RICHMOND, Va. –
Scott Carpenter, chief of Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Cherry Point’s Planning and Support Division, has earned recognition as the level 4 DLA Leader of the Year award, a testament to his transformative leadership and innovative contributions.
Carpenter oversees support for the Navy’s largest industrial support activity, Fleet Readiness Center East, managing a complex supply chain that spans aircraft, engines, and components critical to the warfighter’s mission.
Carpenter’s path to DLA leadership is deeply rooted in his diverse professional background. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Carpenter began his career in aviation supply, where he developed a leadership style emphasizing problem-solving at the lowest level and empowering team decisions. After leaving the service, Carpenter pursued positions in supply chain management and operations, while eventually earning a degree in Operations and Supply Chain Management. This foundation prepared him for his transition to DLA in 2015, where he steadily rose through the ranks.
“Joining DLA felt like the logical next step in my career,” said Carpenter. “The work-life balance and sense of purpose here align perfectly with my values.”
With a leadership style centered on trust and empowerment, Carpenter fosters a culture of innovation by encouraging his team to challenge established norms.
“One thing I learned early in my career is to be proactive and seek to learn as much as possible,” he said. “I was never a fan of being in a swim lane when it comes to work, and I constantly seek to learn what others are doing and how it impacts my role. Having a broader knowledge of DLA and our customers has helped me focus my efforts on what matters. Sometimes we can get stuck in processes that no longer add value, and it can make us feel like we aren’t contributing to the mission. Understanding the big picture helps to avoid those pitfalls and sparks creative thinking.”
According to Carpenter’s nomination form, Navy Cmdr. Edwin Jimenez, officer in charge of DLA Aviation at Cherry Point, said, “Mr. Carpenter’s mindset is that in an ever-changing environment, influenced by world events and FRC East production, we must adapt, become resilient and make the most efficient use of the assets available to us.”
This approach has led to significant process improvements, such as reducing repetitive tasks and enhancing resource allocation.
Under Carpenter’s guidance, his team not only saves taxpayer dollars but also ensures mission readiness. His strategic oversight of 104 customer material forecast overrides and adjustments to 897 purchase requisitions resulted in $26 million in savings while increasing production throughput.
In a high-stakes environment, Carpenter balances readiness with fiscal responsibility. By focusing on accurate material planning and collaborative decision-making, his team has mitigated both over- and under-procurement. Carpenter’s innovative leadership was instrumental in refining forecasting models, optimizing inventory, and aligning financial resources with critical operational needs.
“He ensures that changes in production schedules requiring deviation from the gross demand plan are verified before implementing any material planning adjustments,” said Jimenez.
“Finding a balance between readiness and fiscal stewardship is difficult but not impossible, “Carpenter said, emphasizing the importance of financial management in a dynamic operational environment. “Sharing risk with our customers has helped in this arena by educating stakeholders on potential outcomes of decisions and helping make informed decisions inside and outside of DLA. We have been able to free up capital investment more rapidly by removing planning parameters on items no longer needed in a timely manner, allowing those resources to be allocated to much-needed future requirements.”
Collaboration has been a cornerstone of Carpenter’s success. His work with Naval Supply Systems Command and other stakeholders has enhanced data sharing and process transparency. A joint SharePoint platform, spearheaded by Carpenter, streamlined communication between DLA and FRCE, reducing errors and fostering real-time decision-making.
“Mr. Carpenter is unwavering in granting his team autonomy and authority to serve the warfighter and DLA effectively, resulting in enhanced customer support and prudent financial management of taxpayer dollars,” Jimenez said.
Carpenter envisions a future where DLA Aviation Cherry Point continues to evolve alongside its operational environment. He remains committed to his team’s professional growth and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
“Receiving this award has been humbling and encouraging at the same time,” said Carpenter. “There are a lot of great leaders within DLA, and I am very thankful for being submitted for this award. I don’t ever want to take for granted the skills God has given me. I want to steward them well and pass them on to whoever is willing to receive them.”