# First Quarter Employee Recognition

/ Published March 15, 2019

Defense Logistics Agency Energy employees were recognized for the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 for their achievements to the organization’s mission and Warfighter support. 

**Military Officer of the Quarter**:Air Force Maj. Charles Morton, DLA Energy Americas at Houston, Texas.

As Americas at Houston Plans and Operations officer, Morton led Task Force Americas operations for Hurricane Michael response efforts providing fuel sustainment in support of the activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency contingency fuel contract for hurricane relief efforts in Florida. 

Morton’s Warfighter first mentality earned him the “go-to” planner for U.S. Army Reserve Quartermaster’s Liquid Logistics Exercise 2019 and lead action officer for Vigilant Shield Exercise 19.

“Maj. Morton quickly became pivotal to the day-to-day operations of the DLA Energy Americas sub-region and is essential in ensuring uninterrupted fuel support to the Warfighter and agency customers,” said DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Albert Miller in his nomination package.

**Civilian Employees of the Quarter**: Daniel Muranaka, DLA Energy HawaiiJacob Vigil, DLA Energy Supplier Operations Installation Energy

Selected in the GS-7/12 category, Muranaka is recognized for his superior leadership and exceptional teamwork that sparked an improvement initiative, saving the government up to $1 million per year while also generating revenue through recycling fuel oil reclaimed for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii. 

A quality assurance representative for DLA Energy Hawaii, and a trained chemist, Muranaka analyzed Naval Facilities Hawaii’s fuel oil for reclamation and determined it could be reprocessed for use instead of disposal and negotiated an environmentally conscious venture with two local refineries in Hawaii. 

“His ingenuity and extensive outreach with both the refineries as well as NAVFAC-HI strengthens DLA’s reputation for cost-consciousness and ethical business processes,” said DLA Energy Hawaii Commander Navy Cmdr. Eric Lockett.

Selected in the GS-13/15 category, Vigil is recognized for his management and execution of 26 Energy Savings Performance Contracts, totaling more than $500 million. Most noteworthy was the execution of the award for Misawa Air Base, Japan. The 2011 tsunami affected the base with widespread natural disaster and significant loss of life in the surrounding communities comprising electrical power. After two years in development, an ESPC project valued at more than $450 million was awarded in December 2018. 

As a supervisory contracting officer, Vigil fostered strong partnerships with the Air Force ESPC program office, senior leadership and Misawa AB while effectively negotiating an $8.4 million reduction in the contract implementation costs. This resulted in a cost savings, before currency fluctuation, of $35.2 million over the term of the contract.

Vigil’s can-do attitude, technical prowess, proficiency and dedication to the success of executing a highly complex contract serves as an inspiration to his entire division, noted his nominating official.

**DLA Director's Strategic Goals Award nomination**:DLA Energy Americas at Houston East Southeast Quality Team• GS-13   Fernando Romero• GS-12   Stacy Miller• GS-12   Edward Lewis• GS-12   Bryan Hill• GS-12   Angela Phillips• GS-12   Jerry Allen• GS-12   Ronnie Brock• Army Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Mouzon• Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lynell Mcleod

Nominated in the small team category for their outstanding support and commitment to continual process improvement, DLA Energy Americas at Houston East Southeast Quality Team excelled in two distinct areas of the DLA Strategic Plan: Warfighter First and Whole of Government.

In the category of Warfighter First, the team distinguished themselves with their ability to recognize, plan, coordinate and execute simultaneous missions throughout a complex and dynamic area of operation. In the category of Whole of Government, the team distinguished themselves with their ability to conduct multi-country logistical planning and execution of various missions.

“We all know that no one succeeds alone, so I offer my personal thanks to everyone who was part of the larger team that continues to make us successful day-in and day-out,” said DLA Energy Acting Commander Guy Beougher in an e-mail to the workforce.

DLA Energy winners will move on to compete with other DLA personnel for DLA quarterly awards.