Acquisition Workforce Symposium

From June 13-15, DLA Energy acquisition 

employees chose from a variety of learning 

opportunities and experiences designed 

to inform, inspire, and empower their 

personal and professional development. 

During his opening remarks, Deputy 

Commander Dave Kless encouraged 

employees to take full advantage of the 

symposium reminding them that one 

person can mean the difference between 

mission success or mission failure. 

In an analogy, Kless talked about how the 

Buffalo Bills’ assistant athletic trainer, Denny 

Kellington, performed CPR to save safety Damar Hamlin’s life after he 

collapsed on the field from cardiac arrest during a game in January.

“Denny didn’t show up on game day to watch football. He practiced. 

He prepared. He continued to stay sharp. He stayed alert, aware of his 

surroundings, never complacent or distracted,” Kless said. “Denny didn’t 

wait for anyone else to respond. He took immediate action. His instinct 

and training kicked in. He didn’t need to wait. He knew what to do.”

“Even if you are an ‘assistant’ or in a position you feel inconsequential, 

your role is vital to the team’s success,” Kless said. “We depend on you to 

stay alert, take notice if something seems ‘off,’ and take action.”

Following Kless was a series 

of guest speakers including 

DLA Acquisition Director Matt 

Beebe, former DLA Energy 

commander retired Lt Gen 

Giovanni Tuck and retired Maj 

Gen Eugene Lupia. 

Day two of the symposium 

included a discussion on 

the future of acquisition training from Defense Acquisition University 

President James Woolsey and a full day focused on career development 

in the functional areas of contracting, lifecycle logistics and engineering 

and technical management. Eileen Granfield, DAU 4th Estate DACM 

Team Deputy Director, talked LCL strategic development and Eidila 

Correa, DLA Logistics Operations Technical & Quality Assurance Division 

Chief, talked to the ETM community.

Day three brought discussions on the future of work, work-life balance, 

emotional intelligence, and leading in a hybrid environment.

ENERGY CONNECTION

Energy Team,

 As I prepare to turn this amazing 

command over to CAPT Anderson, I am 

feeling extremely humbled and honored 

to have served as your Commander these 

past three years. What a journey it’s been! 

You have all been steady and resilient as 

we navigated some turbulent challenges 

including the pandemic, the defueling of 

Red Hill, NDAA Section 352 implementation, 

and the crisis in Ukraine just to name a few. 

Thank you for your support and teamwork!

 While June will be a significant month for 

me personally as I also prepare to retire from 

the Air Force, June is a significant month 

when we celebrate and recognize the 

themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

In June, we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, 

Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) 

Pride Month and Juneteenth, the day when 

word of the proclamation reached enslaved 

African American people in Texas. 

 I urge everyone within the DLA Energy 

Family to take time this month to commit 

yourselves widespread equality and 

inclusion in our nation as well as our 

workplace. I hope you reflect on the 

progress our country has made, and the 

work that remains unfinished.

 I hope you can join me for the Change of 

Command ceremony this Thursday, June 29, 

at 10am in the McNamara Auditorium and 

help me give CAPT Anderson a warm DLA 

Energy welcome. 

 Thank you, team, for the impact you’ve 

made on me, my career and my respect 

for all you do every day to support our 

warfighters!

 Warfighter Always!

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE COMMANDER

Brig Gen 

Jimmy Canlas

Core Values: Leadership, Professionalism & Technical Knowledge through Dedication to Duty, Integrity, Ethics, Honor, Courage & Loyalty

Volume 3, Issue 12 June 26, 2023
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management released 

a three-page retirement planning guide to help 

employees prepare for and navigate through the 

voluntary retirement process.

This guide outlines factors that could delay 

retirement processing, defines key terms, includes 

information on benefits and includes a worksheet to 

help track your progress.

Employees with retirement questions should reach 

out to the DLA Human Resources team assigned to 

their organization.

“The DLA Rap” is a video series by DLA 

Video Producer Nutan Chada. In this issue, she 

interviewed Patricia Littlejohn, Bulk Petroleum 

Supply Chain Services Director. 

Watch the full interview on DVIDS.

DLA Energy Okinawa 

changes leadership

Maj Kevin Knutson assumed 

command from Maj Tony 

Anderson on Camp Shields, 

Japan, June 6.

DLA Energy Middle 

East welcomes a new 

commander

LTC Jamie Pittman 

assumed command 

from LTC Alberto 

Cordova in Bahrain, 

June 7.

Energy Indo-Pacific SouthWest changes leadership

CDR Scott McCarthy 

assumed command from 

CDR Chris Radke in Guam, 

June 8.

During a luncheon on 

June 7, DLA Energy said 

thank you to Capt Zach 

Bruhn and SSG Will 

Perkins who have been 

instrumental driving 

forces in the front office. 

Capt Bruhn will transition 

to a military position at 

the Pentagon and SSG 

Perkins will transition into 

a civilian role with DLA 

Energy.

During his final All Hands on June 21, Brig Gen Canlas congratulated the 

DLA Energy military and civilian employees of the quarter, welcomed several 

incoming leaders, bid farewell to those departing and shared important news 

and updates with workforce.

Nearly 200 employees attended in person with more than 370 joining online. 

This week, Brig Gen Canlas changes command with CAPT Brian Anderson and 

retires from the Air Force. He told the audience he plans to take 90 days off to 

spend time with his family and help his kids off to college.

Thank you Brig Gen Canlas for your leadership and service! In his signature move, Brig Gen Canlas took a final 

selfie with Mr. Kless and the audience.