FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
A Defense Logistics Agency leader who began her career as an intern at DLA Troop Support in 2001 has been selected as the Defense Logistics Agency’s new chief of staff.
Karyn Runstrom is currently DLA’s deputy chief information officer and has also served as acting chief of staff since early April upon the retirement of former DLA Chief of Staff Eric Smith.
“It is truly an honor to be selected for this position, and I’m humbled and excited to have the opportunity to serve DLA in a broader, more strategic role,” she said.
DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly announced the selection in an email to senior leaders.
“Ms. Runstrom has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the DLA mission, having served as deputy director, DLA Information Operations, since August 2019, as well as multiple other roles in her career with DLA,” he wrote.
Driven by a desire to make a difference and support the nation’s warfighters, Runstrom soared from her initial internship as a traffic management specialist to the agency’s upper ranks. She became a GS-15 by age 29 while working for DLA Logistics Operations and was inducted in December 2019 into the Senior Executive Service before turning 40.
Prior to becoming DLA’s deputy CIO in November 2019, Runstrom was deputy executive director for DLA Logistics Operations’ Logistics, Policy and Strategic Programs Directorate, which developed policy for key business and supply chain management functions. Before that, she led an agency-wide initiative to integrate logistics operations and information technology.
Runstom also headed DLA’s Planning Improvement Effort, a 2014 program that increased the agency’s ability to forecast demand. In 2011, she led inventory management and stock position changes at Navy Fleet Readiness Centers as mandated by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure initiative.
As DLA chief of staff, Runstrom will oversee DLA staff operations in strategic planning, enterprise integration, organizational governance, strategic communications, legislative affairs and installation management. Her portfolio also includes integration and oversight of the following teams: equal employment opportunity, small business programs, public affairs, intelligence, inspector general, protocol and the director’s staff group.