COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Four leaders credited with monumental contributions to warfighter support were officially inducted into the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime Hall of Fame May 28 at the Defense Supply Center Columbus.
The Class of 2025 honorees are:
- Mark Brown, SES, DLA Land and Maritime’s former Acquisition Executive
- Linda Kelly, former deputy director for Strategic Acquisition Programs
- Debbie Miller, former material planner with Land Supplier Operations
- Oscar Mitchell, former director for Process Management
“We are the silent force behind the fighting force, ensuring that our servicemen and women have the parts, equipment and support they need, precisely when and where they need it,” said Kenneth Watson, DLA Land and Maritime’s acting commander, in his opening remarks. “And it is precisely in this vital mission that our inductees – Mark, Linda, Debbie and Oscar – have excelled.”
Accompanied by their family and friends, the Hall of Fame inductees were celebrated with musical selections, historical slideshows and medallion presentations marking their legacy achievement.
“Through your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment you have directly contributed to our nation’s defense by strengthening our military’s capabilities and ensuring our forces are ready to deter aggression and, if necessary, prevail in conflict,” Watson said. “Your legacy will inspire future generations of DLA Land and Maritime professionals to continue our vital mission with the same level of excellence and dedication.”
The Class of 2025 brings the total number of inductees to 104 since the program’s inception in 2005. Read more about their contributions below:
MARK BROWN
As DLA Land and Maritime’s senior acquisition executive and head of contracting from 2018 until his retirement in 2023, Mark Brown was responsible for acquisition planning, strategic sourcing, industrial base management, and logistics research and development programs. Prior to that, Brown served as director of the Procurement Process Support Directorate, the focal point for defense acquisition policy development and oversight, integrity and compliance for the Land and Maritime supply chains. Before joining DLA Land and Maritime as a civilian, Brown got his start in career federal service with the Navy. He received his commission from Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. Brown held a variety of command and staff assignments, ultimately retiring at the rank of captain after 27 years of military service. Highlights include roles at DLA Land and Maritime as director of the Aerospace Weapon Systems Group, director of the Commodities (Electronics) Application Group, director of Readiness and Business Operations and chief of staff.
During his induction remarks, Brown thanked the many colleagues he’s worked with over the years.
“I would like to be able to thank each and every one of you that made this job possible,” Brown said. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for all you’ve done for America. When I was commissioned as an ensign in the supply corps 45 years ago, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be inducted into the Hall of Fame of anything…this is a special place with very special people here. Thank you all, this is an honor and privilege, I’m touched and will remember this for the rest of my life.”
LINDA KELLY
Linda Kelly began her DLA career in 1988 as a contract specialist intern procuring automotive spare parts and material handling equipment. Kelly held numerous positions with DLA Land and Maritime in a 35-year span that included roles with the long-term contracting teams for both supply chains, supplier relationship manager anchoring alliances with key partners, lead contracting officer for the Industrial Product Support Vendor Initiative and director of Procurement Process Support. In 2019, Kelly was selected to become deputy director for the Strategic Acquisition Programs Directorate, managing a long-term contracting portfolio exceeding $1 billion in annual dollar value. She retired in 2023.
Kelly credited her career success to the many friendships built along the way.
“The kids, Bob and I have a lot of history with this base,” Kelly said, speaking of her husband. “Bob and I met here, the kids played junior golf here, spent time at the pool here…I made a lot of lifelong friends here.”
“I don’t miss the meetings…I didn’t think I would and I don’t,” said Kelly, which drew chuckles from the crowd. “You miss the people… it’s been really nice to see everybody this morning.”
DEBBIE MILLER
Debbie Miller dedicated her entire 44-year federal career to DLA, starting as a GS-2 in the typing pool and retiring as a material planner. Miller was involved in numerous special projects throughout her DLA career and was sought after as a subject matter expert. Miller oversaw the highest demand items in the Land supply chain encompassing an annual demand value of $123 million. Her tenure was marked by flawless management of one of DLA’s most critical items, the “Hawker Battery,” which supported more than 50 weapon systems including the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle. She also managed batteries essential as back-up support for the Minuteman III Nuclear Silo launching capability. Miller additionally served as item manager for batteries in support of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management during peak fire season in the United States.
During her induction remarks, Miller spoke on the changing landscape of DSCC and the evolution of job functions at DLA Land and Maritime.
“I remember walking down Broad Street…seeing a line of cars departing Broad Street gate,” explained Miller, who grew up near DSCC. “I always wondered as a child what went on behind those gates and what did those people do? Little did I know that one day I would be a part of that workforce.”
Miller spoke on the impact of computerization, as DLA transitioned from paper forms and
postal services to digital business systems and email. She concluded by highlighting two memorable teams she worked on: the C-130 team and the batteries team. “We had great relationships with the military services, and we had great team members who worked together to solve problems. Retirement has meant so much to me because it gave me time to reflect on the 44 years…to serve my country as a civilian employee and to know we made a difference in our customers’ lives.”
OSCAR MITCHELL
Oscar Mitchell joined DLA as a value analyst in 1983 for the then-Defense Electronics Supply Center. Highlights of his early career included leading the change management team for the Defense Supply Center Columbus following the base’s realignment, spearheading implementation of DSCC’s first Information Technology Service Management tool and serving as a weapon system support manager. Mitchell later joined DLA Finance, leading the implementation of new policies and procedures. One of Mitchell’s most notable contributions was revamping the budgeting process, beginning with sales forecasts – a fundamental anchor to the material budget. Mitchell became deputy comptroller and ultimately comptroller, where he was the principal financial advisor to DLA Land and Maritime. In his final DLA role, Mitchell returned to DLA Land and Maritime as director of Process Management, then known as Business Process Support. Throughout his career he participated in DLA Land and Maritime’s Tier III mentoring program as a mentor developing future leaders.
During his induction remarks, Mitchell talked about the importance of mentorship and shared a story about a colleague early in his career who instilled lessons for future success.
“The first person who mentored me – this is back in 1984 – was an older fellow named Harold Robson, lovingly called Robby,” he said. “They set me and this guy out in the middle of a floor with a divide between us and I thought it was the most awkward thing in the world. But [he] taught me how to be flexible in whatever we do…to do the best you could wherever you were.”
Mitchell said the key lesson Robby taught him over the years was how to adapt to the next challenge.
“Every change in life brings on different responsibilities and different roles, so for all the things I was able to do and blessed to do, I was capable of changing to those roles,” he concluded. “I just want to say thanks. I look out and I see so many people that I’ve worked with since I was fortunate to work within all these different organizations.”
More information on the DLA Land and Maritime Hall of Fame and its members can be found here.
Missed the ceremony? A recording of the event is now available (CAC-enabled).