# AANHPI panelists share culture, heritage impact on careers

/ Published May 24, 2024
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
The benefits of embracing diverse experiences were at the forefront of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month panel May 21.

Four speakers from across the Defense Logistics Agency shared their traditions, cultures and experiences with DLA employees and workforces from other McNamara Headquarters Complex agencies live and virtually.

Speakers were Director of Customer Support for DLA Logistics Operations Sly Ahn, Management Analyst for DLA Energy Hawaii East Pacific Vivian Kim, Management and Program Analyst for DLA Energy Nasa Primas, and Fitness Specialist with DLA Installation Management John Tioco.

Sly Ahn
Sly Ahn graduated from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. His initial assignment in the Navy was onboard the USS CUSHING homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, where he served as the ship’s supply officer. He was then assigned to Commander Naval Forces Korea as the contingency logistics and transportation officer. After Korea, he was assigned to Fleet Industrial Support Center Norfolk, Virginia, as the Supply Program Director and leadership instructor for the Naval Academy and tenant commands in Annapolis. He then volunteered for an individual augmentation assignment at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti as the Deputy Comptroller and Commercial Bill Payment Officer.

He returned to the DC area after Djibouti and served the remainder of his time in the Navy at the Washington Navy Yard leading Continuous Process Improvement projects.

After the Navy, Ahn served as a business consultant with BearingPoint in the DC area and later joined DLA as a program and management analyst at headquarters within the Portfolio Program Support Division. His primary responsibilities included leading the DoD in gathering and validating Global Combat Support System Joint supply functional requirements from combatant commands, developing DLA Fusion Center System functional requirements specifications, and facilitating the DLA Joint Logistics Operations Center Logistics Supportability Analysis CPI project as the LSS Black Belt. Prior to his current position, Ahn served as DLA’s Supply Chain Security Program manager, where he led the development and implementation of DLA’s supply chain risk management program. Ahn currently serves as the Director of Customer Support at DLA Headquarters.

Ahn holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. He is a certified LSS BB and Harvard Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellow, and he is a graduate of the Advanced Program in Logistics and Technology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.                Vivian Kim
Vivian Kim currently serves as a management analyst and manages the budget for the DLA Energy Indo-Pacific (Hawaii-East Pacific) Region. She supports her team with all administrative tasks for the region, as well as directly supporting the deputy director and commander.

Kim attended Leeward Community College where she received an Associates in Applied Science in Supervisory Management in 2000. She first joined DLA in 2011 as an administrative assistant before leaving to work at Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific in 2016. She made her way back to DLA Energy in 2021 after a stint in Oahu with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an Administrative Officer.

Kim was born and raised on the island of Guahan (Guam) and is #11 out of 17 children; and although not fluent she is able to speak, read, and understand the native CHamorru language.

After leaving NAVFAC PAC, she worked as the Executive Officer for the 51 MXG at Osan AB, Korea before returning to Oahu to work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as their Administrative Officer. In 2021 she rejoined DLA Energy. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, traveling, and enjoying dining out. She hopes to PCS overseas again before retiring.                Nasa Primas
Nasa Primas, a proud native of Mongolia, came to the US after graduating high school in pursuit of higher education. While working as a nursing assistant, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from Brigham Young University, laying the foundation for her commitment to community well-being and public service. Continuing her education at BYU, she earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a focus on International Development and Finance.

Having made Virginia her home, she began working as a Program Analyst for Prince William County’s Department of Social Services. While there, she worked in employee relations and improved several important public assistance programs serving the most vulnerable resident populations.

Her education and career path led her to DLA Energy as a contractor with the Facility Sustainment Directorate. She has since become a dedicated civilian employee, serving as a Management and Program Analyst, and is currently the acting budget team lead.                John Tioco
John Tioco is from Quezon City, Philippines, located in Southeast Asia. Presently, he serves as a fitness specialist at DLA. He attended James Madison University, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and Business Administration. It was during John’s time at JMU that his interest in fitness and its intersection with personal development began to flourish.

After completing his National Academy of Sports Medicine Certification and others as a personal trainer, Tioco embarked on a career path dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve their fitness goals.

With over five years of experience in the fitness industry, his innovative approach and personalized coaching have garnered him a reputation as a results-driven professional, earning the trust and loyalty of his clients.

Interestingly, he is currently expanding his skill set by pursuing certifications in Information Technology but remains dedicated to his core values of continuous learning, personal development, and enriching connections with family and friends.

Tioco consistently seeks opportunities to optimize both his professional performance and personal well-being. He eagerly anticipates the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead, both in the realm of technology and on the gym floor.                

"Embracing the richness of AANHPI heritage within our headquarters complex isn't just about sharing stories; it's about weaving a tapestry of diversity, understanding and unity among peers," explained Chanel Pittman, an equal employment specialist with the DLA Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion Office.

Panelists shared unique aspects of their heritage, as well as how some of those traits and traditions influenced their career paths and how they operate at DLA.

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Ahn noted that hard work, open-mindedness and collaboration were big takeaways for the role of diversity, with the panel mirroring that with their own experiences while adding the importance of hard work, education, respect and caring.

“Growing up in a very large family we learned at a very young age: respect, hard work, cooperation, the value of money, honesty, integrity, and the consequences of your actions,” Kim said. “My parents taught us that no matter who you meet or who you work for, you never put yourself above them. No one person knows everything. It’s about working together to learn, teach, grow and succeed as a family. That’s what I see DLA as. It’s a family and an opportunity to learn and grow.”

Applying cultural lessons and upbringing to work at DLA, Primas noted that the emphasis on education drove her to get two degrees. She also cited the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle as a key to helping her thrive in a variety of environments and learn quickly.

Tioco said that the Filipino work ethic and resilience helps him thrive in the face of adversity. He noted that Filipino nurses and fitness professions are a large group in the US that he’s part of, known for professionalism and high-quality care.

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Panel attendees were invited to view displays celebrating AANHPI food, arts and culture.