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# Leadership Reflection: David Powell

DLA Disposition Services Tucson Area Manager, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona

                DLA Disposition Services Tucson Area Manager David Powell.                            220115-D-D0441-5432                            DLA Disposition Services Tucson Area Manager David Powell.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DOD photoVIRIN: 220115-D-D0441-5432**Briefly describe your job.**

I manage 40 employees, providing disposition services to DOD customers with unclassified, sensitive, and critical military property, using reutilization, sales and demilitarization avenues for final disposition.   

**What is your area of responsibility?**

Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.

**How long have you worked for the federal government, including military service?**

38 years.

**How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services?**

15 years.

**What is your favorite thing about your line of work?**

Working site improvements; modernizing current buildings and outside areas to increase and simplify property flow.

**What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?**

Watch the ball, follow through and anticipate.  

**What is your favorite memory with DLA Disposition Services?**

Clearing a disposal yard in Iraq of all property on 953 trucks in 75 removal days.   

**What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?**

Accept that leadership involves risk.  

**What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into your line of work?**

Treat all workers as adults. Use failures as opportunities to improve. Never blame. Work to do better. 

**How would you describe your leadership style and why has it worked so well for you? **

Be the one in charge, include subject matter experts in decisions, take full responsibilities for your site’s actions.

**What do you look for when evaluating top talent?**

Anything that I cannot teach, for example, basic organization. You can see this very easily.  Another is general education - something that is taught to a high school level or higher. Communication – both writing and comprehension. Both these areas will reveal your standouts.   

**What are your best practices for achieving goals or accomplishing tasks?**

Arrive early, prioritize tasks, and focus.

**A favorite or recent book?**

*Timeline*, by Michael Creighton

**What was your first job?**

High school cafeteria food prep.

**What did you want to be when you grew up?**

Still working on that.

**What is your favorite quote? **

You can reinvent yourself every day of your life.  

**Any hobbies?**

Reading medical journals, i.e., statistics of virus evolution and treatment side effects. Deep sea fishing.  

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