Photo By Christopher Goulait | Defense Logistics Agency Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch talks to DLA Energy...... read more read more
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Defense Logistics Agency Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch shared his thoughts on the agency and his vision for its future during a town hall with DLA Energy employees Feb. 10 at the McNamara Headquarters Complex.
Busch, who is on his third assignment with the agency, told the audience that he heard positive things about the agency starting back in April when he interviewed with Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall.
“I’m delighted to be here, and I’m delighted to be your director,” Busch said. “You are doing great things, and I've heard that from up and down the chain [of command].”
The Office of the Secretary of Defense and the military services are extremely complimentary of the organization, he said. He shared that the combatant commanders are all very pleased with the products they get from DLA Energy.
During a visit in U.S. Pacific Command’s area of responsibility, the director said he was told by every commander he met that they like DLA and what it does for them, and that goes for the energy portfolio as well.
Busch shared with the audience things that his predecessor, retired Navy Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek, did that he would continue.
“One thing I would contribute to Harnitchek’s time here is what I call action orientation,” he said. “There’s a very ‘Let’s get it done’ attitude about DLA that is playing very well with our customers.”
There might be a difference between the ways Harnitchek and Busch present their interests, the general said, but he will watch closely to ensure that DLA’s action orientation isn't lost during his tenure as director.
Busch also said there will continue to be annual operating plans and director’s guidance.
Busch, DLA’s 18th director has been associated with the agency for 20 years. He first served as the chief of the weapons system readiness teams and executive officer of materiel management at DLA Headquarters from 1995-1998. His next tour at DLA was as DLA Aviation commander from 2007 to 2009.
His time at DLA, Busch said, has helped him learn the people who work for the agency are great.
“They are mission focused, flexible, resourceful and resilient,” he said. “You have answered the call in the 20 years I've known you in ways you probably can’t appreciate as much as I, as I've jumped back into the Air Force or I've worked with combatant commanders and seen the benefits of the fruits of your labor.”
Busch said he was glad to be back at DLA and humble for the opportunity.
“My service fought very hard to put an Airman back in this job, and I intend not to let them down,” he added.
Busch told the audience the resource outlook for fiscal 2015 is solid.
“The sales in the supply chains are doing very well,” he said. “It puts us in a position [where] we've been able to lower the fuel price and have additional cash that we’ll probably be directed to give back to the services.”
The director briefed the audience on DLA’s future. He highlighted President Barack Obama’s recent budget request to Congress for fiscal 2016.
“What looks very challenging is the future … only because of uncertainty,” Busch said. “The president’s budget is $34 billion over the sequestration cap. Quite frankly, we don’t know what’s going to happen there.”
Busch said sequestration is the law of the land, and it will take political momentum to change it. Whether that happens incrementally or in one fell swoop is unclear, he said.
“My pledge to you as the director is I will tell you what I know and what I see happening,” Busch said. “You guys on a personal level will be very concerned about furloughs; I understand that and will share everything I see.”
He said he has seen nothing that suggests the agency is going down that path.
“You’ll be very concerned professionally about how you execute your job if you operate in a very tough budget environment in 2016,” he said. “We will communicate with you as often and openly as we can as all that develops. We had enough political momentum to help ourselves in 2014 and 2015, and I’m hopeful we will do the same in 2016 and the remainder of the years that are affected.”
The new director also talked to the DLA Energy audience about continuous process improvement, the whole-of-government support strategy, Better Buying Power 3.0, audit readiness, the new Congress and the secretary of defense. He shared his personal commitment to the workforce.
“If I’m going to serve as your director, I have some things that I need to help sustain from what my predecessor did with you,” Busch said. “I have to help you become as resilient as possible to take on your challenges in your personal life and professional life, create the programs to help you stay healthy and be well, and create a workplace that respects you as a valued team member.”
Prior to the town hall, Busch was briefed by DLA Energy senior leaders about the organization and its strategic objectives. He also conducted a walkthrough of the DLA Energy headquarters area and spoke with employees.
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.13.2015 09:43 |
| Story ID: | 154451 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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