Col. Luke Sauter holds the position of Permanent Professor & Department Head, Astronautics at the Academy.
The Astronautics department reached out to Funkhouser when they wanted to update the look of their facilities. One of their ideals was for a wall simulating a view of the earth from space.
Using a NASA image and some of his own creative digital editing work, Funkhouser was able to bring that vision to life.
“Seeing the star field that is set up here, the planet, helps the cadets understand the mission and where we are going,” Sauter said.
Air Force Lt. Colonel Dan Showalter is an Assistant Professor of Astronautics at the academy and manages their satellite program.
Showalter said when it was time for the space satellite program’s museum to be refreshed. He reached out to Funkhouser.
“When we brought him over, it was really a blank canvas,” Showalter said. “He came up with some great ideals, steered us away from some bad ideals, from things he knew wouldn’t work from both a visual and graphic standpoint. Ben was awesome.”