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# Setting the PaCE

By Connie BraeschDLA Energy Public Affairs

The latest group of Defense Logistics Agency Pathways to Career Excellence Program participants, known as PaCE, graduated from the two-year program in a ceremony in the Kabeisman Room at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Oct. 11.   

The PaCE Program is designed to prepare entry-level associates for success in their chosen career fields. Through comprehensive formal training, participants are provided an enterprise perspective of logistics support. 

“In our agency, people are our number one priority,” said Pam Latker, chief of DLA Training Center Management Division in her opening remarks. “Investing in their future and developing the workforce is the key to our agency’s success.”

Eleven DLA Energy PaCE participants took part in the graduation ceremony including Marcarthur Alexandre II, Bafour Asante, Jamika Forde, Gerardo Gomez, Ernest Mbandi, Ronald Mosley, Lacie Nowak, Samuel Rhodes, Felix Rivera, Jacob Sigler and Heather Thomas.

Asante, a prior military member, said he wanted to continue to support the warfighter and PaCE really helped his career goals progress. He said his supervisor Melissa Roth was an important part of his success.

“It all started with good leadership,” Asante said. “She provided me the opportunity to be fully productive in the program. She never saw me as an intern. She saw me as an employee with potential, which gave me a chance to excel.”

Thomas, who started her Pathways journey in 2014, said her experience has been unique. 

“I was in a two-year program getting my MBA before I started the PaCE program,” she said. “I was the student and then the intern and now the employee. The support of supervisors has been immensely helpful with the grueling pace and amount of classes we have to take.”

Thomas recently accepted a position as a contract specialist with DLA Energy Bulk Petroleum Products Domestic East and is participating in one of the largest DLA programs called the Inland East Gulf procurement.

Thomas said she’s not even close to being done with her dedication to training and education. She said she is focusing on earning her contracting officer warrant and Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III certification. She plans to continue working her way up the enterprise chain and eventually become a senior leader. 

Both Thomas and Asante said the program really helped them build a strong professional network.

“I have really enjoyed the program, my peers and my teammates,” Asante said. “They are all outstanding. We formed a bond, shared ideas and helped each other out when we were struggling.”

In her keynote speech, DLA Energy Supplier Operations Director Gabby Earhardt offered words of wisdom from an inspirational book written by Retired Navy Adm. William McRaven, “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life ... And Maybe the World.”

“Start each day with a task completed,” she read. “Find someone to help you through life. Respect everyone. Know that life is not fair and you will fail often. Step up when times are toughest. Never ever give up. If you do these things, you can change your life for the better and maybe the world.”

“Graduates, kudos to all of you for your dedication and your steadfast attitude over the last two years,” Latker said. “You recognized that this program was the cornerstone of your DLA career and you stayed focused. Your journey with DLA has entered a new space. Ask for opportunities to guide and lead strategic efforts and initiatives. Now is the time to step in to your new role and become a role model.”

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