Four former employees were inducted in the third annual Defense Logistics Agency Energy Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the McNamara Headquarters Complex, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Oct. 23.

The DLA Energy Hall of Fame was established to honor and preserve the memory of past associates for their exceptional leadership, service, dedication to duty and contributions in supporting the DLA mission.

“This is a special day for DLA Energy,” said DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Albert Miller. “It’s the one time of year when the past, present and the future converge. The honorees before you today mentored, led and developed the leaders that guide DLA Energy today.”

The 2018 DLA Energy Hall of Fame inductees honored in the ceremony are:
• Kathryn Fantasia, former director, Direct Delivery Fuels
• Retired Army Col. Robert Jarvis, former commander of Defense Fuel Region Middle East, Bahrain
• Carol O’Leary, former director, DLA Finance for Energy
• Paul Rogers (posthumously honored), former deputy director of the Chief Environmental Division, DLA Installation Support for Energy

Kathryn Fantasia held numerous leadership positions throughout DLA Energy for 14 years and became the executive advisor to the commander. This position was the senior ranking GS-15 position among more than 20 GS-15s throughout the organization at that time. As the director of DLA Energy’s Direct Delivery from April 2007 to January 2013, Fantasia was responsible for managing acquisition programs that support military and federal civilian agency ground fuel requirements around the world, exceeding $2 billion in annual sales. In addition, Fantasia also provided oversight and management of acquisition programs in support of U.S. and coalition forces in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

“Fuel was in her blood,” Miller said. “Her father worked here, and she started her federal career as a GS-03 learning the fuel business from the ground up. She was a role model for men and women, with dedication to the warfighter and her unwavering devotion to make Energy better through development of the workforce.”

Retired Army Col. Robert Jarvis played a pivotal role in numerous events in the history of DLA Energy and the Defense Fuel Supply Center. As commander of Defense Fuel Region Middle East, he provided forward-deployed petroleum support to the U.S. Central Region Middle East during the transition of Operation Desert Storm from active combat to cease-fire operations. Subsequently, as director of four major DLA Energy directorates, Jarvis played a significant role in shaping the future of the agency.

“In all aspects of his career, Col. Jarvis excelled and always provided more than what was required or expected,” Miller said. “Numerous awards and citations throughout his career and his high reputation in the agency were a testament to his excellence.”

Carol O’Leary provided expert financial advice to all levels of the organization and was an advocate for major reforms and transfers of duties that changed the way DLA Energy does business. O’Leary was noted for being a trusted financial advisory and mentor and had a distinguished 50-year career with the federal government, 40 of those years with DLA.

“A phenomenal leader, the first female comptroller, an iconic presence … are just a few of the phrases used to describe Carol,” Miller said. “A trailblazer in a male-dominated workforce, Carol began her career as a secretary and worked her way up to become the director of DLA Finance for Energy.”

Paul Rogers served in multiple leadership roles including the chief of Environmental and Safety Management division and served as both the deputy site director of DLA Installation Support for Energy and the division chief of Environmental Management. He led DLA Energy to implement the Environmental Management System, one of the first agencies within Department of Defense.

“Paul Rogers was held in high regard and a role model for all,” Miller said to Rogers’ family. “He was dedicated to his employees, colleagues, the agency and his work. Loyal beyond reproach, he was always willing to do whatever was required to get the job done. He was a strong leader in the right place and at the right time.”

Induction into the DLA Energy Hall of Fame acknowledges the vital role employees in the current and long-term success of DLA Energy. The Hall of Fame honors and preserves the performance of past employees for their exceptional service, dedication and contributions in support of the DLA Energy mission.

“Today we celebrate a legacy that Kathryn, Bob, Carol and Paul established in this organization,” Miller said. “The DLA Energy Hall of Fame is a special place of honor for those who’ve had a monumental impact on the organization. It is my distinct privilege and honor to recognize these American heroes today.”

DLA Energy has a proud history dating back to World War II. Over the last 70 plus years, the agency has grown and gone through several name changes, notably DFSC to Defense Energy Support Center and in 2010, became DLA Energy. During that time we expanded from petroleum to include coal, aviation fuel, natural gas, electricity, utilities, solar power, hydrogen power, synthetics fuels and other alternative fuel and renewable energy sources as new procurement, research and development initiatives materialized.

Congratulations to the newly inducted members of DLA Energy’s Hall of Fame.