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News | Dec. 1, 2016

DLA Director hosts town hall for Distribution headquarters, recognizes employees

By Brianne M. Bender DLA Distribution Public Affairs

DLA Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch hosted the inaugural town hall in the new Distribution headquarters building on Nov. 18.

The event began with Busch presenting several awards to Distribution employees. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Keith Nunn and Maj John Simpson were presented the Under Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence in recognition of their support of the Iraq and Syria Humanitarian mission.

Raymond Baim, Leslie Bair, Ria Blackwell, Hubert Hall, Jr., Steven Michael, Eugene Summers and Anthony Smith, Sr., received the DLA Humanitarian Effort Award for their support and contributions during the Syrian refugee crisis.

Busch also presented Craig Beatty a coin for his outstanding efforts with Distribution’s Foreign Military Sales repair and return mission.

Finally, Perry Knight, Distribution’s chief of staff, was presented with the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service. Under Knight’s leadership, DLA Distribution showed unprecedented improvement in the timely and efficient distribution support to the warfighter, during a time of increasing workload and complex customer requirements.

Following the award presentation, Busch addressed the DLA Distribution headquarters workforce. “I am coming up on two years in this job and great things are being done to support the warfighter.”

Busch spoke specifically of Distributions newest distribution center in Djibouti, Africa. “This was a very specific request, and our presence there is a huge statement in the world.”

The focus of the town hall was Busch’s five strategic goals: Warfighter First, People and Culture, Resiliency, Strategic Engagement and Financial Stewardship. Additionally, he spoke about the new personnel system coming to DLA in 2017, DoD Performance Management and Appraisal Program. DPMAP will elevate the importance of performance plans that are current and written to clearly articulate expectations and differentiate levels of success. 

“What is interesting about DPMAP is it creates an increase of feedback between employees and supervisors. The supervisors should ask ‘how good am I at providing feedback,’” said Busch.

Rounding out the town hall, Busch fielded questions from the Distribution headquarters workforce.

In response to the question “What sentiments do warfighters have toward DLA Distribution?” Busch answered, “The combatant commanders are ecstatic. We are meeting the needs of the whole of government. However, with the warfighters, we have work to do to ensure there are no misunderstandings and needs are being met.”