For four days in early October, procurement analyst Darren Dunham

shadowed DLA Energy Commander Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas attending high 

level meetings and watching senior DLA leaders make influential decisions.

Dunham, a GS-14 within the 

Directorate of Supplier Operations, said 

he applied for the DLA Energy Shadow 

Program to gain a better perspective of 

the operations and strategic decisionmaking at the highest leadership level 

of DLA Energy.

“I wanted to see how the Commander 

collaborates and communicates within 

our organization and with other MSC’s, 

J-codes, military services, and the DoD 

Joint Staff,” he said.

Dunham attended several meetings 

with the Commander, watching him 

engage with DLA Energy stakeholders 

and seeing firsthand how he used employee inputs to leverage strategic 

decisions including during a meeting with a U.S. Senator.

The DLA Energy Shadow Program allows selected GS 13-15 employees to 

choose the senior leader they want to shadow for professional development 

opportunities, networking, and to gain a broader understanding of the whole 

of DLA Energy.

“People and culture are fundamental to our ability to address new challenges 

that threaten our global environment,” Canlas said. “Our most important 

asset as an organization is our people. We have a responsibility to provide the 

opportunities to allow our employees to grow and excel.”

Energy shadowing and mentorship programs are designed to provide 

individuals a “behind the scenes” look at the challenges, issues, and decisionmaking processes of senior leadership, said DLA Energy Training Officer 

Adrian Hines.

“I would highly recommend this shadow program with the Commander to 

anyone in DLA Energy who aspires to attain greater leadership responsibility 

within our organization,” Dunham said.

To learn more about Dunham’s shadow experience, read this DLA News story. 

Employees interested in the Shadow Program can apply through the Strategic 

Communications Group (CAC required). 

Walking in the DLA Energy 

Commander’s steps

Volume 1, Issue 21 October 25, 2021

ENERGY CONNECTION

Team Energy,

 It is great to finally be able to get out and 

meet some of you! Since taking command 

in June 2020, COVID has prevented my 

normal command familiarization tours. 

But, in recent months, I’ve been to Alaska, 

Hawaii, Guam, Virginia and Texas to see 

the great support you’re providing the 

Warfighter and our whole of government 

customers. 

 When I was in Texas, I had the honor of 

flying in the backseat of a T-6 Texan II at 

Laughlin Air Force Base! A highlight and 

throwback to my early 

flying days.

The base is the 

premier Air Force base 

for undergraduate 

pilot training 

program, which uses 

the T-6 Texan 

II, T-38C Talon 

and the T-1A 

Jayhawk. It was fun to burn some JP-8! 

 I want to send a shout-out to the DLA 

Energy Europe & Africa and Middle East 

teams. Next month, I’ll be visiting the two 

regional commands and want to thank 

you for all your support. We have a lot 

of activity planned for the trip including 

the DLA Energy Fuel Exchange Forum 

in Garmisch, Germany. This will be an 

outstanding event for our 13 foreign 

country partners as well as military 

organizations from U.S. and Europe. I 

look forward to meeting our outstanding 

employees and partners in the region.

 I hope to get out to meet more of you in 

the coming months!

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE COMMANDER 

Brig Gen 

Jimmy Canlas

HQC/NCR COVID-19 Reconstitution Status:

Phase 0 - HPCON B 
Oct. 25-26: DLA Energy Senior Leader Virtual Offsite

Nov. 2: DLA Energy All Hands and Supervisor’s Town Hall 

Nov. 4: Coffee with the Commander 9:30am and 5pm EST 

(GS-13/14 Division/Branch/Section Chiefs only)

Nov. 9: Donuts with the Deputy 8:30am and 6pm EST (GS13/14, Division/Branch/Section Chiefs only)

Feb. 17: The 2020 and 2021 DLA Energy Hall of Fame

Mark your calendars!

October as National Disability 

Employment Awareness Month. 

This year’s theme is “America’s 

Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.” The 

theme reflects the importance of 

appreciating differences and hiring 

individuals with disabilities.

Jason Searls in DLA Energy Quality 

Technical, got a “new leash on life” 

with his service dog, Hawkeye. 

Read more in this DLA News story.

The Texas legislature introduced 

HR 140, “Commending U.S. Army 

Reserve Staff Sergeant Calvin 

Williams for his service with Defense 

Logistics Agency Task Force Americas 

during Hurricane Ida.” 

“Congratulations to SSG Williams and 

the entire team for their hard work and 

dedication to this critical support effort.” 

– Mr. David Kless, DLA Energy Deputy Commander 

“Awesome recognition for SSG Williams 

and all of TF Americas!” – Brig Gen Canlas

The DLA Energy Advisory and Integration Council 

Supervisory Committee welcomes new leaders. 

Thank you for volunteering!

“We appreciate these leaders for stepping up to continue to create 

an inclusive and thriving supervisory climate at DLA Energy.” 

 – Mr. Dave Kless, DLA Energy Deputy Commander

It is with great sadness that two of our DLA Energy friends and 

colleagues recently passed. 

BPSD’s Mr. Chris Guy passed away Tuesday, 

Oct. 12. Chris joined DLA in April 2009 and 

transitioned to DLA Energy in 2012. Chris 

was a retired Army Sergeant First Class, a 

father, and a grandfather. 

Ms. Heather Kerns has 

been a member of 

DLA Energy family for the past 11 years. 

She began her career in Utility Services 

in 2010 as an intern and quickly became 

a valued teammate serving as a contract 

specialist and Contracting Officer for 

many utilities privatization contracts. 

Please keep Chris and Heather’s families in your thoughts 

during this difficult time. Remember, the Employee Assistance 

Program is available anytime at 1-866-580-9046.

SSG Calvin Williams 

conducting fuel 

reception in Broussard, 

Louisiana, during 

Hurricane Ida response.

Champion 

Steve Sturgeon

Co-Chair 

Carly Dubernas

Chair

Jennifer Phillips 

Iribarren

The 2021 Federal Benefits Open Season runs from 

November 8 through December 13. 

During Open Season, you can enroll, cancel or make changes 

to your Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), Flexible 

Spending Accounts (FSA), and Federal Employees Dental & 

Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) benefits. 

Learn more in this DLA Today Announcement

2021 Federal Benefits Open Season

Monthly DLA 

Energy SITREPs 

are posted on 

DLA Energy’s 

eWorkplace site

on the bottom 

of the page 

under Strategic 

Communication. 

DID YOU 

KNOW?

CONDOLENCES

ANNOUNCEMENTS