# DLA Distribution highlights distribution center deputy commanders/directors for Women’s History Month 2021

/ Published March 31, 2021
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
The theme of National Women’s History Month is honoring the past, securing the future. In honor of this national celebration of trailblazing women, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution is highlighting the accomplishments of women senior leaders during the month of March. To round out the month, DLA Distribution recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of its women deputy commanders and deputy directors:

**DLA Distribution Bahrain – Karen Lundy, Deputy Commander**Lundy has been with DLA for nine years, starting at DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, then working in Operations, Logistics Transportation Policy, DLA Distribution Bahrain and Information Operations. Lundy has an extensive background with more than 20 years in the transportation field. This includes time with supply, warehousing, and inventory experience. Lundy served as the warehouse manager of a private industry auto parts wholesaler for more than five years. She also served with the U.S. Army in logistics for four years and the U.S. Army Reserve for six. Lundy has received several awards including the Commander’s Award for Public Service and various certificates of achievement and commander’s coins.

**DLA Distribution Cherry Point, North Carolina – Jennifer Davis, Deputy Director**Davis started her career in the United States Marine Corps in 1994.  She held numerous progressive assignments during her tour and retired as an E-8 Master Sergeant Communication Electronics Maintenance Chief after twenty years of service.Davis joined DLA Distribution Cherry Point in April of 2015, assuming the position of Contracting Officer Representative. She currently holds a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act level 2 in project management with over twelve years of experience in contracts and contract management.  In January 2020, Ms. Davis was promoted to deputy director of DLA Distribution Cherry Point, NC.  DDCN supports the 2nd Marine Air Wing, numerous Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, the largest Marine Air Station in the world, and the Naval Air Systems Command's Fleet Readiness Center- East, Cherry Point, as well as military and government customers worldwide.

**DLA Distribution Europe – Crimson Smith, Deputy Commander**Upon completion of the U.S. Army intern program, Smith accepted a position with DLA, joining the DLA Distribution Kuwait Southwest Asia Theater Consolidation and Shipping Point, operation as a general supply specialist. Smith was promoted to deputy of the TCSP operation June 2008. In Dec. 2008, the TCSP operation and DLA Distribution Kuwait Southwest Asia consolidated, and Smith was assigned as the chief of operations. Smith later served as Deputy Commander of DLA Distribution Kuwait from September2010, until its closure December 2012. Upon completion of her tour in Southwest Asia, Smith was assigned to DLA Distribution Headquarters in January 2013 and became the Material Movement Division Chief in September 2013. She assumed the DDDE deputy commander position in September 2013.

**DLA Distribution Korea – Macy Ooka, Deputy Director**Ooka became deputy director of DLA Distribution Korea in June 2018. Ooka has been employed with the federal government for 28 years. Before her current assignment, Ooka was the director of DLA Distribution Guam, Marianas, beginning in January 2015. She was a part of the team that was given a commendable rating for the 2012 DLA Distribution Compliance Review. Ooka was presented two Letters of Appreciation: one from the General Services Administration for assisting in the stand-up of GSA ServMart at Naval Base Guam in 2012 and from former DLA Distribution Commander Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Peter Talleri, retired, for supporting DLA Distribution Hill, Utah, in 2009. She has received other personal awards as well, including the DLA Civilian Meritorious Service Award, and multiple DLA Superior Civilian Service awards for her contributions to inventory accuracy and Operation Tomodachi.

**DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia – Christine Johnson-Buono, Deputy Commander**Johnson-Buono became the DDNV deputy commander in June 2019. She has over 27 years of combined corporate and Navy broad based logistics experience, to include Operations and Supply Chain management. Before her position with DLA Distribution Norfolk, Virginia, Johnson-Buono led the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness compliance efforts for Military Sealift Command with Professional Analysis Inc. She provided leadership to government global distribution facilities comprised of twelve locations spanning North America, Asia, Pacific, and Middle East for over 45,000-line items valued at $419 million with maintenance of 98%inventory validity, while managing process and compliance performance. Johnson-Buono’s awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.

**DLA Distribution Pearl Harbor, Hawaii – Debra Simpson, Deputy Commander**Simpson has served as the deputy commander of DDPH since December2019. Simpson initially joined DLA Energy in June 2011 as branch chief, financial programs liaison, Finance Directorate and in May 2013 assumed the position of chief, Fuels Support Branch, Finance Directorate. She then served as branch chief, program analysis and master planning/deputy Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization Division, DLA Energy. She was responsible for managing the SRM Division’s logistical, distribution, engineering, statistical and financial data in support of over 500 military installations worldwide with a real property value of more than $37 billion. Simpson’s professional training include: Army Management Staff College, Army Command and General Staff College and the Department of Defense Contracting Officer Representative Course. Simpson is also a certified Defense Financial Manager.

**DLA Distribution Puget Sound, Washington – Susan Bautista-Lucio, Deputy Commander**Bautista-Lucio became deputy commander of DLA Distribution Puget Sound, Washington, in December 2017. She joined DLA in June 2006 as an information technology technician. She served as the deputy commander of DLA Distribution Sigonella, Italy, from July 2016 to December 2017. She also served as the distribution facilities manager for DLA Distribution Puget Sound, Washington, from 2008 to 2011. Before becoming the deputy commander, she was the accountable officer for DDSI and served as the radiation protection officer and quality assurance officer during that time. Lucio’s civilian awards include the DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Award and two Superior Civilian Service medals. She was nominated for the Jerry R. Taylor Award and was instrumental in making DDSI the Michael Yost Medium-sized Distribution Center of the Year. Lucio holds certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Life Cycle Logistics.

**DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California – Jodie Johnson-Micks, Deputy Commander**As the deputy commander of DDJC, Johnson-Micks exercises supervisory responsibilities for more than 1,500 employees, as well as distribution operations for the Department of Defense’s Western Strategic Distribution Platform and DLA’s primary distribution point to the western United States and Indo-Pacific regions. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Johnson-Micks worked for Lockheed Martin from 2009-2014 where she served as the team lead for the IGC Outreach Program and was responsible for educating logistics professionals worldwide on the IGC program. During this time, she taught numerous classes at DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California, and this eventually led to her seeking the DDJC group chief position. After serving in that role for two years she was promoted to chief, Distribution and Specialized Missions Group, where she oversaw more than 380 employees responsible for transportation and specialized warehouse operations, to include: Unitized Group Rations; Consolidation and Containerization Point; Kitting; Reutilization; Transfer; Donation and Sales Team and the Automated Materiel Handling Systems. She served as the chief, Distribution and Specialized Missions Group position for almost three years before her promotion to deputy commander.

**DLA Distribution Warner Robins, Georgia – Melinda Stahl, Deputy Director**Stahl assumed the role as the deputy director at DDWG in September 2020. Before this position, Stahl held numerous positions within DLA Aviation and DLA Distribution. From 2017-2020, Stahl served as a material management section chief for DLA Aviation at Warner Robins, Georgia, overseeing the retail material support for both the Aircraft Maintenance Group and the Electronics Maintenance Group. During her time supporting Aircraft Maintenance, she led a team of approximately 40 individuals overseeing the management of over $74 million in parts. During her time supporting the Electronics Maintenance Group, she led a team of over 50 individuals working to manage over $50 million in inventory supporting the Air Force maintenance customers. Stahl is Level III certified in Life Cycle Logistics. She has received numerous awards, most notably the DLA Director’s Strategic Goals Certificate twice.