# Town Hall opens lines of communications

/ Published Jan. 29, 2019

Defense Logistics Agency Energy employees packed the Fort Belvoir McNamara Headquarters Complex auditorium to hear the Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Albert Miller speak at a town hall Jan. 22.

Miller reviewed the dynamic operating plan strategy map and Energy’s place within the DLA Strategy map. He also discussed efforts for the 2019 audit.

“Last year we visited 60 Defense Fuel Support Points,” Miller said. “The team put in a lot of work to satisfy the auditors’ questions. This year we will focus on internal controls to make sure we are tracking our inventory and processes.” 

Focusing on results, Miller presented the DLA Energy Culture Climate 2018 video that featured the results of the fiscal year 2018 Culture Climate Survey.

“I want to thank everyone within DLA Energy for their outstanding participation in the 2018 Culture Climate Survey,” Miller said. “The 2018 Energy specific results showed a marked improvement of how we are continually improving our culture and climate with an average score of 83. Twenty-two points higher than the last time we conducted the survey in 2016.”

Darcy Hall, director of Manpower and Administrative Support, briefed the lessons learned from the Department of Defense Performance Management and Appraisal Program’s first performance cycle. She stressed the importance of ongoing communication between supervisor and employee, as well as the necessity of keeping track of accomplishments, special projects and unique assignments. 

“The performance cycle will close out March 31,” Hall said. “Our timeline will be short with employees needing to have their self-assessment completed by April 5.”

Miller then transitioned the discussion to the three DLA Energy councils dedicated to improving employee engagement and increasing communication within the workforce.

“These councils are responsible for managing and implementing the command culture climate plan to the workforce,” Miller said. “They are the conduit to how we improve the culture, enhance communication and provide opportunities for professional development.”

The Culture Climate Council champion is Greg Thevenin and he is assisted by Rozanna Cherry and Latonya Beach. The council team shares ideas and recommendations to improve the cultural environment on behalf of the workforce.

The Supervisory Council’s role is to identify challenges and discuss best practices at the supervisor level to improve employee-supervisory engagement. The council is led by Rachel Dunlap with chairwoman Callie Ettleson-Lake and co-chair Angela Jones. 

The Training Council champion is Susan Turner, assisted by the chairman Ditu Kasuyi and co-chair Juebiline Mbandi. They focus on training and development issues to develop and build the workforce at all levels.

Miller invited the 2019 Worldwide Energy Conference Coordinator Bruce Blank to brief the audience on the upcoming event scheduled at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, May 20-22.

“The 2019 Worldwide Energy Conference is rapidly approaching, and I encourage everyone to register,” Blank said. “We will have 95 training sessions scheduled and more information will be coming shortly.”

The commander recognized employees who reached career milestones in federal service of 30 and 35 years. Notably, he acknowledged DLA Energy Middle East Deputy Director Bruce Jones for 40 years of federal service and DLA Energy Customer Operations Support Team Lead Ed Goldsack for 45 years of federal service.

The following employees were recognized with the Superior Civilian Service Award: Blank; DLA Energy Middle East employees Toninette Sledge, Stephanie Lehman and Ed Lewis; and DLA Energy Americas Maria Rodriguez.

After taking several questions from the audience, Miller concluded the town hall with a heartfelt thank you.