A progressive leader known for telling employees “Define what success looks like and figure out how to get there” will be inducted into the Defense Logistics Agency Hall of Fame June 25. 

Retired Navy Vice Admiral Mark Harnitchek was the agency’s director from November 2011 to December 2014, one of the busiest periods in military history. He championed effectiveness and efficiency with dozens of programs and data-driven solutions that drastically reduced DLA’s material and operating costs by more than $3 billion in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and programmed additional savings in the following six years. 

The 37-year veteran led the agency through customer service improvements that included record high material availability rates at depots and shipyards. His tenure also saw an average 25% reduction in back orders and a steady decline in the cost recovery rate to 13.2%. 

Under his leadership, DLA played a key role in the responsible drawdown of equipment in Iraq and surge/sustainment operations in Afghanistan, as well as several significant humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions. Harnitchek spearheaded DLA’s support for Super Storm Sandy, a multi-state disaster. His personal, hands-on leadership contributed to DLA delivering over 6 million meals, 9 million gallons of fuel, and hundreds of truckloads of supplies. DLA’s efforts were personally recognized by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the mayor of New York and the president. 

As a proponent of employee wellness programs, Harnitchek also supported the agency’s policy to sponsor workout time and establish the McNamara Headquarters Complex farmers market. 

“His legacy as one of the U.S. Navy’s premier logisticians is indicative of his agile leadership, which positioned DLA as the nation’s premier combat logistics support agency,” according to Harnitechek’s nomination packet. 

Read more about the DLA Hall of Fame and previous inductees on the DLA Hall of Fame website.