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News | Oct. 18, 2019

DLA Land and Maritime welcomes new Deputy Commander

By James Harless DLA Land and Maritime Public Affairs

Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime’s newly appointed Deputy Commander Ken Watson officially reported for duty Oct 15. He replaced Steven Alsup, who retired from the Senior Executive Service corps this past June after more than 33 years of federal service.

As the senior civilian in DLA Land and Maritime, Watson will head strategic planning, operational execution and resource management. His focuses will include aligning key priorities and initiatives among DLA Land and Maritime activities while overseeing governance and policy-management processes.

Watson previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment. He was the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment, providing integration and oversight of the Department's annual $90 billion maintenance program.

Watson began his civil service career in 1989 as a Palace Acquire Intern Inventory Management Specialist at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. His diverse experience includes logistics management for the F-117A and Commander in Chief Mobile Alternate Headquarters programs. He managed airborne electrical accessories for the Commodities division at Sacramento Air Logistics Center. Watson served as a logistics plans specialist while assigned to United States Air Force Headquarters on a Logistics Civilian Career Program career broadening position. He also performed logistics requirements analysis, acquisition program management, and was chief of the Strategic Planning Division, Plans and Programs Directorate for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Watson served for three years overseas as the deputy for Mission Support with the 31st Mission Support Group at Aviano Air Base, Italy. He holds both baccalaureate and masters’ degrees.