RICHMOND, Va. –
Employee spotlights regularly feature outstanding nonsupervisory personnel from throughout the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and other DLA employees on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Organizational directors may submit the names of employees they wish to feature in this column to DLA Aviation Public Affairs.
Name: Michael Black
Organizational directorate/division: Material Management (Technical Quality) at DLA Aviation at Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Years of service: 12 years at DLA; 20 total years in government.
Are you prior military? Former Marine corporal. I worked four years in supply.
What is your job title, and what do you do? As a lead retail product specialist, my job is to handle everything technical related to the material master records. Technical quality is crucial to the warfighter, ensuring that quality, discrepant-free material is available to them in a timely manner. Everything flows and or starts from technical quality which is such a great challenge and opportunity.
Why did you decide to work for DLA? Work-life balance and advancement opportunities.
How do you support the warfighter? I diligently ensure that quality material is purchased and is discrepancy free. This is a role in which I take great pride.
What do you like most about your job and why? I love that I can share with others my vast knowledge and be just a small fraction of other employees’ success, inspiring them to reach their full potential.
What is your fondest memory of working for DLA Aviation? There are so many that it is hard to pick one, so I will name two. The first is being hired as a GS-07 supply technician, which enabled me to strive for several additional promotions. The second is being DLA Aviation at Cherry Point’s Culture Advisory Committee co-chairman for many years. This is a role which has made me feel so proud. I am honored to have worked with such outstanding professionals on the committee, past and present. Our work on the committee has enabled us to leave a positive lasting impact on the culture at DLA Aviation at Cherry Point.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction? The aspects of my job that give me the most personal satisfaction are having the opportunity to train others and be trained in this crucial job – technical quality. Lastly, being empowered to lead and mentor others; it’s amazing.
What do you see as your biggest challenge right now? The biggest challenge is to change with the times, not just professionally but personally.
What are your best practices for achieving goals or accomplishing tasks? My best advice for achieving goals is to believe in yourself, write your goals down and set reasonable deadlines with checkpoints along the way. To accomplish tasks, always do the hard ones first. As you progress, it gets easier.
What would you tell the warfighters you support if you could speak directly to them? There will always be support staff working behind the scenes, rest assured. We are in this fight with you, day in and day out.
If you have prior service, why did you decide to stay within the Department of Defense? I was young, and my daughter was about to be born. Having a job at that time was critical. Deciding to stay was not a choice; it was, and is, a call to lifelong service.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? Professionally, I see myself serving in a higher role, possibly in supervision.
What is the most surprising or unexpected thing others don’t know about you? I am a published author and will soon be published for the second time.
What are some of your passions outside of work? I enjoy selling my books, having fun and my off time.
What’s the most thrilling or adventurous thing you have ever done? I would have to say learning to scuba dive in Japan.
Who is the most influential person in your life, past or present? I would say that my mother and grandmother have been the most influential in my life. They’ve always supported and believed in me and encouraged me to reach for the stars.
What is your favorite military aircraft? The V-22 Osprey is my favorite as I have supported this aircraft for almost 10 years. The cockpit looks like something out of Star Wars, and how it takes off is so cool.
What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment is my daughter; she is the light of my life.
Have you had a mentor that helped you grow in your career? There are so many, too many to count, but they know who they are. They were who God placed in my life when I needed them. I firmly believe people come into our life for a reason, and a season.
What is the most important thing in your life right now? My most important things in life now are faith and health. Like most everyone, I want to make it to retirement and start the next chapter of life.