DLA Distribution leaders align on modernization, readiness, audit at summit

Leaders from across Defense Logistics Agency Distribution's 24 global centers gathered at headquarters in New Cumberland Sept. 14-18 for the 2026 Leadership Summit, focusing on the evolution of the command's storage and distribution network in support of the joint warfighter.

Under the theme "LEADERSHIP: Resilient, Ready," the weeklong summit gave senior leaders an opportunity to align command priorities, review ongoing modernization, reinforce audit compliance standards, and discuss operations across the global network.

Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman, commanding general of DLA Distribution, opened the summit by calling on leaders to confront operational challenges directly.

"This week, we rally under the theme: LEADERSHIP: Resilient, Ready. This isn't just a slogan, it's a direct call to action for each of you in this room," Cotman said. "You are the leaders who will guide our enterprise through its next inflection point."

Cotman recognized the steady operational tempo and the strain of recent enterprise initiatives, particularly the fielding of the Warehouse Management System, emphasizing the importance of strong command climates at every distribution site.

"I know the last few years, especially the WMS transition, have tested our resilience. Your leadership has been crucial in navigating this fatigue," Cotman said. "The Nation and the joint force depend on our global distribution network to be ready and responsive every single day."

DLA Distribution Deputy Commander Joseph Faris walked attendees through the command's history, noting how DLA Distribution has delivered on its commitments to the Department of War since its establishment in the early 1990s.

"This organization, since it was born in the early '90s, has been in a constant state of change," Faris said, recounting the initial consolidation of five military service logistics branches into one joint command. He highlighted the challenge of merging separate workforces, workplace cultures, and legacy operating systems into what became the Distribution Standard System.

"We can learn from our history here," Faris said, pointing out that even while reducing warehouse space from 100 million gross square feet to 38 million, expanding overseas, and transitioning to WMS, the command continued to meet warfighter demands.

"The takeaway is constant change, and the reason why the warfighter has remained supported amongst all this is the people that were before you in the room: the distribution center commanders, the deputies, the workforce, and the staff," Faris said. "That's what kept all this going as we were transforming and the legacy you are now a part of."

Command and Control Realignment

Command leadership also briefed attendees on the proposed command and control realignment planned for fiscal year 2027. Intended to streamline communication, resolve operational bottlenecks, and give distribution centers direct access to headquarters support, the updated C2 structure clarifies reporting lines, coordinates regional theater support, and gives local commanders greater decision-making leeway in contested environments.

Under the plan, the command will establish four mission-aligned directorates:

• OCONUS Readiness Center Europe & Africa / Central Command
• OCONUS Readiness Center Pacific / Northern & Southern Command
• Army/Navy Industrial
• Air Logistics Complex / Fleet Readiness Center

Each directorate will have a dedicated director and analysts assigned to site advocacy and issue resolution.

Audit Readiness and Material Accountability

Audit compliance, a command focus for fiscal 2027, was another major summit topic. Presenters noted that accurate, auditable records directly underpin material readiness. Sessions covered compliance requirements, physical inventory accuracy thresholds, and Key Supporting Documentation standards necessary for clean audit reviews.

An audit panel featuring subject matter experts from across DLA addressed day-to-day warehouse issues, including:

• Reconciling physical inventory counts with system records.
• Standardizing audit trails during multimodal shipments.
• Enforcing supervisory internal controls at remote and forward sites.
• Maintaining inventory accountability during system transitions without disrupting customer support.
  Catherine Kwak, process integrator, Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Operations; Rebecca Smith, supervisory program management and program analyst, DLA Finance; John Northrup, director, DLA Distribution Operations; Aaron Booth, deputy director, DLA Distribution Compliance, Financial Audit, and Infrastructure; and Joe Steadley, director, DLA Distribution Warner Robins, Georgia; sit on an audit panel during the DLA Distribution Leadership Summit where leaders from across DLA Distribution's 24 global centers gathered at headquarters in New Cumberland Sept. 14-18, focusing on the evolution of the command's storage and distribution network in support of the joint warfighter. (DOW photo by Dorie Heyer, released)
  DLA Distribution leaders align on modernization, readiness, audit at summit

  Catherine Kwak, process integrator, Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Operations; Rebecca Smith, supervisory program management and program analyst, DLA Finance; John Northrup, director, DLA Distribution Operations; Aaron Booth, deputy director, DLA Distribution Compliance, Financial Audit, and Infrastructure; and Joe Steadley, director, DLA Distribution Warner Robins, Georgia; sit on an audit panel during the DLA Distribution Leadership Summit where leaders from across DLA Distribution's 24 global centers gathered at headquarters in New Cumberland Sept. 14-18, focusing on the evolution of the command's storage and distribution network in support of the joint warfighter. (DOW photo by Dorie Heyer, released)

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AMC Leadership Spotlights Joint Interdependence

Army Lt. Gen. Gavin Lawrence, deputy commanding general and acting commanding general of U.S. Army Materiel Command, gave a keynote address on joint force interdependence and changes across the operating environment.

Other sessions included discussions with DLA Information Operations on WMS developments, a presentation and panel focused on artificial intelligence use cases across the agency, and a tabletop exercise testing distribution center responses under simulated degraded-network conditions. Leaders also toured the Eastern Distribution Center to view facility modernization projects.

Cotman's Closing Charge

Cotman closed the summit by thanking attendees and staff for their participation, pointing out that the week's greatest value came from candid, direct exchanges.

"What I really appreciated was the dialogue that happened in this room, and I think probably more importantly, what happened outside the room," Cotman said. "It makes those conversations that much easier now because you actually met that person face to face. What makes this organization so special is the way we can talk, we can bring problems to the table, and we can have fruitful discussions. We have to maintain that type of dialogue."

Cotman asked commanders to take the summit's priorities back to their centers, especially modernization, audit compliance, and operational synchronization. He acknowledged the daily demands on warehouse floors and pledged headquarters support.

"You are the ones that are right there where the rubber meets the road, and you're making it happen," Cotman said. "When there are barriers in your way, we in this headquarters need to not be a barrier for you. Keep bringing those to us... we will take it to the agency to get you what you need."

Reiterating that DLA Distribution remains a continuous learning organization, Cotman expressed confidence in the team's collective momentum.

"Leaving today, we're closer and we are a better team right now because of what we did during this week," Cotman said. "Thank you."