I am DLA

My name is:

Ada Catherine Torres Vega.
 
I am:

A contracting officer for DLA Troop Support Europe & Africa.

Describe your job in a sentence:

I am a contracting officer for the Commodities Team and the team lead for the Maintenance, Repairs and Operations prime vendor program, which supports construction and facilities maintenance materials for Europe and Africa.

How long have you worked at DLA?

I’ve worked for DLA Troop Support almost eight years, beginning in the DLA Corporate Intern Program. I spent six and a half years as part of Clothing and Textiles. The last year and a half, I’ve been overseas with our regional office in Germany on the Commodities Team.

What is your favorite thing about working for DLA?

The interaction with my customers! Our office is 100 percent about supporting the warfighter. And it’s very broad in the supplies it provides, so you’re never working with the same type of requirement. I get to work hand-in-hand with the customer from the beginning of any procurement. And I support customers all over the world.

What are your best memories of working here?

My coworkers. I have had the opportunity to work with people who have inspired me and guided me throughout my career. C&T is a huge family of people who take care of one another. Now I’m part of DLA Troop Support Europe & Africa, which is a small office, and that feeling is the same. When you work overseas, your coworkers become your family.

How do you make a difference?

By giving 100 percent to the warfighter. I feel I have to support them in any way possible because I’m lucky to be home and safe while they put their lives at risk every day. Once, I was doing a large order on a Saturday. It was very long and complex, but all I could think was that I was home and comfortable, and my work that day was to support a customer in Africa who was not as comfortable. I felt good making sure he had what he needed. Not long ago, I received a call from a member of that unit I was working with on a different project; he just wanted to say thank you. That alone made my day.