# Employee Spotlight: Jen Ganka 

/ Published Feb. 27, 2024
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., 
Jen Ganka recently became the first Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services employee to hold the title of Disposal Service Representative program manager. Her 11-year tenure with the sub-command has included roles in a variety of offices including Public Sales, Compliance, Network Management, and DLA’s Law Enforcement Support Office. Congratulations on the new position, Jen! 

**In your new role, what do your day-to-day responsibilities look like?**The DSR is the face to the customers for DLA Disposition Services. As my position just started, I am in the research phase of understanding the DSR position at our field sites. I am gathering information and input on how we can best serve the organization through the development of the program. 

**What do you like most about your current role so far?**I really enjoy working with the field personnel who, in my opinion, are the backbone of our organization. Understanding how they operate daily and being able to assist with that is both challenging and exciting. 

**Any good career or general life advice someone gave you that is worth passing on?**You never know until you try. I find this to be true both professionally and personally. 

**Can you cite any recent projects or efforts that you felt were major contributions to the DLA mission?**I led an Integrated Process Team comprised of Operations and Compliance branches working together to build a successful Quality Assurance Review program for our field sites. We developed a course of action for a real-time assessment of field site operational effectiveness encompassing improvement, remediation, and learning. 

**What would you say in general about the importance of supporting our warfighters?**While supporting our warfighters, I feel I am also supporting my country. Our freedoms rest on the shoulders of these brave men and women and I feel fortunate to support them in their day-to-day duties. 

**What do you hope to be doing five years from now?**I would love to be assigned to one of the European field sites for DLA Disposition Services. 

**Could you share one of your best memories of working at DLA?**Being on Tiger Teams and going to our field sites to help receive and process excess property. Working with different people from various areas of the business has many benefits, including sharing new ideas and it helps with problem solving. 

**Any favorite or recently read books that you’d recommend?**One of my favorite books has been The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It addresses the sources of self-limiting beliefs that keep us from joyfully living life to the fullest. 

**What are some of your interests or passions outside of work?**I enjoy spending time with my family, particularly my four grandkids. I like to garden and be outdoors. I love to travel and look forward to doing more of that in the future. I am also learning Spanish, which has been a longtime personal goal. 

**Are there any quotes that are meaningful to you that are worth sharing?**One of my favorites is: “A mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” 

**What’s the most thrilling or adventurous thing you’ve ever done?**Besides having kids, which is an adventure all its own, I went cave rappelling/snorkeling and zip-lining in Tulum, Mexico. I am not a fan of heights or deep water, but it was thrilling.