# DLA Distribution Headquarters changes command leadership

/ Published June 28, 2022
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
The command leadership at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Headquarters changed hands June 24 as Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow relinquished command to Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, Jr., in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.

The ceremony was officiated by the DLA Director, Navy Vice Adm. Michelle C. Skubic. During her remarks, Skubic highlighted the incredible two years of Reventlow’s command.

“When Keith accepted the command colors in July 2020, we were dealing with unprecedented demands for medical supplies brought on by the pandemic. That demand changed over time but didn’t slow down much. Add to that warfighter support, hurricane response, Afghanistan retrograde and on and on – the pace rarely let up for this command,” said Skubic.

In recognition of his visionary and inspired leadership through a time of turbulence and pandemic response, Reventlow was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal.During his two-year tenure as commander of DLA Distribution, Reventlow led his team to establish a global pipeline for the distribution of the nation’s three COVID-19 vaccines, delivering over 1.2 million doses to forward deployed military personnel, their families and Defense Department contractors in 35 countries, all without loss or compromise.

Following the COVID-19 vaccine distribution mission, Reventlow was specifically chosen to lead DLA’s support of the President’s one billion free at home COVID-19 test kit mission. Working alongside the U.S. Postal Service, Reventlow and his team led the effort to distribute more than 700 million test kits to American citizens throughout the nation as part of the Health and Human Services Department Coordination Operation Response Element.

Additionally, the DLA Distribution command delivered over 36 million items of critical medical supplies and equipment to frontline healthcare workers in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and HHS, including over three million doses of flu vaccine, 13 million cloth masks and massive quantities of hand sanitizer, thermometers, COVID test kits, gloves, surgical smocks and more.

Behind the scenes of those urgent and pervasive events, there were incredible innovations going on throughout the DLA Distribution network — the modernization of storage and distribution tools and technology vital to the future of DLA Distribution, DLA and DOD. A $200 million contract was awarded in September 2020 to modernize the Eastern Distribution Center, co-located on the installation in New Cumberland. The renovations will be complete by 2024.

                Defense Logistics Agency Director, Navy Vice Adm. Michelle C. Skubic, left, presents the Defense Superior Service Medal to Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow June 24, 2022, in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, for his outstanding contributions to DLA Distribution while in command from July 2020 – June 2022. (Photo by Matthew Mahoney, DLA Distribution PAO)                            DLA Distribution Headquarters changes command leadership                            Defense Logistics Agency Director, Navy Vice Adm. Michelle C. Skubic, left, presents the Defense Superior Service Medal to Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow June 24, 2022, in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, for his outstanding contributions to DLA Distribution while in command from July 2020 – June 2022. (Photo by Matthew Mahoney, DLA Distribution PAO)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Matthew MahoneyVIRIN: 220624-D-VQ057-0001

In addition, DLA Distribution continued to serve as DOD’s joint storage and distribution provider for the F-35 Lightning II program, with seven distribution centers currently distributing F-35 material, supporting the newest generation fighter aircraft.

The incoming commander, Chase, is no stranger to DLA. He joins DLA Distribution after serving as the director, Joint Reserve Forces, DLA Headquarters in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, since Sept. 2019. Two previous command tours with Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support and Naval Forces Europe & Africa/Sixth Fleet, provide him with relevant experience to be the DLA Distribution commander. His six years of sea duty, seven command tours, nine years of expeditionary logistics and over 30 years as a customer of DLA have provide him with a deep understanding of what warfighters need at the pointy end of the spear.

He is a native of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, and the son of a World War II Navy veteran. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Syracuse University in 1983 and was commissioned through the Naval Officer Candidate School in 1986 and obtained a master’s degree from LaSalle University in Business Administration in 1997, graduating with honors.

Chase’s decorations include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various campaign and service ribbons. He is a qualified Surface Warfare Supply Corps officer, Naval Aviation Supply officer and Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps officer.