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# Women's History Month Spotlight: Tracy Keenan

By Irene SmithDLA Energy Public Affairs

                FORT BELVOIR, Va.   –              
In honor of Women’s History Month, Defense Logistics Agency Energy spotlights Tracy Keenan, the deputy director of DLA Energy Americas West at Seal Beach, California. She is one of two female deputy commanders within DLA Energy.  

“In March, we honor the extraordinary contributions women have made to our personal and professional lives and to our nation,” said DLA Energy Deputy Commander David Kless.  “Accounts of the lives of individual women are important because they reveal strong role models who share a larger vision of what a woman can do.” 

**1. What is your name and where is your hometown?**  Tracy Keenan - Harbor City, California

**2. What is your title?**   Deputy Director, DLA Energy Americas West

**3. What did you do in your previous military career?**  U.S. Navy Supply Officer (Petroleum Management Specialty)

**4. How did you get into this career field?**I was commissioned as a Navy Supply Officer through the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program; entered the petroleum field through the Supply Corps Petroleum Intern program.

**5. What advice do you have for others who may want to follow in your footsteps?**

I have two pieces of advice.  First, I would say, “don’t take anything for granted.”  Women have only had the right to vote since 1920.  Women could not serve in military combat roles 30 years ago.  When I was commissioned in the Navy, I had to go to a submarine tender because women were prevented from going to combat ships.  In the private sector, women are still fighting for equal pay for equal work.  In today’s economy and military, women are essential to meeting the bottom line and meeting the military missions.  We need to create more opportunities for women to get access to good jobs, good mentorship and good opportunities.

Second, a good work-life balance is important.  In leadership positions it is hard to un-plug.  As a leader, I want to ensure that my employees are trained and that our work is appropriately staffed so that when things come up, there are other people that can react and act on whatever the issues are.  As a leader, I must trust my organization to be professional and responsive to issues that come up outside of normal working hours.

**6. What or who was the biggest influence on your career?** There were two people who were big influences in my career: retired Navy Rear Adm. David R. Ruble encouraged me to volunteer for the Navy’s Petroleum Intern Program. Retired Navy Capt. Norma (Lee) Hackney was the Commanding Officer aboard the USS Willamette (AO-180).

**7. This year’s theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Can you please share a story about your career as a woman making a difference?**

When Hurricane Ivan hit Florida in 2004, I was stationed at Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville, Florida, as the Navy Region Southeast fuel officer.  Naval Air Station Pensacola could not access fuel for base operations due to hurricane damage to their fuel systems.  There was no available local support since flooding had damaged roads to the base.  We had an off-road/high water refueler, but it wasn’t certified for road use.  I coordinated with the local municipal government and the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles to have the vehicle temporarily approved for travel and sent a team to NAS Pensacola to deliver fuel to the base to maintain quality of life support.  We performed three roundtrips performing this mission until fuel support was restored.

Thank you, Ms. Keenan, for your service, dedication and support to Warfighters and our federal partners! 

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