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# Troop Support honors civilian retirees with more than 150 years of combined federal service

By Mikia MuhammadDLA Troop Support Public Affairs

                PHILADELPHIA  –              
The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated more than 150 years of combined federal service during a retirement ceremony in Philadelphia June 30, honoring four civilian employees.

Marie E. Owens retired from the Command Support Office after 42 years of federal service, Barbara A. Dotson retired from the Business Process Support office after 39 years of service, Brenda C. Williams retired from the Clothing & Textiles after 37 years of service, and Kenneth Cummings retired from the Medical supply chain after 35 years of service.

DLA Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Eric P. Shirley officiated the ceremony and honored the retirees’ dedication to the organization’s warfighter mission.

“The talent in DLA Troop Support is broad and it is deep, and today it’s exemplified by four great public servants,” Shirley said. “It is grace that allows us to come through the trials and tribulations of a life of service, but it is most meaningful when we’re able to come together as a team and say, ‘thank you,’ and to be with your loved ones as we go through this milestone event.”

Each retiree was joined by their respective spouses, family members and coworkers.

Owens began her federal career in 1980, as a secretary/stenographer in finance and culminated her career as a supervisory management analyst. Her career achievements include conducting an organization study on the facilities engineering division, creating a savings of approximately $300,000 and facilitating high-level process action teams such as the Defense Industrial Supply Center and Defense Personnel Support Center organizational design team.

“What a privilege and important part DLA Troop Support plays for the warfighter as well as humanitarian assistance around the world, and how honored I am to even have played a small part I have played,” Owens said.

Dotson began her federal career in 1982, as a student trainee in the federal junior fellowship program at DISC and retired as a business process analyst. Her career accomplishments along the way included numerous special act awards, performance awards and a BPS Shining Star Award for her work on the product data management initiative project bringing the engineering support process into Enterprise Business Systems.    

“What an honor and privilege to work here at DLA Troop Support...over time there have been many changes along the way and what helped [me remain] steadfast were the people, the organization, the management who helped lead us into all those changes.”

Williams started her federal career in 1984 as a provisioning supply clerk at DISC and retired as a product specialist in C&T’s long-term contracting branch. During her tenure, she earned many training certificates, awards, and accolades. Williams also volunteered for many community outreach programs including the Children’s Holiday Party, tutoring, and mentoring programs.

“Thank you for the opportunity to work here, in DLA Troop Support and I feel like I’ve been working from ‘cradle to grave,’” Williams said. “From the provisioning and to the aspect of contracting to technical supply planning, and I’ve met many, many diversified people and everything has been great. We’ve had ups and downs, but I feel like everyone has been like family.”

Cummings served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 2003, before joining DLA Troop Support in 2015 through the Pathways to Career Excellence Program and is retiring as a tailored logistics specialist. As a former soldier who worked in the supply and logistics field for 20 years, Cummings said he thought he knew a lot until he came to Troop Support and learned how much the organization supported him from a distance, in the states and through multiple military deployments.

“Thank you, DLA Troop Support, I’ve seen a lot, I’ve been a lot of places, but I really appreciate coming here and seeing how we support soldiers and warfighters...it was eye opening,” Cummings said.

Each retiree received a certificate of retirement, a DLA memento, a DLA Troop Support pin of appreciation and a Commander’s coin and star note. Spouses also received certificates of appreciation, respectively.

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated more than 150 years of combined federal service during a retirement ceremony in Philadelphia June 30, honoring four civilian employees.

Marie E. Owens retired from the Command Support Office after 42 years of federal service, Barbara A. Dotson retired from the Business Process Support office after 39 years of service, Brenda C. Williams retired from the Clothing & Textiles after 37 years of service, and Kenneth Cummings retired from the Medical supply chain after 35 years of service.

DLA Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Eric P. Shirley officiated the ceremony and honored the retirees’ dedication to the organization’s warfighter mission.

“The talent in DLA Troop Support is broad and it is deep, and today it’s exemplified by four great public servants,” Shirley said. “It is grace that allows us to come through the trials and tribulations of a life of service, but it is most meaningful when we’re able to come together as a team and say, ‘thank you,’ and to be with your loved ones as we go through this milestone event.”

Each retiree was joined by their respective spouses, family members and coworkers.

Owens began her federal career in 1980, as a secretary/stenographer in finance and culminated her career as a supervisory management analyst. Her career achievements include conducting an organization study on the facilities engineering division, creating a savings of approximately $300,000 and facilitating high-level process action teams such as the Defense Industrial Supply Center and Defense Personnel Support Center organizational design team.

“What a privilege and important part DLA Troop Support plays for the warfighter as well as humanitarian assistance around the world, and how honored I am to even have played a small part I have played,” Owens said.

Dotson began her federal career in 1982, as a student trainee in the federal junior fellowship program at DISC and retired as a business process analyst. Her career accomplishments along the way included numerous special act awards, performance awards and a BPS Shining Star Award for her work on the product data management initiative project bringing the engineering support process into Enterprise Business Systems.    

“What an honor and privilege to work here at DLA Troop Support...over time there have been many changes along the way and what helped [me remain] steadfast were the people, the organization, the management who helped lead us into all those changes.”

Williams started her federal career in 1984 as a provisioning supply clerk at DISC and retired as a product specialist in C&T’s long-term contracting branch. During her tenure, she earned many training certificates, awards, and accolades. Williams also volunteered for many community outreach programs including the Children’s Holiday Party, tutoring, and mentoring programs.

“Thank you for the opportunity to work here, in DLA Troop Support and I feel like I’ve been working from ‘cradle to grave,’” Williams said. “From the provisioning and to the aspect of contracting to technical supply planning, and I’ve met many, many diversified people and everything has been great. We’ve had ups and downs, but I feel like everyone has been like family.”

Cummings served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 2003, before joining DLA Troop Support in 2015 through the Pathways to Career Excellence Program and is retiring as a tailored logistics specialist. As a former soldier who worked in the supply and logistics field for 20 years, Cummings said he thought he knew a lot until he came to Troop Support and learned how much the organization supported him from a distance, in the states and through multiple military deployments.

“Thank you, DLA Troop Support, I’ve seen a lot, I’ve been a lot of places, but I really appreciate coming here and seeing how we support soldiers and warfighters...it was eye opening,” Cummings said.

Each retiree received a certificate of retirement, a DLA memento, a DLA Troop Support pin of appreciation and a Commander’s coin and star note. Spouses also received certificates of appreciation, respectively.

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