BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Defense Logistics Agency personnel at Michigan’s Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center hosted members of the agency's senior leadership team April 22 for briefings and a mid-year review of the 2025 DLA Disposition Services Annual Operating Plan.
During the visit, the leadership team met with DLA Disposition Services directors and subject matter experts to discuss topics ranging from training programs and reutilization to DLA Document Services and agency culture. While listening to briefs on program updates and organizational changes, DLA Director Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly emphasized that some aspects of DLA Disposition Services will always remain constant.
“There’s a lot that’s changing, but even more that’s not changing,” Simerly said. “One thing not changing is the importance of our mission and the necessity for us to stay focused on that mission. The second thing that’s not changing is our dedication to taking care of our people.”
Command Chief Master Sgt. Alvin Dyer, DLA’s senior enlisted leader, noted the dedication of DLA personnel he observed during his site visits over the past several months.
“We travel a lot and get a chance to visit the different disposition sites,” Dyer said. “Your teams out there are led well. They’re very professional, very prideful, and they love what they do. They love serving the customers and they love serving the warfighters.”
In addition to operational briefings, Simerly met with a small group of DLA Disposition Services members for a candid discussion about issues they identified as important. These personal conversations are part of the senior leadership team's efforts to better inform them about ground-level concerns and ensure the agency’s strategy is understood throughout the workforce.
Simerly also mentioned a unique observation from his travels to property disposal sites, highlighting the distinctiveness of each location. DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon acknowledged that the mission at each site can vary significantly, along with the customer base each site serves. He noted that prioritizing the warfighter is a common theme across the agency, as is how the agency processes property.
“We have commonality of processes across Disposition Services,” Cannon said. “We process property in a consistent manner across the agency and provide stability for the warfighter. Our people, and their dedication to executing the mission on behalf of the warfighter, are one of the reasons I chose to compete for this position.”
Simerly closed his visit with a building tour and coin presentation ceremony to recognize local members of DLA Information Operations. Before leaving, he addressed the importance of being good teammates and treating each other well to maintain a positive culture.
“Our commitment to our people also means treating each other with dignity and respect,” said Simerly. “This has never been more important than it is right now. DLA has a long history of investing in our culture – and we intend to continue that.”