# Ceremony marks new leadership in Columbus

/ Published Nov. 1, 2016
COLUMBUS, Ohio, A new era was ushered in at Defense Supply Center Columbus as Navy Rear Adm. Michelle Skubic took over command of DLA Land and Maritime during a ceremony at the Operations Center auditorium Oct. 31.Deputy commander James McClaugherty relinquished command after serving in an acting capacity since April. The ceremony was officiated by the DLA director, Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch.The ceremony featured the presentation of colors by the 121st Air Refueling Wing, and the national anthem, service medley and patriotic music was performed by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight from Wright Patterson Air Force Base.In his opening remarks, Busch thanked McClaugherty for serving in the acting role for the past seven months, the third time he has been asked to hold the top leadership spot in the organization while commanders waited to arrive. McClaugherty has been at Land and Maritime since 2003 and has served as the deputy commander to the last eight commanders.“I can’t thank Jim enough for everything he has done for this organization,” Busch said. “He’s always in step with his leadership. He’s always the one we turn to in executive board for a thought on how we can get in step with national and departmental priorities.”In his remarks, McClaugherty thanked his family, the community and the DLA employees, saying that the past seven months was “a capstone career experience.” He concluded by thanking Busch and the Land and Maritime workforce.“(Lt. Gen. Busch) I certainly appreciate the confidence you showed us before Rear Admiral Skubic arrived,” McClaugherty said. “But as all aviators know, success begins and only sustains because of the support you receive. And every bit of the success over the past seven months is because what we have here at Land and Maritime is the finest leadership team and group of associates in this agency.”After McClaugherty’s remarks, the organizational colors changed hands signifying the transfer of total authority and accountability from McClaugherty to Skubic. Skubic is coming to DLA Land and Maritime from the U.S. Pacific Fleet where she served as director, logistics, Fleet Supply and Ordnance.Skubic is no stranger to DLA, having served at DLA Aviation and in Kuwait as commander for part of a forward-deployed team supporting U.S. Central Command activities in the Middle East. Busch said her past DLA experience will serve the agency well.“I’d like to bring officers and NCOs into the agency who served here before and come back with experience,” Busch said. “That is certainly what we get with Michelle.”Skubic thanked her family, friends, Busch, McClaugherty and commented on the warm reception she’s received from the central Ohio community since arriving from Hawaii last week.  She kept it lighthearted by leading her first Ohio State Buckeye chant before getting down to business with her new workforce. “Our horizon should not be just about today or tomorrow,” Skubic said “rather it must be about enduring sustainment of (our) military strength.“Team DLA Land and Maritime, I’m so very happy and humbled to be here. Let’s go get ‘em!”DLA Land and Maritime is one of six primary-level field activities within DLA’s and is one of the largest suppliers of weapon systems spare parts that support land-based and maritime weapon systems. On an annual basis, Land and Maritime awards more than 800,000 contracts and handles more than 7.5 million orders with sales topping $3.4 billion.