FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
In a ceremony steeped in naval tradition, command of Defense Logistics Agency Energy — an organization whose recent history has been defined by its response to global crises — passed from Navy Rear Adm. George E. Bresnihan to Navy Rear Adm. Timothy A. Brown on Sept. 3 at the McNamara Headquarters Complex.
The event, presided over by DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, not only marked a change in leadership for the combat support agency but also served as the capstone to Bresnihan’s 32 plus-year military career. Following the change of command, Navy Vice Adm. Dion D. English, former director for logistics on the Joint Staff, presided over Bresnihan’s official retirement ceremony.
“As we know, the pace rarely slows for DLA Energy,” Simerly said to the gathered audience of family members, DLA Energy staff, flag and general officers and Senior Executive Service members. “Rear Adm. Bresnihan has led the team with great enthusiasm, competence and professionalism through one of the most consequential periods in its history.”
Simerly outlined the immense scope of Bresnihan’s two-year tenure, putting the scale of the enterprise into perspective. He highlighted that DLA Energy manages a global inventory of approximately 52 million barrels of fuel across a network of more than 600 Defense Fuel Support Points, coordinating the delivery of about 9 million gallons of fuel to the joint force daily.
“DLA Energy was a critical enabler of operations SOUTHERN BORDER, MIDNIGHT HAMMER, SOUTHERN SPEAR, ABSOLUTE RESOLVE and most recently, the energy dominance behind Operation EPIC FURY,” Simerly said. “His strategic foresight in large-scale fuel distribution ensured joint and coalition forces maintained momentum, initiative and superiority across the battlespace.”
The scope of that battlespace expanded dramatically under Bresnihan. During his command, DLA Energy established a new Defense Fuel Support Point in Darwin, Australia, executed the first-ever long-term bunker contract in Saudi Arabia to secure Red Sea fueling capabilities and managed the highly specialized propellants required for NASA’s historic Artemis II moon mission earlier this year. In July, he signed the Australia Fuel Support Agreement and the Chilean Navy Fuel Exchange Agreement.
Bresnihan, however, deflected the praise to his workforce.
"They aren't my successes," Bresnihan said during his remarks. "They belong entirely to the DLA Energy team. When I took command, my goal was simple: to leave the command better than I found it."
For those who served closest to him, Bresnihan’s legacy is defined as much by his internal leadership as his operational successes.
George Atwood, deputy director, DLA Acquisition, who served as the acting deputy commander for DLA Energy from June 2025 through the end of May of 2026, said ahead of the ceremony that the operational tempo of the last year was unmatched.
“In my 23 years with DLA Energy, which includes three of those years as the deputy commander, I can't recall a more dynamic period of time,” Atwood said. He cited the challenges of navigating an extended government shutdown, supporting combatant commands through key contingencies and managing unprecedented personnel turnover.
“Most importantly, I would highlight that throughout all the operational challenges and day-to-day churn we faced as an organization, Rear Adm. Bresnihan always kept the workforce at the forefront of his command priority, and that message resonated throughout Energy,” Atwood said. “He created and sustained a work environment where our workforce could be proud of what they accomplished each and every day.”
That focus on people yielded tangible results. Under Bresnihan, DLA Energy saw protective factors in the Defense Employee Organizational Climate Survey rise by 45%, and the command ushered in a sweeping digital business transformation — including the deployment of the Petroleum Logistics Utilization Tool and Optimization system and the integration of machine learning models into its business planning tools.
Gabriella Earhardt, DLA Energy acquisition executive, traveled the globe alongside Bresnihan to secure the commercial partnerships that anchor the defense industrial base. Speaking before the transition, she noted his collaborative style was key to the agency surpassing its goals.
“When you have a leader like Rear Adm. Bresnihan that demonstrates that he walks the talk and he not only believes in the mission, but also believes in the people, it has allowed DLA Energy to achieve all they have under his leadership,” Earhardt said. “There’s no doubt the workforce would support and follow him into battle.”
That sentiment was echoed by those who managed his daily, high-stakes schedule. Navy Lt. Cleopatra Haynes, aide to the commander, noted in a separate interview that his compassion was most evident behind closed doors.
“The Navy has a saying, ‘mission first, sailor always,’” Haynes said. “It means the mission, our operational requirements, come first, but our personnel don’t take a backseat to that. They are always a priority and they must always be factored into our decision-making. Rear Adm. Bresnihan embodies that in his leadership style.”
As Bresnihan prepares to take off the uniform, the watch passes to Brown, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who brings a rare, end-to-end mastery of acquisition, sustainment and fleet readiness.
Brown previously served as a supply officer aboard aircraft carriers USS Kitty Hawk and USS Theodore Roosevelt during combat deployments to the U.S. Central Command region. His extensive shore leadership includes tours as the commanding officer of Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, and most recently as the acting Chief of Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics.
Concluding his remarks at the ceremony, Simerly expressed absolute confidence in the new commander.
“Rear Adm. Brown is a proven leader who brings an extraordinary combination of operational and strategic logistics expertise to the position,” Simerly said. “Tim, the entire DLA Energy team is excited to welcome you here. I have complete confidence that you will guide this organization to even greater heights.”
For his part, Brown shared his vision for the command in an interview prior to taking command, stating he is ready to build upon the command’s strong foundation and accelerate its digital transformation to meet the contested logistics demands of the future.
“Throughout my career, one of the things I’ve always deeply appreciated is how DLA Energy has consistently and reliably supported the fleet and the joint force,” Brown said. “I knew that when we needed fuel, DLA Energy would deliver. That kind of trust is not automatic; it’s earned every day by the professionals who make this organization work.”
Brown noted that he is eager to transition from being a DLA customer at the tip of the spear to leading the military, civilian and professionals who make the global mission possible.
“On day one, my message is pretty straightforward. I believe in three simple principles: be the best at what we do, do the right thing every time and take care of each other because we are a family,” Brown said. “Those aren’t just words to me; they’re how I try to lead. I’m excited to listen, learn and work alongside this team as we continue supporting the joint force with the same reliability and professionalism that DLA Energy is known for around the world.”
Note: Gen AI assisted in drafting this article, which was thoroughly researched, reviewed and revised by Department of War personnel