PHILADELPHIA –
Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly visited DLA Troop Support for an employee town hall and a fiscal 2026 annual operating plan discussion with the organization’s senior leaders on Oct. 2.
As a former commander of DLA Troop Support, Simerly expressed his excitement in returning to the organization and his enthusiasm for being back in Philadelphia.
“We could not do our mission without this excellent team here in Philadelphia.” Simerly said. “I’m so proud of what you do every single day.”
DLA’s senior enlisted leader, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Petra Casarez, also introduced herself to the Troop Support workforce and expressed her interest in visiting again soon.
“What I got from you is people, passion, patriotism and grit,” said Casarez. “I will come very soon to visit you again. Start thinking about what I need deep dives in and where I need to get a little bit more information. Then, I can truly be value added to you.”
Simerly took the town hall as an opportunity to address Troop Support’s continued contributions to the DLA mission and future initiatives for the workforce.
“I want to take some time to set some things about what’s taking place in our nation.” Simerly said. “What’s taking place within the agency. What’s taking place within the Troop Support team. I am going to lay out our vision for where the agency is moving and what we have to do to be relevant in the future, and your role within that.”
Simerly also addressed agencywide transformation efforts intended to bolster the forecasting of rapidly changing warfighter needs.
“We're working with each of the services and the combatant commands to make sure we don't break any support as we move out on this,” he said.
During the AOP discussion, Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Sean P. Kelly and other senior leaders outlined planned actions and key results included within Troop Support’s organizational proposal.
“As we walk you through this with the four supply chains here, I think you’re going to see what successes were achieved over the past year and lessons learned throughout this process in 2025.” Kelly said.
Kelly also outlined how past achievements and lessons learned inform Troop Support’s fiscal 2026 plan.
“You will see that these will continue to carry over and gain momentum as we go into 2026,” said Kelly. “As we are focused on transforming and optimizing the command to ensure that, as you mentioned, we are faster and smarter. Leading in all areas of our supply chains to drive warfighter readiness.”
Simerly offered the assistance of DLA senior leadership to guide Troop Support in executing the 2026 AOP. He underscored the significant role collaboration across DLA will play in realizing the proposed plan.
“You can't do it alone,” said Simerly. “We have to ensure we've got an integrated approach so you are fully resourced, enabled, synchronized across the agency.”
Simerly was pleased that Troop Support’s plan included detailed forecasted needs and accounted for unexpected eventualities while planning fiscal 2026 warfighter support. He also acknowledged Troop Support’s organizational ownership of the plan and the internal realignment needed as key results are met throughout the coming year.
“This is your vision.” Simerly said. “Be demanding of yourselves, look at how you're leading your organization, what are the ways that you're expressing intent, the ways that you are being changed. Be demanding of your teams, set high standards, and hold teams accountable for what we (at DLA) have to deliver.”
During his visit, Simerly also recognized the following DLA Troop Support individuals and teams for providing outstanding warfighter support:
- Andry Ramirez, Subsistence
- David Cortes, Clothing and Textiles
- Lauren “Ren” Vendetti, Construction and Equipment
- Yu (Yvonne) Chen, Medical
- Development Team, Clothing and Textiles