# Leadership Spotlight:  Tim Dauten

/ Published April 1, 2023
BATTLE CREEK, Mich, 
**Leadership Spotlight:  Tim Dauten**

**Deputy Director DLA Disposition Services Mid-America Deputy Director**

**San Antonio, Texas**

**Can you tell us about yourself?** I grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, and I am an Air Force veteran.  I have two grown daughters and one granddaughter.  I love anything outdoors, to include hiking and fishing, and I love to travel.  I am a huge Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals fan.

                Tim Dauten has served with DLA Disposition Services for 14 years. He is currently the Deputy Director for the Mid-America region.                            Tim Dauten                            Tim Dauten has served with DLA Disposition Services for 14 years. He is currently the Deputy Director for the Mid-America region.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Mid -AmericaVIRIN: 230328-D-DO441-007**Describe your job in a sentence or two.**  I am the Deputy Director for the Mid-America region.  I provide support to the Mid-America team, as well as the Mid-America Director.  I oversee the DSD’s Resource Analysts and Safety and Occupational Health personnel.

**How long have you worked for the federal government including military service?** 17 years.

**How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services?** 14 years.

**What is your favorite thing about your line of work?**  The people.

**What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?** If you want to be successful in this agency you should be mobile.

**Awards/Recognition**:  Two Superior Civilian Service Awards, Iraq 2010, and Afghanistan 2013

**What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?**Patience.

**Tell us how you approach change.**  Keep an open mind.

**What keeps you motivated.**Retirement. 

**What do you look for when evaluating top talent?**  Positive attitude and go-getter mentality.

**What do you see as your biggest challenge right now?**  Helping the Mid-America team during the Warehouse Management System rollout.

**Why is networking to build professional relationships so important in achieving success?**It allows you to see and learn other thoughts and opinions on a wide variety of topics.  It can provide contacts in areas where you may need help or input to achieve a goal, or the mission.

**What mistakes have you seen individuals make that prevent them from being successful?**  Some people will go the extra mile and that may only get them so far.  But going the extra two miles can push you to the next level...and people will see it. 

**What would you have done differently in your career if given the opportunity?**  I would have loved to have gone overseas, other than on a deployment.

**Tell us something that most people might not know about you?**When I got out of the Air Force, I was a journeyman carpenter before coming to DLA.

**What was your first job?**  My first job in high school was a cook at Imo’s Pizza in St. Louis, and my first job with DLA was at Colorado Springs as a Wage Grade Materials Examiner and Identifier.

**What is your best memory of working for DLA?**  My 2013 Afghanistan deployment.

**What did you want to be when you grew up?** Center Fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.

**Who is your hero?**  Reggie Jackson.

**If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?**  Sit on a beach with a cold beer.

**What are your hobbies?** Fishing, travel, woodworking, MLB, NFL, and spending time with my kids.

**What is your favorite quote?**  For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.