# Leadership Spotlight: Deborah Smith

/ Published Sept. 11, 2023
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., 
**Describe your job in a sentence or two.**

As the LESO Branch Chief, I manage 24 extremely talented staff*members*, and oversee program operations and inventory management of the LESO Program property book which consists of 409,861 items with an original acquisition valued at $1.7B.

                Deborah Smith, branch chief of DLA Disposition Services Law Enforcement Support Office and her family.                            Smith Family                            Deborah Smith, branch chief of DLA Disposition Services Law Enforcement Support Office and her family.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: File PhotoVIRIN: 230904-D-DO441-0003**How long have you worked for the federal government including military service?**

I was in the Marine Corps for nine years and have been with DLA for 15 years, giving me a total of 24 years of federal service.

**How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services?**

Since 2009

**What is your favorite thing about your line of work?**

I am an intrinsic motivated type of person. My background is in counseling psychology, and I feel that I’ve always been driven by helping others, so working in the LESO Program is an incredibly rewarding experience. It hits home knowing you are helping equip US law enforcement with the resources they need to do their job safely and get home to their families.

**What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?**

My dad taught me to always put 100% effort into whatever I do, no matter what it is. He also taught me to show respect to everyone, no matter the circumstance.

**What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?**

A servants heart.

**What is your leadership philosophy and how does that tie into your line of work?**

My leadership philosophy is that of a servant. Servant leadership to me describes a philosophy that is selfless, humble, trustworthy, and inclusive; and not concerned about power, fame or recognition. How it ties into my line of work is that I am a Marine Corps Veteran, I see this servant's heart leadership quality in the hearts of many veterans that I’ve served with (or continue to serve with within DLA). As a military veteran, I empathize with the challenges our customers in law enforcement experience because the missions are so similar.

**Tell us how you approach change.**

Nobody likes change, but it is inevitable, so when it happens I try to stay flexible, clearly communicate a roadmap/implementation plan if possible and be transparent with folks to ensure they have as much information as possible to make informed decisions.

**What do you look for when evaluating top talent**?

When evaluating talent, I look for qualities like judgement, integrity, decisiveness, tact, initiative, unselfishness, loyalty, and empathy. If you have these qualities, we can train anyone to be highly successful in DLA.

**What book have you read recently?**

A recent book that I enjoyed was written by George Orwell called “1984.”

**Tell us something that most people might not know about you?**

My husband and I own a taxidermy and tanning business. My husband and I were high school sweethearts, and we are both Marine Corps Veterans. We named the business as a way of paying respect to the Marine Corps which serves our country “in the air, on land, and sea.”

**What was your first job?**

My first job was working at a cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

**What did you want to be when you grew up?**

An Olympic track star, back in the day I was pretty speedy.

**What are your hobbies?**

I enjoy riding my bike during summer months, and every year around Mother’s Day as a family we spend as much time as possible in the woods hunting for morel mushrooms.

**What is your favorite quote?**

My favorite quote is from Albert Einstein, I’ve had it on my cubicle at work for many years, it says, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”