FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
The Defense Logistics Agency Energy is gearing up to celebrate its 80th birthday, a significant milestone that highlights nearly a century of unwavering support to America's warfighters. This achievement underscores the agency’s enduring legacy of dedication, resilience and service.
DLA Energy's operations over the decades have involved an extensive team of employees responsible for managing the supply of energy to military operations worldwide. Many of these employees have dedicated decades of their careers supporting the agency’s mission to provide energy to the warfighter.
One such dedicated employee is Deputy Director of DLA Energy Utility Services Laurie Carlson, who is approaching 23 years with DLA Energy. Throughout her tenure, Laurie has embraced a variety of roles including contract specialist, division chief and deputy of Utility Services.
While she said there have been obstacles in navigating these roles in her time with DLA Energy, she views them positively. “These challenges have continued to keep me engaged and interested in the work; especially throughout the Utilities Privatization program,” she shared.
Another long-standing employee is General Supply Specialist Cheryl Moore. Moore began her career with DLA Energy as an intern from Thomas Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia, working as a clerk typist through the Cooperative Office Education program.
Over the past 41 years, she has advanced to a GS-12 Step 10 position, currently performing reconciliation of accounts in the Europe and Middle East regions.
“It has been an incredibly rewarding career – making friends who feel like family and assisting the warfighter,” Moore said.
Meanwhile, Real Property Officer Sheldon Thompkins is just beginning his journey with DLA Energy. With previous experience providing logistics support for the Department of the Army and 20 years spent serving in the Army, Sheldon was drawn to DLA Energy.
“DLA has been a place that I’ve always wanted to work at since retiring from the Army,” he explained. “My peers highly recommended this career move, saying I’d enjoy working here and that my logistics background would make for a seamless transition. Now that I’m here, it seems to be even better than they described.”
Real Property Officer with the Army & Airforce Division Ahmed Soliman is also excited about beginning his career with DLA Energy.
“I feel truly privileged to work for the quintessential U.S. Department of Defense logistics organization. I take a lot of pride in being a part of a team of subject matter experts that work tirelessly to find solutions and consistently deliver results, cementing a legacy of superior performance,” Soliman shared.
DLA Energy is a major subordinate command of the Defense Logistics Agency, responsible for providing comprehensive energy solutions to the DOD. Its mission is to ensure the availability and security of energy supplies such as fuel, lubricants and other related products needed to support military operations worldwide. Throughout its history, DLA Energy has evolved to meet the changing demands of military logistics, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and strategic sourcing to support national defense objectives.
As DLA Energy marks its 80th year of operations, the organization continues to recognize its employees as a key asset. Their ongoing commitment and professionalism support the agency's mission to provide energy solutions to the warfighter while contributing to national security.