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# Leadership changes hands at DLA Distribution Norfolk

By Diana DawaDLA Distribution Public Affairs

                NORFOLK, Va.  –              
Navy Capt. Peter Braendeholm took command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, from outgoing Navy Capt. Justin Lewis, during a change of command ceremony Aug. 17.  Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, Jr., commander of DLA Distribution, officiated the ceremony.                 Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, Jr., left, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, looks on as Navy Capt. Justin Lewis, center, outgoing commander of DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, stands ready to be relieved of command by incoming commander, Navy Capt. Peter Braendeholm, during a change of command ceremony held Aug. 17, 2023, at Pier 8 on Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Photo by Alvin Williams, DLA Distribution Public Affairs.                            Leadership changes hands at DLA Distribution Norfolk                            Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, Jr., left, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, looks on as Navy Capt. Justin Lewis, center, outgoing commander of DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, stands ready to be relieved of command by incoming commander, Navy Capt. Peter Braendeholm, during a change of command ceremony held Aug. 17, 2023, at Pier 8 on Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Photo by Alvin Williams, DLA Distribution Public Affairs.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Diana Dawa, DLA Distribution Public AffairsVIRIN: 230815-D-BU818-3300

During Lewis’s tenure DDNV consistently remained a “Top 5” - or higher -- performer among all 24 global DLA distribution centers in performance areas of quality, wholesale, retail, infrastructure, high dollar value inventory adjustments and overall site health. Included in this achievement was an annual inventory rate of more than 99%, representing a year-over-year validity increase.

Under Lewis’s watch, DDNV was recertified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a Voluntary Protection Program star site. This program designation recognized the command’s implementation of effective safety and health management systems, while maintaining injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages in the command’s work area. As part of VPP, DDNV management, labor and OSHA worked cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system focused on hazard prevention and control, worksite analysis, training and management commitment and worker involvement.

In addition to DDNV being labeled by OSHA as a “best practice” site for the command’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic during their September 2021 recertification visit, the command played a significant role in the continued cold chain management of critical vaccines bound for local and global Navy ships, as well as military hospitals.

Under Lewis’ leadership, DDNV successfully implemented voice pick technology for warehousing operations. This continuous process improvement initiative simplifies warehouse picks, while bringing an improved element of inventory accuracy. An unplanned tertiary benefit of the effort, lauded by the work force, is that it adds an element of safety while working in the warehouse.

Additionally, Lewis managed a critical Fleet touchpoint located at DDNV’s main material processing center on Naval Station Norfolk. Located at the tail-end of the Fleet’s material supply chain, MPC performance as the Fleet’s central receiving facility is a key contributor to every Fleet unit’s supply range and depth, the most critical and high visibility supply readiness indicator, briefed at the highest levels as part of U.S. Navy’s Optimized Fleet Response Plan.

As the largest MPC in the world, the center provides daily support to more than eighty homeported ships; including nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, surface combatants, nuclear-powered submarines and Combat Logistics Force ships, as well as major Navy industrial activities and shore establishments.

As a result of major CPI initiatives, even with a 16% workload increase, material processing time was reduced by 58% in some instances. During increased seasonal workload demand, associated with annual end-of-fiscal year Fleet spend patterns, Lewis, and the DDNV team, took a very proactive approach in planning for increased workload, while minimizing any impact to the Fleet.

“Justin, job well done. Your leadership and guidance have served DDNV well. You will no doubt be missed by all whom you have touched. I wish you the best as you move on to your next assignment as assistant chief of staff for Logistics and Readiness, on the staff of the Commander, U.S. Second Fleet,” Chase said.

Chase then welcomed Braendeholm aboard the DLA Distribution team. Braendeholm graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.  In 2011, he graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree from Carnegie Mellon University.                 Caption 230817-D-BU818-3320:  Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, Jr., left, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, passes the organizational flag to DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, incoming commander Navy Capt. Peter Braendeholm, signifying the transfer of leadership during a change of command ceremony held at Pier 8 on Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Photo by Alvin Williams, DLA Distribution Public Affairs.                            Leadership changes hands at DLA Distribution Norfolk                            Caption 230817-D-BU818-3320:  Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, Jr., left, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, passes the organizational flag to DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, incoming commander Navy Capt. Peter Braendeholm, signifying the transfer of leadership during a change of command ceremony held at Pier 8 on Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Photo by Alvin Williams, DLA Distribution Public Affairs.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Diana Dawa, DLA Distribution Public AffairsVIRIN: 230817-D-BU818-3320

“Pete, all your previous experiences have prepared you well to take command. I know you will guide this organization with a steady hand and ensure our warfighters get what they need, when they need it. We are excited to welcome you to the DLA Distribution team!” said Chase.

Braendeholm was most recently assigned as the principal military director, Program & Business Analysis, Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland.    His first afloat assignment was on USS George Washington during Operations Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch and Noble Eagle as the disbursing officer. From 2007 to 2009, he served as the supply officer aboard the USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego, California, during OEF, OIF and various exercises in the Fifth and Seventh Fleet.

From 2018 to 2020, he served as the supply officer, USS Makin Island, San Diego, during the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter modifications and completion of all certifications. During this time, the supply department received the Best-in-Class Logistics Readiness Excellence Award and the Supply Management Excellence “Blue E” Award.

His ashore assignments include business analyst and management control officer, Navy Region Southwest, San Diego, California; regional logistics officer and comptroller, U.S. Naval Forces Korea in Seoul; director of Business Department and director of Installation Support Department, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; overseas contingency operations officer and deputy budget officer, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor and deputy business financial manager for Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program at NAVAIR in Patuxent, Maryland.

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DLADLA DistributionDLA Distribution Norfolk Virginiachange of commandLeadershipUS NavyNorfolk Naval ShipyardNaval Station Norfolk