Three DLA Energy employees earn agency awards
 
  By Connie Braesch
  Three Defense Logistics Agency Energy employees were honored during the DLA 56th Annual Employee Recognition Awards ceremony at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Jan. 25. Agnes Eugenio earned a Top 10 Outstanding DLA Personnel of the Year award; Army Master Sgt. Alvin Ortiz-O’Neill was named DLA’s Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Service Member of the Year; and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Curtis Bender earned the DLA Joint Reserve Force Field Grade Officer of the Year award. “Congratulations to all the winners and all who were nominated for competition. Your hard work does not go unnoticed,” said DLA Energy Commander Navy Capt. Brian Anderson. “I offer my personal thanks to everyone who was part of the larger team that contributed to these awards and to everyone who works so hard every day to ensure our success.” Fifty-six employees and teams from across the agency earned awards in 14 enterprise-wide categories including Leader of the Year, Team Performance, Enterprise Safety Excellence, Acquisition Excellence and more. During her opening remarks, DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic said the award recipients were “fiercely committed” to the DLA mission and are “inspiring examples.” **people on a stage presenting a plaque
        Three DLA Energy employees earn agency awards
            Defense Logistics Agency Energy Agnes Eugenio was one of three DLA Energy team members who earned awards during the DLA 56th Annual Employee Recognition Awards ceremony at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Jan. 25, 2024. Eugenio was named a Top 10 Outstanding DLA Personnel of the Year for her work as a customer account specialist with DLA Energy Indo-Pacific South-West on Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Photo by DLA Photographer Chris Lynch.

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                    VIRIN: 240125-D-HE260-1005** **Agnes Eugenio** earned a DLA Top 10 Outstanding Personnel of the Year for her warfighter support, guidance and training as a customer account specialist in DLA Energy’s largest geographic region, DLA Energy Indo-Pacific South-West on Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. She. She tracked and verified the quality of 866 invoice acceptances for nearly 3 million gallons of fuel worth over $10.2 million. She cross-checked 209 purchase orders to ensure they were error-free and reconciled 401 more clearing up unliquidated obligations of 6.9 million gallons. Eugenio identified, researched, processed and resolved 545 Invoice Failure Receipts which resulted in the prompt issuance of payment and resolved incorrect invoice postings. In 2023, Eugenio processed, reviewed and validated 181 fuel exercise requirements in the region screening them for accuracy resulting in a total quantity of 5.5 million gallons. She served as the command representative in planning conferences and execution for large scale exercises such as Cope North 23, Cobra Gold 23, Salaknib 23 and Balikatan Exercises 23. She resolved fuel inquiries and issues quickly and at the lowest possible level to ensure uninterrupted fuel support during these multinational exercises. “Ms. Eugenio has an inexhaustible work ethic and unwaveringly positive outlook on any scenario,” said Tonya Sterling, deputy director of DLA Energy Indo-Pacific South-West, in her nomination. “After hours, and even on leave, she is the anchor to the operations team. She is always ready and able to assist her fellow teammates, and every customer on any issue, at any time – day or night.” **people on a stage presenting a plaque
        Three DLA Energy employees earn agency awards
            Defense Logistics Agency Energy Army Master Sgt. Alvin Ortiz-O’Neill was one of three DLA Energy team members who earned awards during the DLA 56th Annual Employee Recognition Awards ceremony at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Jan. 25, 2024. Ortiz-O’Neill was named DLA’s Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Service Member of the Year for his work as DLA Energy Middle East’s Petroleum Operations non-commissioned officer in charge, quality assurance representative and the regional office’s senior enlisted advisor. Photo by DLA Photographer Chris Lynch.

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                    VIRIN: 240125-D-HE260-1115** **Army Master Sgt. Alvin Ortiz-O’Neill** is DLA Energy Middle East’s Petroleum Operations non-commissioned officer in charge. He is also a quality assurance representative and the regional office’s senior enlisted advisor. He was named the DLA Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Service Member of the Year for his support of U.S. Central Command including Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield. He was recognized for his efforts to coordinate the direct bulk fuel delivery for 33 sites across nine countries – Iraq, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Lebanon, Yemen, Qatar and Israel, while simultaneously advising the commander on unit personnel matters for 43 military and civilian personnel. Additionally, he was responsible for inspecting and validating fuel quality requirements for five sites across four countries – Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. He worked to maintain fuel stock quotas despite emergent vendor and Host Nation issues and ensure prompt acceptance and payments of invoices to meet or beat the 30-day processing standard despite a 65% manning shortage. His efforts were key to the safe and timely delivery of over 18.9 million gallons of fuel to the warfighter. “Master Sgt. Ortiz-O’Neill was instrumental in projecting our nation's resolve to bring peace and stability to various nations within the Middle East, while ensuring the United States and Coalition Forces were provided the necessary resources for mission success,” said Army Lt. Col. Jamie Pittman, commander of DLA Energy Middle East, in his nomination. “His distinguished record of performance clearly sets him apart from his peers.” **people on a stage presenting a plaque
        Three DLA Energy employees earn agency awards
            Defense Logistics Agency Energy Navy Lt. Cmdr. Curtis Bender was one of three DLA Energy team members who earned awards during the DLA 56th Annual Employee Recognition Awards ceremony at the McNamara Headquarters Complex on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Jan. 25, 2024. Bender won the DLA Joint Reserve Force Field Grade Officer of the Year award in part for his active-duty service as operations officer and interim deputy director at DLA Energy East Pacific. Photo by DLA Photographer Chris Lynch.

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                    VIRIN: 240125-D-HE260-1008** **Navy Lt. Cmdr. Curtis Bender** is the DLA Joint Reserve deputy chief and Indo-Pacific region chief for DLA Joint Reserve Force Energy. He is also assigned as Commanding Officer for DLA JRF Energy Navy Reserve. He earned DLA Joint Reserve Force Field Grade Officer of the Year for his efforts while on active-duty orders, annual training and monthly battle assemblies. During 179 days on active duty as both operations officer and interim deputy director at DLA Energy East Pacific, he provided operational fuel support during the Rim of the Pacific exercise including the tracking and reporting of 10 fuel tanker deliveries to ensure the Navy fleet and partner nations could execute maritime mobile logistics training objectives. Additionally, he supported Navy Region Hawaii Defuel Planning Cell efforts in completing the Defense Fuel Support Point Red Hill, Hawaii, defuel plan supplement as well as the stand up and transition to Joint Task Force Red Hill. In his Navy Reserve leadership role, he led fuels training for 75 Navy Reserve supply corps officers to achieve continuing education goals, led the Navy Reserve Supply Corps Mentorship Program for 21 mentees, and supported seven direct commission officer interview panels. “Curtis came in and filled the role at a time of great need,” said Capt. Bill Jakubowicz, commander of DLA Energy East Pacific during his Bender’s tenure. “He was instrumental in keeping the day-to-day operations going throughout the region allowing me to focus on the Red Hill crisis.” A recording of 56th Annual Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony is available on DLA’s YouTube channel.