DLA director, senior enlisted leader visit DLA Energy

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -

Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly and Senior Enlisted Leader Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Alvin Dyer engaged with DLA Energy employees in a town hall meeting and discussed the organization's Annual Operating Plan on Sept. 9.

DLA Energy Commander Navy Rear Adm. George Bresnihan and representatives from DLA Energy directorates and regional offices briefed Simerly and Dyer on outcomes achieved in fiscal year 2025. Objectives and key results aligned with the four imperatives of the DLA Strategic Plan: 2025 - 2030: People, Precision, Posture and Partnerships.

The DLA Energy team reviewed several planning and logistics tools developed and refined to enhance global capabilities supporting the warfighter. Bresnihan said the need to increase data acumen and decision advantage drives his team to deliver energy solutions as they work together to overcome contested logistics challenges in a dynamic operating environment.

Looking ahead to 2026, Bresnihan reiterated DLA Energy's commitment to supporting new agency priorities to help deliver sustained readiness to its warfighting partners. DLA Energy will also accelerate organizational and workforce transformation efforts aligned with the department's initiatives and modernize supply chains for greater resilience.

Key aspects of transformational leadership - culture, performance and change - carried over from the AOP briefing to the DLA Energy town hall.

"What we've done in the past may not be sufficient for future success," Simerly said to an audience of nearly 700 DLA Energy employees. "The status quo is not a course of action."

During the town hall, Simerly outlined 13 strategic priorities for the entire agency in 2026 and provided guidance and expectations for how DLA Energy employees are to execute that transformation strategy. Simerly challenged employees to think critically about their end-to-end supply chain strategies. He added that a constant examination of emerging requirements and changing conditions is vital to understanding and solving contested logistics problems.

Dyer and Bresnihan also provided insights on improving communication, collaboration and partnerships both internally and externally with the combatant commands, services and industry.

"Every change that we make has to have at its end state an improved delivery of support to the warfighters," Simerly said.

During the event, Simerly presented the following DLA Energy employees with the DLA Director's coin for their contributions in supporting mission goals and objectives:

• Gordon Braxton
• Navy Lt. Hony Cortez
• Glynis Guest
• Justus LaDuke
• Pleasant Lane
• Caitlin O'Leary

The following DLA Energy employees also were recognized for their performance during the third quarter:

• Strategic Goals Team Award: presented to the DLA Energy team responsible for securing the fuels testing blanket purchase agreement
• Field Grade Officer: Air Force Lt. Col. Manuel Hauck, DLA Energy Europe and Africa
• Company Grade Officer: Army Capt. Shantoya Wiley, DLA Energy Middle East
• Senior NCO: Army Master Sgt. Jessica Miller, DLA Energy Middle East
• Junior NCO: Air Force Tech Sgt. Daniel Bulatao, DLA Energy Indo-Pacific
• Category B: Wayne Abramovich, DLA Energy Japan
• Category C: Dalton Lewis, DLA Energy Middle East