BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
The Palm Garden Room at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center smelled of flapjacks and buzzed of amusement as employees lined up for breakfast cooked by their senior leaders.
Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services employees in Battle Creek, Michigan, were invited to stop by for a pancake, or two, at the annual holiday breakfast Dec. 10.
For 30 years, Disposition Services senior leaders have hosted a holiday event for the headquarters workforce -- this year, opening it up to all DLA employees in the building.
"It’s great to see our tradition of coming together for a holiday breakfast continue to grow, with so many employees from across the building joining us, and I'm proud of our team for making it happen,” DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon said. “I enjoy the opportunity to serve the workforce in a different way, trading meetings for spatulas and griddles, and sharing in the joy of the season together.”
Jenny Wieland, a DLA Logistics Operations program analyst and new DLA employee, attended her first holiday breakfast and was impressed by the camaraderie on display.
“It was a great morale boosting event. I enjoyed seeing everyone and meeting new people,” she said. “Seeing leadership make the pancakes for the employees gives me a sense of caring for the organization and its people.”
A virtual fireplace adorned the presentation screen in the room, while the syrup fountain and holiday cookies added additional seasonal ambiance to the event.
Many employees incited laughter and delight by donning their best holiday apparel. Holiday-themed sweaters and a suit illuminated with holiday lights were spread throughout the crowd.
“I love seeing everyone gather to laugh, smile, and chat,” Disposition Services Workforce Development Branch Chief Jenny Norvey said. “So many times, we are stuck at our desks in work mode, it was nice to see everyone in their festive holiday sweaters, mingling and jolly!”
The annual holiday breakfast event is more than just a chance to flip pancakes and feed the workforce - it's also a friendly and longstanding competition among senior leaders to see who can cook the best pancakes, with bragging rights on the line for the best culinary creation.
For his first holiday breakfast, DLA Disposition Services Deputy Director U.S. Army Col. Woodje Caldwell pulled out all the stops, adding red, green and white sprinkles to his pancakes in a bid to outdo his competitors -- Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon and Chief of Staff Pete Foreman.
Meanwhile, while the syrup has barely dried on this year's event, planning is already underway for next year's holiday breakfast.