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# DLA Energy contracting officers mentoring program

By Grace Allen, Defense Department College Acquisition Internship Program management analyst

                FORT BELVOIR, Va.  –              
The Defense Logistics Agency Energy Acquisition Workforce Development Division kicked off a new year of the Contracting Officer Mentoring Program at DLA McNamara Headquarters Complex on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Jan. 17.

For the past seven years, the program has built bonds between DLA Energy’s contracting officers using mentorship to support continual learning, leadership development and technical proficiency.

In her opening remarks, Gabriella Earhardt, DLA Energy’s Head of the Contracting Activity, challenged the audience to make a firm decision about their goals instead of a hopeful statement. She stressed the value of prioritizing both personal and professional development reminding everyone that it is a daily decision to expand their knowledge, seize opportunities and advance their commitment to the mission.

Over the next eight months, approximately 60 program participants will be offered seven seminars spanning topics such as The Nature of the Business, Back to the Basics of Contract Actions, Effective Facilitation of Team Collaboration, and more. A different special guest speaker will lead each seminar to offer a fresh perspective on how to the contracting officers can increase their mission effectiveness and efficiency.

To improve collaboration and team building, participants are divided into five small groups and assigned a group leader. This year’s group leaders include Lou Morse, Alicia Jackson, Joy Massey, Lawrence Watson and Ryan Logan. They will be facilitating and documenting group discussions and attendance, as well as serving as the seminar emcees.

Jackson, a contracting officer in DLA Energy Bulk Supply Chain Services, said her goal is to foster a positive learning experience.

“The program provides an environment to communicate with our peers when you have questions or situations that you need to discuss,” she said.

Keynote speaker at this year’s kick-off was Air Force Col. Michael Boswell, director of DLA Energy Customer Operations. His words instilled the importance of every aspect of a contracting officer’s job.

“Just like the intricate workings of a finely tuned machine, every part is essential. Whether you're negotiating complex contracts, ensuring a steady supply of critical resources, or managing intricate logistics, your contribution is vital,” he said.

Boswell shared the parable of the pencil, a story that draws parallelism between a pencil and a person leaving their mark on every surface they touch. The parable follows a pencil maker and their wise advice given to every pencil they make. Boswell emphasized the five things that refine and sharpen any person: mentorship, trials and tribulations, life lessons, substance, and perseverance.

Boswell described the contracting officers as “quiet guardians of our nation” with “indispensable worth” challenging them to fully commit themselves to the Contracting Officer Mentorship Program.

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