# Energy honors third quarter employees

/ Published Aug. 22, 2018
FORT BELVOIR, Virginia , 
Putting the operational needs of the warfighter first earned two Defense Logistics Agency Energy Middle East employees the honor of Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018.

Patrick Draper, customer account specialist, earned the WG/WL/GS-7 to 12 category and Chancley Meadows, contract specialist, earned the GS-13 to GS-15 category for the period of April 1 through June 30. 

“Patrick’s superior performance, leadership, expertise and teamwork have been instrumental to the successful execution of DLA Energy Middle East’s mission in support of U.S. Central Command’s operational requirements,” said DLA Energy Middle East Chief of Operations Army Maj. Heath Weaver. 

Draper, who is personified as a leader and mentor in his field, worked hand in hand with the DLA Energy contracting office to develop alternative solutions to mitigate fuel supply challenges in Iraq. He collaborated with supply planners and contracting officers to place orders against one-time buy contracts. His efforts ensured continued fuel support to the warfighter, who rely on DLA Energy’s uninterrupted fuel support.

Furthermore, Draper placed fuel requirement orders totaling nearly 16 million gallons of fuel for 118 customers in Syria, United Arab Emirates and Qatar as well as completed 336 acceptances in the Invoicing, Receipt, Acceptance, and Property Transfer system for 4.2 million gallons of fuel, worth $15.8 million. He also reduced the Unliquidated Obligations and Unfilled Customer Orders. 

“The filing of the evidentiary matter process is crucial to the auditability requirements within the Department of Defense and DLA,” Weaver said. “Patrick proved this through the completion of 76 ULOs and returning more than $21 million back to (DLA’s) Defense Working Capital fund.”

Meadows, also a mission-focused employee, overcame challenges and proved himself adaptable as a contract specialist and newly appointed contracting officer for the Middle East region. 

“Chance’s superior performance, exceptional teamwork and leadership were the driving forces in supporting fuel and direct delivery sites in the region for the warfighter,” said DLA Energy Middle East Supplier Operations Deputy Jack Whitaker.

Sustaining warfighter first, Meadows managed more than 60 contracts across 14 countries, totaling more than 330 contract line item numbers valued at more than $4 billion. For accountability purposes, he managed a contract award spreadsheet for the region that validated an average stockage objective of 98 percent, 23 percent above standard, in support of Operations Freedom Sentinel and Inherent Resolve, allowing for zero disruptions to CENTCOM missions.

Meadows’ efforts helped DLA secure a fuel contract award in Jordan. According to the citation, the contract was initially protested, preventing execution; however, Meadows worked with Energy International Agreements experts to coordinate with State Department officials to ensure there were zero interruptions to fuel deliveries. 

Meadows also registered 42 applicable DLA Energy CENTCOM vendors in the mandatory Joint Contracting and Contingency Services. This system is unique to the CENTCOM area of responsibility and ensures that a vendor and all employees, pose no danger to U.S. interests, he said.

“In keeping with the DLA Strategic Plan, Warfighter first objective, Address Risk, Meadows is the sole manager for ensuring vendors are registered and in compliance in the JCCS,” Whitaker said.

Continuing to build strong partnerships, Meadows was instrumental in hosting a customer-facing event with DLA Energy fuel purchase card vendor Krupp Holdings International Inc., DLA Energy employees and U.S. Navy senior leaders. Attendees expressed positive and close collaboration in a synchronized effort.

“Congratulations to the third quarter award winners who are our greatest asset, exceeding high expectations, while enabling every DLA Energy mission requirement,” said DLA Energy Acting Commander Guy Beougher.