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DLA Energy News

News | Oct. 17, 2019

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Jose Armando Duran

By DLA Energy Public Affairs

Editor’s Note: Defense Logistics Agency Energy recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. In honor of Hispanics’ contributions to the agency’s global mission, DLA Energy Public Affairs is highlighting Hispanic Americans who work daily to provide logistics support to America’s Warfighters.

My name is: Jose Armando Duran

I am: Of Salvadoran descent but born and raised in the Northern Virginia area, working as a contract specialist for DLA Energy Utility Services.

Describe your job in a sentence: I work to award and administer utility services contracts for the Air Force and Army.

How long have you worked at DLA Energy? I have worked at DLA for almost 3 years, starting my career as a Pathway Student Trainee before transitioning into the Pathways to Career Excellence Intern Program.

What is your favorite thing about working for DLA? The family/team centric environment that makes coming to work every day feel enjoyable. 

What are your best memories of working here? Being able to build strong relationships with co-workers during daily interactions, temporary duty assignments, and training courses; then leaning on those relationships to support the Warfighter as best we can. 

What is one thing you'd like others to know about your heritage? My heritage is a motivating factor for everything I do in my life. My determination and work ethic are attributes that I have learned from family members, who were all born and raised in El Salvador. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without their teachings, and I try to make them proud by being a role model in my personal and professional life.

Why is it important to you that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Being able to visit El Salvador as an adult let me see the world from a different lens and made me appreciate even more the opportunities we have here in the U.S. With all of the obstacles and struggles that we Hispanics may face, our determination and passion to succeed does not waiver. So being able to celebrate outstanding Hispanic men and women during Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it is an opportunity to appreciate their accomplishments; and also a moment for us to reflect on our ancestors and imagine how proud they would be to see how far we’ve come.