Faris named DLA Distribution deputy commander, joins Senior Executive Service

Joseph Faris has been named deputy commander of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution and selected as a member of the Senior Executive Service.

"Joe has provided outstanding leadership while serving as our acting deputy commander since September 2025," said Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, commanding general, DLA Distribution. "This appointment is a well-deserved milestone in his distinguished career, reflecting his deep commitment to our mission and his exceptional service in both military and civilian roles."

Prior to stepping into the acting deputy commander role, Faris served as the director of Strategic Plans, Modernization and Training for DLA Distribution starting in 2023.

A retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, Faris brings decades of joint logistics and leadership experience to his position. He retired from military service in March 2015, following a career that began in the Quartermaster Corps and included assignments with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

During his military career, Faris deployed on several operational missions under U.S. Southern Command and completed a Training with Industry tour with Walmart Stores in Bentonville, Arkansas, working under the vice president of logistics.

His history with DLA Distribution dates back to serving as the aide-de-camp to the commander. He was later mobilized after Sept. 11, 2001, to assist in developing support plans for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In 2009, he was mobilized again as the DLA liaison officer for the Central Command expansion in southern Afghanistan.

During his civilian career with the agency, Faris has held multiple key leadership roles, including director of Future Plans, director of Business Development, and deputy director of Operations. He played a critical role in DLA Distribution's overseas expansion-establishing forward distribution sites in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Korea, and Guam-and coordinated domestic disaster relief efforts during Hurricanes Katrina and Ike.

Faris holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, magna cum laude, from Waynesburg College and a master's degree in national resource strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. In 2017, he completed the Senior Executive Fellows program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Meritorious Service Medal, among others. His civilian honors include the DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Award.