TRACY, California –
Defense Logistics Agency director Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch recently visited DLA Distribution San Joaquin, Calif., to discuss command operations and tour facilities at DLA’s western Strategic Distribution Platform.
The day started with a command overview presented by San Joaquin’s commander, Marine Col Andre Harrell, along with the distribution center’s executive leadership team; DLA Installation Support San Joaquin site director, Jonathan Mathews; leaders of DLA organizations on base; and the president of the AFGE Local 1546, Damiana Maggio. In addition to explaining the mission, two key areas were highlighted: the distribution team remaining “green” in its performance metrics and the installation’s dedication to resiliency.
Harrell explained to the director that “Team San Joaquin” has been in the green (indicative of successful metrics) for three consecutive months. He attributed the success to collaborating with the AFGE Local 1546 leadership, disciplined processing/audit readiness maturity, warehouse cross training and leadership at all levels.
The director was pleased with the performance metrics and conveyed his congratulations to the San Joaquin team.
Mathews then briefed slides on the installation’s resiliency efforts. He discussed the creation of the Health and Wellness Council, comprised of employees across the installation. This council promotes awareness, recognition and understanding of wellness programs/services. Some examples of events that were provided to the employees were: Pillar Time, resiliency runs, a push-up challenge, a pull up challenge, and the Great American Smoke Out.
Further, he talked about the Civilian Welfare Fund Council and its focus is on morale building activities and services for the workforce. Events discussed were Employee Appreciation Day, a holiday social, and givebacks to the employees.
In response, Busch made the comment that it is the leadership’s responsibility to create relationships with employees and stated that he appreciates the efforts that the installation has conveyed in promoting resiliency.
“I am pleased with your resiliency focus. There is evidence of going above and beyond and the employees are seeing the opportunities,” said Busch.
During the mission tour that followed, Busch was highly engaged with the workforce. He toured the Wildland Fire Mission, small parcel receiving, mechanized storage, mechanized packing, foreign military sales, the freight terminal, bulk warehousing, Unitized Group Rations, Consolidation and Containerization Point and DLA Distribution and Disposition Process Consolidation. An additional walk through consisted of the Child Development Center and Fitness Centers.