RICHMOND, Va. –
The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation inducted two new members – Donald “Don” Love and Donna Carter – into its esteemed Hall of Fame during an Oct. 15 ceremony in the Frank B. Lotts Conference Center on Defense Supply Center Richmond.
Since its inception in 2004, the Hall of Fame has recognized former Aviation employees who provided exceptional service, leadership and innovation throughout their careers. The annual ceremony celebrates the dedication of individuals whose achievements significantly contributed to Aviation’s warfighter support.
The ceremony – attended by Aviation leaders, previously inducted Hall of Fame members, current and former employees, and the inductees’ friends and family – began with a welcome from the organization’s top boss.
“Don and Donna, your stellar careers and contributions to DLA Aviation and the Department of Defense have left a great mark on our organization and we’re grateful for the opportunity to recognize your achievements,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Chad Ellsworth, DLA Aviation commander.
Love and Carter each led numerous initiatives and organizational operations during their time with DLA. Their work resulted in innovative approaches to supply chain management that helped reshape supplier and contracting operations.
Both inductees shared heartfelt reflections on their careers, recounting their challenges and the time spent with teams that supported them. Their stories emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving logistics excellence.
“One thing I learned about teams from working on so many cross-functional teams is that we get better results when we work together,” said Carter, who served at DLA Aviation for most of her 35 years in the federal government before retiring in 2020. “Team players will give you different ways of looking at things so that you can make better decisions.”
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is more than just a celebration of individual achievements, it also embodies DLA Aviation’s commitment to a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. It serves as a reminder of the agency’s rich history and the individuals who helped shape its legacy, and an inspiration to future generations of employees to strive for excellence and make their own lasting marks.
“I’m going to talk about 12 of the many people that have impacted my life and my career,” said Love, who for 45 years has supported the Defense Department as a government employee and – still today – as a contractor. “While there are hundreds, if not thousands, that I should be thanking, due to the time constraints, I can only focus on a few.”
As Aviation looks to the future, the legacies of these remarkable individuals will continue to guide and motivate others within the organization to strive for excellence and contribute to the mission in meaningful ways.
“I want to thank this year’s inductees for their lifetimes of dedication, commitment, and contributions to DLA Aviation and the Department of Defense,” Ellsworth said. “Their leadership and expertise have been invaluable to our mission, and they will always be a part of the DLA Aviation family.”