Leadership Reflection: Camellia Cochran
 
  Area Manager Camellia Cochran  Group photo of people outside in safety equipment
        Camellia Cochran deployed
            Group photo of Camellia Cochran and her team deployed Kuwait Camp Arifjan.

            SHARE IMAGE:

                Download Image
                    Image Details
                    
                    Photo By: DLA DS
                    
                    VIRIN: 220727-D-YU183-222 Describe your job in a sentence or two. I’m responsible for the execution of the disposal mission in support of DoD authorized customers assigned to a large geographical area in CONUS. I operate the centralized worksite within the entire area of responsibility. I’m directly responsible for managing and provide input, interpret, and implement policy and operation decisions that support the warfighter goals and mission and DLA Disposition Services. What is your area of responsibility? All of Ohio, *Wright*-*Patterson Air Force* Base, *Naval* Surface Warfare Center Crane, Naval Station Great Lakes, Scott *Air Force* Base, Rock Island Arsenal, Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, Michigan, and West Virginia. How long have you worked with the federal government including military service? Going on 38 years. How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services? 36 years What is your favorite thing about your line of work?  Every day it is a different challenge to complete a daily task as Area Manager for Disposition Service Columbus. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?  As a supervisor you will know to tell your employees it’s time to move on after you had developed their knowledge and skills.  I go by this, “A good mentor hopes you will move on. A great mentor knows you will!” What is your favorite memory with DLA Disposition Services?  When I received the award for the FY19 Best Large Site.  A Superior Sustained Award from DSD Dale Bennett, for setting up the long-term storage mission for B and Q DEMIL.  Setting up the retail store at Columbus for the public. I was deployed as the Chief DRMO at Al Asad for six months July 2008- January 2009.  I then Deployed in Kuwait Camp Arifjan July 2010 – Dec 2010 for six months. What is one characteristic that you think every leader should possess? How to lead people thru a mission, must have some type of leadership skills assigned to you in your life in order to lead people. What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into your line of work? Communication is the secret to success. How would you describe your leadership style and why has it worked so well for you? You must be flexible, and you must listen to others needs and wants. What keeps you motivated?  To support the warfighter. What do you look for when evaluating top talent? When a person is eager to learn more about their job duties and ask their supervisor for extra work to develop their skills for the next level of promotion. What do you believe is your biggest accomplishment and why? Working as a Program Manager for DSD Mid America for 10 years and handling over total of 23 states. What are your best practices for achieving goals or accomplishing tasks?  Take one day at a time and don’t get stressed out. What do you see as your biggest challenge? The interview process we have for Disposition Services.  None of the other DLA MSCs must go thru the interview process like Disposition Services specific for entry level positions. Why is networking to build professional relationships so important in achieving success? You must maintain a good rapport with your peers, and the base to be successful. What mistakes have you seen individuals make that prevent them from being successful? Employee will fake their job duties and passed their duties to other employees.  They failed to learn their job. What would you have done differently in your career if given the opportunity?  Nothing at all. Name your favorite or recent book(s) you have read? Learning about retirement. Tell us something most people may not know about you or your directorate.  I’m an outgoing person. What was your first job? WG-4 stock selector for Depot. What is your best memory of working here? The Award for the Best Site award in the large site category for FY19. What did you want to be when you grew up?  Pro basketball player. Who is your hero? My father. If you chose to do anything for a day, what would it be?  Have a winning lottery ticket for $400 million. What are your hobbies? Sports. What is your favorite quote?  Never Give Up, go over, go under, go around, or go through, But Never Give Up.