# DLA Aviation leader shares wisdom with DLA Energy acquisition workforce

/ Published April 3, 2023
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
Buzzing voices and excitement filled the McNamara auditorium at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as colleagues took their seats before the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Contracting Officer Mentoring Program event, March 22.

The hybrid mentoring session’s keynote speaker was DLA Aviation’s Senior Acquisition Executive Catherine Contreras who oversees all of DLA’s aviation supply chain acquisition operations.

Sponsored by the Acquisition Workforce Development Team, the Contracting Officer Mentoring Program is unique to DLA Energy and provides junior warranted acquisition professionals with value added support and networking opportunities that will assist in their development in technical competence and leadership roles.

“Today, I encourage you to be intentional, meet with people you don’t ordinarily get to see,” said Gabriella Earhardt, head of DLA Energy Contracting Activity. “Talk to them. We got you to the well, it is up to you to drink!”

Contreras has held many positions throughout her tenure with DLA including chief of Strategic Contracting, chief of Supplier Relationship Management, and director of Strategic Acquisition Programs. Using her own career as an example, Contreras shared personal antidotes and lessons learned along the way.

“Our careers are our responsibility,” said Contreras. “As we move through our careers it is important to plan. Look at where you want to be. What skills do those people have? What experiences have those people had? How do my abilities compare? What opportunities do I need to pursue to gain that exposure and experience?”

The development of contracting professionals lays the groundwork for strategic approaches to mission execution. Contreras outlined three key areas needed to continually develop a career: education and training (be a lifelong learner), technical competencies (job skills) and leadership competencies (moving from basic problem solving through the strategic vision and coaching).

“Consciously focusing on continual development in those areas throughout our career lays the groundwork for our professional success,” Contreras said. “The lesson is to master the basics and take every opportunity you can to gain varied experiences. It will help you become a better problem solver and provide better support to your customers.”   

Contreras began her career as an intern for the Office of the Secretary of the Army where she spent a year rotating through the various functional areas. Choosing to specialize in contracting, she spent the next nine years working for Defense Contracting Command in the Pentagon. At the same time, she focused on completing her Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certification (education/training) and developing technical skills by executing various types of contracts. 

“I learned two key things during this time,” she said. “It’s important to understand how all the functional pieces fit together and contribute toward the broader outcome and it’s important to make connections across the organization.”

Contreras spoke candidly of a career point in her life where she took a detour, got married and had a child. To accommodate new life decisions that included a husband and child, she took a downgrade and accepted a position working for DLA Aviation in Richmond.

Sometimes you need to balance family and career decisions, she said.

Making the personal decision to work part time for several years did not derail Contreras and her career. She took a position that offered more flexibility in the newly formed DLA Base Realignment and Closure office in 2005.

“As you move up within an organization, you have an opportunity to broaden your perspective and to improve processes. Take those opportunities,” she said.  “Always keep your eye on the future. Plan and continue to develop yourself so that you’re ready when the next opportunity presents itself.”

DLA Energy Contracting Officer Timothy Weatherspoon found the work and family discussion enlightening.

“That was one of the best mentoring sessions including my 25-year military career,” he said.” I especially enjoyed how Ms. Contreras addressed the choices leaders must consciously make when in leadership positions. A work-life balance is a skill that should be addressed, and often, during a career.”

Another father who is a contracting office echoed the sentiment.

“With young boys myself, I found these remarks to be especially valuable,” said Shane Banks, a Bulk Petroleum Products division chief. “The topics Ms. Contreras spoke about, and candid discussion resonated strongly with me. Her ability to openly speak about her path to include managing crossroads in both personal and work life was a key take away.”  

Six years ago, Contreras was selected to be DLA Aviation’s acquisition executive and HCA. She concluded her story by touching on her current position and what she has learned.

“Use your current position to make a difference,” Contreras said. “Look for areas you can influence – do that!  Every day try to find ways to make the organization a better place.”

Watch a recording of this event in the DLA streaming portal (CAC-enabled link).

Here is a summary of Contreras' life lessons:
      - Understand how all the pieces fit together
      - Make connections
      - Master the basics
      - Look for opportunities to broaden
      - You don’t need to be in a leadership position to lead
      - Focus on the broader perspective
      - Keep an eye on the future
      - Sometimes you have to balance family and career
      - Figure out how to get to yes
      - You don’t have to know everything; you just need to know who to ask
      - Sometimes you have to find your own opportunities
      - Sometimes you need a nudge
      - Find ways to make a difference every day
      - Don’t forget what is truly important in life
      - Don’t be afraid to ask for help
      - You are responsible for your own career