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News | Aug. 11, 2022

2022 DLA Hall of Fame inductee: Keith Ford

By DLA Public Affairs

Editor’s Note: This is one of six stories featuring 2022 DLA Hall of Fame inductees. A ceremony highlighting their contributions to the agency will be held Aug. 17 at the McNamara Headquarters Complex.

A “Renaissance man” for Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support is a member of the 2022 DLA Hall of Fame.

Keith Ford, the former deputy director of the clothing and textiles supply chain, began his federal career in 1981 as a GS-5 contract specialist in the Subsistence Directorate with the Defense Personnel Support Center.

“Keith Ford is truly a Renaissance man when it comes to DLA Troop Support, as he possesses expert knowledge of contracting, finance, innovative logistics and customer support. This vast array of knowledge allowed him to examine and understand problems from multiple perspectives and develop world class solutions for warfighter support,” according to his nomination.

Throughout his career, Ford was as a leader in acquisition processes and worked toward improving customer support. He supervised the rollout of a prime vendor program in subsistence 20 years ago that’s still used today.

He served as comptroller from 2002 to 2008, overseeing the major subordinate command’s wartime requirements during operations Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ford also helped lead the rollout of the Enterprise Business System at DLA Troop Support and was instrumental in incorporating it into DLA’s financial operations. 

As the deputy director of clothing and textiles, a position he held from 2008 to his retirement in 2016, Ford led a staff of more than 300 people through various uniform and equipment changes. His team developed contracts to support the development of protective equipment for deployed troops.

“Beyond knowledge and the solutions, Keith possessed the leadership skills to implement ideas and concepts. He did not back down from making tough decisions and could always be counted on to provide the personnel under him the support needed to implement solutions,” according to his nomination.

During his 35-year tenure at DLA Troop Support, Ford received the DLA Distinguished Career Service Award, DLA Exceptional Civilian Service Award and the DLA Silver Letter.