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# Leadership Reflection: Heath Buswell

DLA Disposition Services Mid-America

### Operations Program Manager

                Heath Buswell                            Official portrait of Heath Buswell DLA Disposition Services Mid-America            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: BushwellVIRIN: 220515-D-DO441-1780 **Describe your job in a sentence or two?**

 I am the new Operations Program Manager for DSD Mid-America. I oversee operations for the region and assist the field sites with programs, procedures to be successful with their support of the Warfighter.

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

For a total of 28 and a half years, 22 years in the Marine Corps. and 6 1⁄2 years with DLA-DS.

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

Being in the Marine Corps., operations has always interested me.  As I move from positions, I get to see how each level of leadership has more responsibility and how it all unfolds in supporting the Warfighter.     

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

Always do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

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

Loyalty.  Loyalty to the Agency and to the employees that make our organization so great.

**Tell us how you approach change? **

I assess the change and determine the good and bad points and analyze positive feedback.

**What keeps you motivated? **

I have many years of service left to give to the agency and I want to keep improving the processes. 

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

Drive, conviction, energy.

**What do you see as your biggest challenge right now? **

Assuming this new position, learning the requirements and coincidentally, from the next question, networking.

**Why is networking to build professional relationships so important in achieving success? **

Networking is a huge part of being successful.  You can explore ideas of other and alter the process to make it better which saves more time in the long run.  Making the processes easier and more user-friendly increases morale and productivity.

**What mistakes have you seen individuals make that prevent them from being successful?** 

Complacency.  I worked with an individual who had so much potential. 

**What was your first job with DLA? **

Material Examiner and Identifier (WG-6912-06) August 2015

**What are your hobbies?** 

Golfing, hunting, fishing, and family.

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DLA DSLeadership SpotlightDLA DisDLA Disposition Services 50th AnniversaryPeople & Culture DSMid-America DS