FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
Defense Logistics Agency Energy Commander Navy Rear Adm. George Bresnihan and DLA Energy Deputy Commander Emily Vogeler addressed employees in a town hall meeting at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Aug. 20. This meeting’s theme centered around leadership changes, the fiscal 2027 strategy, audits, the Defense Performance Management and Appraisal Program, the Agency Transformation Center and digital readiness. This is Bresnihan’s last town hall meeting as DLA Energy commander before the DLA Energy change of command and Bresnihan’s retirement on Sept. 3.
The meeting highlighted key leadership changes, including Vogeler’s appointment and several DLA Energy changes of command:
“People put in a requirement for fuel and the team just delivers. That’s just what we do,” Bresnihan said as he spoke about DLA Energy's achievements over the past year. “The DLA Energy team always delivers.”
Some of DLA Energy’s highlights over the past year include:
- Artemis II support: Providing more than 21,000 pounds of highly specialized propellants to the Artemis II space mission, helping power its main engines.
- PLUTO deployment: Deploying the Petroleum Logistics Utilization Tool and Optimization, or PLUTO, which helps logisticians optimize the global fuel supply chain by visualizing the impacts of their decisions and making more informed choices.
- Operations support: Ensuring a resilient and uninterrupted flow of energy to air, sea and ground forces during Operations Southern Spear in the Caribbean Sea and Absolute Resolve in Venezuela.
- Worldwide event attendance: Achieving a record-setting attendance of more than 2,300 military leaders, civilian experts and industry partners at the DLA Energy Worldwide event, which aimed to tackle the complex challenge of fueling the joint force in an era of contested global logistics.
- RFP Generator: Launching the Request for Proposal Generator, a platform that shortens the acquisition process while keeping the contracting professional in the driver's seat. The platform reduces the timeline from purchase request to publish-ready solicitation.
Vogeler emphasized the importance of adapting to modernization efforts with the Agency Transformation Center, with the plan to continue building tools for different user community needs.
"You don't need to wait to get involved," said Vogeler. "You have this ability right now to help learn more, whether you're a pro or just trying to understand what AI means. I just want to encourage the workforce to get out there and learn how to use AI as a tool."
The audit is another major focus for DLA Energy mentioned Vogeler, specifically about achieving a clean opinion for the capital fund in fiscal year 2027. She also touched on DPMAP assessments, urging employees to begin compiling achievements and write-ups to prepare for the approaching Oct. 9 deadline.
During the event, Bresnihan spoke on the fiscal year 2027 strategy, reemphasizing the three pillars of setting the agency, setting supply chains and setting the globe to ensure warfighter readiness and success. He urged everyone to understand the fiscal 2027 strategic plan, which is the basis behind why decisions are made.
"The two most critical things in this fight are fuel and ammunitions, bar none, and I thank you because the work you have done has been amazing," said Bresnihan. "When the history books are written, they probably won't talk about the fuel piece. But I can tell you that you can't pull this off without the fuel."