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News | April 29, 2021

DLA director meets Richmond-based employees, praises commitment to mission

By Cathy Hopkins DLA Aviation Public Affairs

Defense Logistics Agency Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic visited Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, April 16 for the first time since she became director of the enterprise in July. She previously headed supplier operations for DLA Aviation from August 2008 to August 2011.
 
Local leaders briefed Skubic on the center’s mission as she toured facilities and recognized employees for their volunteerism and commitment to mission-essential work at a time when many DLA employees worked from home to help stop the spread of COVID-19.  
 

General escorts admiral into building
Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. David Sanford escorts DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic in the foyer of the DLA Aviation Operations Center April 16, 2021, while visiting Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jackie Roberts)
General escorts admiral into building
DLA director meets Richmond-based employees, praises commitment
Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. David Sanford escorts DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic in the foyer of the DLA Aviation Operations Center April 16, 2021, while visiting Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jackie Roberts)
Photo By: Jackie Roberts
VIRIN: 210416-D-YB435-1004

DLA Aviation Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. David Sanford and others showed off the DLA Aviation Operations Center, which opened eight years after Skubic’s departure. The center serves as the activity’s headquarters building and provides workspace for more than 800 employees.  
 
She also toured the Aviation Logistics Operations Center, located on the first floor of the operations center, where ALOC Chief Kevin Ryan and his staff described ALOC functions and the team’s unique experiences supporting troops around the world. ALOC employees coordinate support with DLA Headquarters’ Agency Synchronization and Operations Center and other DLA major subordinate commands.
 
The director said the group’s background of working with deployed forces reminded her of her time commanding the DLA Support Team in Kuwait, recalling that volunteering and serving on a DST was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences of her career.
 
David Gibson, site director for DLA Installation Management Richmond, walked Skubic through the cafeteria and Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities before briefing her on construction of the new East Gate, which opened April 26, and phase two of operations center construction that will create enough space for an additional 1,600 employees.
 
Acting area manager shows admiral disposition services warehouse operations.
La’Tayna Williams, acting area manager for Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Richmond, left, and Christopher Edgerton, a wage supervisor for DLA Disposition Services Richmond, far right, escort DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic through a warehouse bay April 16, 2021, while explaining their mission at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jackie Roberts)
Acting area manager shows admiral disposition services warehouse operations.
DLA director meets Richmond-based employees, praises commitment
La’Tayna Williams, acting area manager for Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Richmond, left, and Christopher Edgerton, a wage supervisor for DLA Disposition Services Richmond, far right, escort DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic through a warehouse bay April 16, 2021, while explaining their mission at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jackie Roberts)
Photo By: Jackie Roberts
VIRIN: 210416-D-YB435-1002
While touring DLA Disposition Services Richmond, with DLA Disposition Services North-East Director Beth Ford, Skubic observed how the pandemic had placed Ford and her teammates in a unique position. Typically, disposition services is primarily concerned with the disposal of material that is no longer required; however, in a crisis such as the pandemic, DLA Disposition Services was often pushing critical life-saving equipment and material to where it was most needed.

 

Skubic presented director’s coins to several employees including those who helped maintain workplace safety during the pandemic and Fusion Operations Division Chief Greg Kennedy, who has worked with the ALOC to manage the activity’s pandemic response. She also spoke with DLA Aviation sailors, relating how she didn’t fully understand the critical nature of DLA’s mission until her first assignment there. Skubic encouraged them to learn as much as they could about DLA while stationed there.
 
Several leaders and employees pointed out that support from leadership and teammates helps them accomplish their missions. 
 
“DLA is like a spiderweb – we are stronger together,” Skubic said.