# DLA Director visits Land and Maritime, reviews business operations plan

/ Published June 17, 2021
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
Defense Logistics Agency Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic visited DLA Land and Maritime at the Defense Supply Center Columbus on June 1 for an in-person round table discussion regarding business operations and how they will be integrated into DLA’s new Strategic Plan.

While on her visit at the DSCC, Skubic took time prior to the start of the round table discussion to visit Land and Maritimes Product Testing Centers. The testing centers perform professional scientific evaluations of products and related services for DLA. Other DoD activities include product testing, technical support, product design, and performance verification testing.

Skubic’s visit to the PTCs consisted of two modern testing facilities: the Electronics Product Test Center and the Mechanical Product Test Center. The EPTC tests more than 1,800 projects annually and is home to Land and Maritime’s new battery test lab. The MPTC tests more than 1,700 projects annually.

Following her visit at the PTC, Skubic toured DSCC’s Fire and Police Stations. During her tour she was provided a thorough report of DSCC’s Security and Emergency Services mission and response capabilities which included: Security and Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, AT/Force Protection, Physical Security, Emergency Management, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives, Criminal Intelligence, Emergency Communications/Dispatch for police and Pass and ID and Visitor Processing.

At the conclusion of her facilities visit, Skubic presented DLA Director Challenge Coins to Neil Cornett, Jose Nieto, Bobby Gaston, Gene Barto, Eric Bagley, Ethan Lindell, Eric Kelly, Jeremiah Jones, Dick Rochford, Larry Baas and Tony Cea.

A challenge coin is a coin or medallion bearing an organization's insignia or emblem and carried by the organization's members. Traditionally, they’re given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. In addition, they’re also used to recognize participation or achievement.

Before the start of the discussion, Skubic addressed Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. Kristen Fabry and her senior leadership team’s accomplishments and dedication to the warfighter.

“It’s awesome to be back in Columbus, in ways it feels longer than three years, and in others, it’s as if I were just here, it’s an opportunity I’m greatly honored to have,” Skubic said.

Skubic continued “I applaud you, admiral, for coming in here and taking command in the midst of a global pandemic, where you couldn’t meet your crew in a traditional manner, having to get to know one another while wearing masks, meeting virtually via video teleconferences, all while finding a way to build that trust and team camaraderie. This has been an extremely difficult task for leaders everywhere. It really speaks to the extraordinary work you along with the Land and Maritime leadership team have been able to accomplish in the difficult environment we’ve been working in. You truly have a great team here.”

Land and Maritime Director of Operations Griff Warren kicked off the discussion by welcoming Skubic back to Columbus. Skubic, who previously served as commander of Land and Maritime from June 2016 to June 2018, was then greeted by several familiar faces and brief introductions from the newest members of leadership team.

With introductions concluded, agenda items for discussion during the meeting were reviewed and prioritized.

For approximately two hours, Land and Maritime directors and supervisors presented Skubic with detailed information pertaining to leadership changes across Land and Maritime, the most recent data pertaining to Material Funding & Lever Adjustments, current and projected performance updates on backorders, material availability, and SuperKIDs. SuperKID refers to key items that are ordered frequently and often in very large quantities.

At the conclusion of the briefing, Skubic once again congratulated and thanked all those in attendance and for a great discussion. She praised everyone at Land and Maritime for their commitment to the Warfighter.

“It’s been great to see so many familiar faces, such great leadership here, I’m glad to have been able to spend a few minutes back here in Columbus,” Skubic said. It’s great to see all the folks across Land and Maritime accomplishing such great things, it really is an “A” team,” she added.

“This is a team that knows how to get after problems and always seems to be able to look at problems with a fresh set of eyes, I appreciate that commitment, this is a team whose standards I would hold up to any other. It really comes down to trust and communication. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the Strat-plan, I think we have a strong way forward, I’m excited about what this organization has done for the warfighter.”