# DLA Distribution Anniston welcomes new commander

/ Published July 7, 2022
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
Army Lt. Col. Toby Williford assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Anniston, Alabama, from Army Lt. Col. Ayo AI. Oladipofaniyi during a change of command ceremony July 7.

DLA Distribution Commander, Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, Jr., officiated the ceremony.

Oladipofaniyi led the DDAA team through the early phases of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, taking command in May 2020. Throughout the pandemic, his essential workers showed up every day to provide outstanding storage and distribution support that bolstered warfighter readiness to include combatant commands and allied nations.

As the commander for DDAA, he had oversight and $9 billion in inventory from all services, to include DLA's sole weapon center of excellence and the largest small arms storage and distribution facility in the Defense Department.

Oladipofaniyi built a problem-solving culture through active leadership and a strong relationship with Anniston Army Depot, identifying customer needs, improving planning processes and collaborating on process improvement projects. Under his leadership, DDAA increased weapon shipments to the joint warfighter by over 13%, all while maintaining positive accountability of nearly two million weapons. DDAA shipped over 317,000 weapons annually in support of allied and partner nations and shored up foreign material sales shipments by working closely with U.S. Army Security Assistance Command.

AI led the distribution center with a work environment rooted in quality, transparency, accountability and business reform, culminating in a 3% revenue increase. Through innovation and teamwork, his team significantly improved support and responsiveness to ANAD by reducing receipt to store time from 58 hours to just over 8 hours and pick time from 94 to 13 hours.

Over the last two years, Oladipofaniyi has met all challenges head on and with great success. His team-centered leadership approach, care, and concern for people was vital and he leaves DLA Distribution Anniston with a legacy of honor, professionalism, and commitment to supporting the Warfighter.

Oladipofaniyi’ s next assignment is to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Suffolk, Virginia, where he will be the J7 Program Manager.

For his many accomplishments as commander of DDAA, Oladipofaniyi was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Incoming commander Army Lt. Col. Toby Williford is a native of Hobbs, New Mexico, and has led a remarkable career. He graduated from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. He also holds a master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Williford was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Transportation Corps in 2003. Williford has served in numerous staff assignments including his most recent as a State Department military advisor and was deployed for two years in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 4th Infantry Division and U.S. Army Alaska.

From 2010-2014, Williford served in the military district of Washington as an Army Congressional Fellow in the U.S. Senate and later as a legislative liaison for the Army Budget Office supporting the assistant secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (two service stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 5), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (one oak leaf cluster), Army Staff Badge, and Parachutist Badge. He has also earned the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.