An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

Defense Logistics AgencyThe Nation's Combat Logistics Support Agency

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  What DLA Offers    -  Excess Property Disposal             
  -  Document Services             
  -  Products             
  -  Services             
  -  Programs 
-  Working With DLA    -  Applications             
  -  Small Business             
  -  Federal and International Cataloging             
  -  Defense Data Standards             
  -  Events             
  -  Procurement Policies             
  -  Government Programs             
  -  Forms 
-  Organizations    -  DLA Headquarters             
  -  DLA Aviation             
  -  DLA Disposition Services             
  -  DLA Distribution             
  -  DLA Energy             
  -  DLA Land and Maritime             
  -  DLA Troop Support             
  -  DLA CENTCOM & SOCOM             
  -  DLA Europe & Africa             
  -  DLA Indo-Pacific 
-  Customer Support    -  Self Help Tools             
  -  How to Order             
  -  Find Your Order             
  -  Customer Facing Offices             
  -  Training             
  -  Brochures             
  -  Warfighter Support             
  -  Customer Service Management 
-  Careers		 
-  About DLA    -  Contact Us             
  -  Locations             
  -  Leaders             
  -  News             
  -  History             
  -  Media Gallery             
  -  DLA Campaigns 

HomeAbout DLANewsNews Article View

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# Hispanic Heritage Month Employee Spotlight – Maria Zavala

By Pamela SmithDLA Aviation Public Affairs Office

                RICHMOND, Va.  –              
*National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed yearly from September 15 to October 15. It is a time to celebrate the achievements, histories, traditions, and cultural diversity of Hispanic Americans whose heritage is rooted in 20 Latin American countries and territories.*

*In observance of 2023’s Hispanic Heritage Month, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation will feature employees of Hispanic heritage to appear in spotlights.*

**Name -** Maria Zavala

**Job title:**Quality Assurance Specialist

**Organization:** Supplier Operations Commodities Directorate’s Engine and Airframes Division, DLA Aviation at Richmond

**How long have you worked for DLA?** 1 year

**Please describe your job in a sentence or two.** I assist in preparing the material masters that describe the item’s specifications for national stock number assignments. The material master is used to locate and purchase material, and then inspect its quality. The main assigned aircraft I support is the Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter jet.

**How do you support the warfighter?**I support the warfighter by ensuring the quality of the parts they receive are made to standards and specifications in accordance with Department of Defense policy.

**The theme for this Hispanic History Month in 2023 is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno – We Are All, We Are One; In your words, briefly explain what this means to you?**Our theme evokes a celebration of diversity within the Hispanic community, which is formed from many unique individual cultures. We are all part of the Hispanic community that has shaped part of our identity, and yet we are one – uniquely our own. 

**Tell us something unique about your heritage or country of origin.**While I was born in the United States, both of my parents are from El Salvador. We spent several summers in El Salvador visiting family, giving me an opportunity to learn a lot about the country. For example, El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America, but happens to also be the most densely populated. It is also the only Central American country that doesn’t have a Caribbean coastline.

**What is one thing you’d like others to know about your heritage?**Community and family are the pillars of Hispanic heritage. Our gatherings tend to be large and place special emphasis on sharing food with one another. For Hispanics, family is a term that is extended to neighbors, friends, and other members of the community that surround our traditional nuclear family. Our extended families are referred to as uncles, aunts, and cousins, monikers that hold tokens of love, respect, and inclusion.

**Why is it important to you that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?**Hispanic Heritage Month is important to me because it affords us the ability to celebrate the richness of our diverse community, while also giving us a chance to be seen by others. I believe cultures thrive by recognizing the diversity of thought, background, and who we are. Therefore, when they show up authentically, we all win.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

DLA AviatonPeople and CultureEmployee SpotlightHispanic Heritage Month