# Info Ops Employee Spotlight: Barry Humphrey

/ Published July 25, 2022
Fort Belvoir, Va, 
**Name:** Barry A. Humphrey

**Organization:**  J68 Research & Development

**Years of Service:**   27 (six years federal, and 21 years military)

**What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically?**

I am the program manager for the Logistics Technology Research program.****The LTR program leverages advanced technologies to improve warfighter support. It’s based on DLA strategic guidance for improving key DLA business functions including data analytics, database security, and supply chain risk management.

**What is your background, including experience and credentials? How does your background help you be successful in your current role?**

I was an information systems manager in the Army, in areas such as network security, information assurance, enterprise architecture, and project management. When I first retired, I worked for the Veterans Administration doing network security and project management. Next, I went to work for the U.S. Army Cyber Command before coming to DLA, where I started out as the IT business relationship manager for DLA Energy.

I believe my background covering all facets of information technology and my PhD in Information Systems has given me a tremendous opportunity to display my talents and skills in my current role as a program manager in J68 R&D. I feel being a business relationship manager for DLA Energy gave me the foundation needed to work and solve complex issues in improving the customer experience and how to work with various groups in and outside of DLA.

**What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction?  Why?**

The most satisfying aspects of my job are working with a great group of people in J68 that taught me a lot and gave me the advice and knowledge that I needed to be successful since I started this job. Another aspect is working with emerging technologies, which I have a strong passion for, that will ultimately be used to support the warfighter and help to advance DLA as one of the premier agencies using these technologies.

**What are some of your passions outside of work?**

My passions outside of work include spending time with my wife and children. I take great pride in my oldest daughter, who is beginning her college career and has a desire to focus on STEM (specifically biomedical engineering). I introduced STEM to my daughter early in her life, and now she has a passion for it. That leads me into my ultimate passion, which is to introduce minority children from rural and urban communities to STEM early so they can have the passion for it like I did growing up. Being from Montgomery, Alabama there were few opportunities growing up for both myself and those I grew up with to have a desire to learn about technology, let alone actually get a degree in it. Fortunately, I had mentors and family members who not only stressed education but education in STEM to have a future in something else besides being an athlete. 

I also love fishing, but I have not had the time to do it and haven’t found a good fishing spot in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

**What advice do you have for DLA employees?**

I think the greatest advice I can give DLA employees is to enjoy your job to the fullest and know that what you are doing matters.

**What****other self-initiated efforts have you worked on?**

I am working on three papers with former classmates from my doctoral program to get them published and presented at technical conventions. I am trying to learn Hangul (Korean) because I love the culture, and Swahili because my wife is from Kenya, and I need to know when her and our kids are talking about me since she will be teaching them when they get older. In my free time, I am studying to obtain a few more IT certifications and my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.