The DLA Energy Virtual Shadow Program for DLA Energy employees is a 

unique opportunity to shadow a leader and gain valuable experience. 

Shadow experiences are designed to provide participants with 

professional development opportunities, professional networks, 

meaningful career conversations, exposure to leadership at multiple 

levels, and a broader understanding of DLA Energy.

Participants are not the only ones to benefit from the Shadow Program. 

DLA Energy leaders benefit by fostering a coaching culture and increase 

transparency of Energy’s business strategies.

Bulk Petroleum Products’ Callie 

Ettleson Lake shadowed Kevin 

Ahern in February 2018 when 

Ahern was Acting Director of 

Procurement Process Support. 

“I chose to shadow the 

Procurement Process Support 

Division in hopes that it would 

give me a bigger picture of 

what is happening in the acquisition community at DLA Energy,” Lake said. 

She said her goal was to get a better idea of what our senior leaders deal 

with on a day-to-day basis to help her understand how her role fits into 

the organization.

“It not only helped me understand the workload that senior leaders in our 

organization manage every day, but it also gave me insight into whether I 

could see myself in that position in the future,” she said.

Chris Boeding, DLA Energy Japan Deputy Director, participated in the 

program in 2018 when he was in Bulk Petroleum Products and Keisha 

High, a member of the military personnel team within the Manpower 

Division, participated in August 2019.

“It gave me a perspective of how everything comes together,” High said. 

“I don’t work directly with fuel, therefore, learning about the places we 

service and potential problems we may face getting fuel where it needs to 

be to support the Warfighter was insightful.”

Applications for the virtual version of the shadow program can be 

submitted through your chain of command and emailed to the SCG. Read 

this DLA Today Announcement for more information.

Shadow a DLA Energy Leader!

ENERGY CONNECTION

Team Energy, 

 This week we say a fond farewell to a 

great leader and professional, our DLA 

Energy Deputy Commander Mr. William 

“Eric” Smith. Mr. Smith was selected by 

VADM Skubic to serve as the DLA Chief 

of Staff. I know he will excel in his new 

role, and we will benefit having Energy 

advocacy on the HQ staff.

 It has been my sincere honor to serve 

with Mr. Smith. As a new Commander, 

I was blessed with Mr. Smith who 

supported me during my first several 

months as I assumed my new role in the 

height of COVID. We will miss Eric and his 

extensive DLA experience, sage wisdom, 

and straight-forward approach to hard 

challenges. I want to acknowledge the 

tremendous work he has dedicated to 

improving the Energy culture with his 

emphasis on leadership development. 

From his monthly leadership nuggets 

to monthly Donuts with Deputies, Mr. 

Smith profoundly influenced us with his 

steadfast leadership.

 As Mr. Smith departs, Ms. Patricia 

Wilkins will step in as the Interim Deputy 

Commander.

 Eric, thank you for all you have done 

for our organization, and we look 

forward to Patricia continuing on with 

our progress. Warfighter Always!

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE COMMANDER 

Brig Gen Jimmy 

Canlas

HQC/NCR COVID-19 Reconstitution Status:

Phase 0 - HPCON B 

Volume 1, Issue 9 May 3, 2021
Members of the DLA Energy Middle East team 

participated in NSA Bahrain’s SAPR 5K run on April 22. 

Big shout out the participants! LTC Justin Darnell and 

family, LTC Kristyn Felix, LT Kwabena Antwi-Nimarko, CPT 

Demetrios Rocco, CW2 David Fonteneau, SFC Elizabeth 

Grace, Ms. Shelly Brayboy, and Ms. Kelley Warren.

Welcome to Mr. Don Pollack! The new 

DLA Energy Deputy Chief Counsel. 

He joins the team from the Defense 

Technical Information Center where 

he served as Agency Counsel. He also 

served 20 years with the U.S. Army. 

Thank you for your 37 years Federal 

government service Mr. Ralph Wells! 

The DLA Energy Indo Pacific Deputy 

Director retired April 24. The Interim 

Deputy is Mr. John Reed.

On Sunday, April 18, 

2021, Ms. Phyllis Orange 

peacefully passed away in 

the comfort of her home. 

Ms. Orange was DAWIA 

Level III certified in 

contracting and worked 

in Bulk Petroleum Products for more than 15 years. 

She took great pride in the DLA mission earning over 

30 Performance Awards, 2 DLA Humanitarian Awards, 

and many letters of commendation from customers.

DLA Energy QARs TSgt Mersino 

and Mr. Ronnie Brock brief 

DLA Director VADM Skubic 

during her recent visit to DFSP 

Tampa. The team provided her 

an overview of DFSP including 

truck load and laboratory 

operations.

(front row) DLA SOUTHCOM 

LNO Roy Diaz, SOUTHCOM 

COS RADM Davis, DLA Director 

VADM Skubic, SOUTHCOM 

J4 Col Gibbs and (back row) 

LCDR Pasley, SOUTHCOM J4 

Larry Burton, and DLA Energy 

SOUTHCOM LNO Jason Hill 

pose during the DLA Director’s 

recent visit to SOUTHCOM.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage 

Month. Across the nation, Asian Americans, Native 

Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders contribute to a rich and 

deeply rooted heritage. From migrant laborers to inventive trailblazers, the month is a time to acknowledge 

their hardships, culture, achievements, and beliefs.

Learn more at the Department of Defense Education 

Activity website.

Hail and Farewells Condolences

DLA Energy supported 

National Reconnaissance 

Office rocket launch! 

Aerospace Energy supplied 

the liquid hydrogen and 

liquid oxygen to create the 

more than 2.1 million pounds 

of thrust needed for the 

rocket’s liftoff on April 26.

Middle East QARS perform 

an internal tank inspection 

at sea. Mark Mizrahi and 

Army SFC Elizabeth Grace 

(pictured) received hands 

on training as Kelley Warren 

observed aboard the oil 

tanker LEFKARA in the Persian 

Gulf on April 9.