Defense Logistics Agency Employees Receive BIG Recognition
FORT BELVOIR, Va., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ — Cornel Holder and Eddie Shelton
are the recipients of the 2005 Blacks in Government Civilian Meritorious
Service Award for Outstanding Department of Defense African American
Contributions.
Holder, the Defense National Stockpile Center administrator, was selected
in the GS-14 through GS-15 category.
Shelton, a Defense Supply Center Richmond inventory management specialist,
was selected in the GS-07 through GS-11 category.
Both DSCR and DNSC are field activities of the Defense Logistics Agency.
The Honorable Charles S. Abell, principal deputy under secretary of
defense for personnel and readiness, and Darlene Young, BIG national
president, presented the awards Aug. 3, at the BIG’s 27th Annual National
Training Conference in Orlando, Fla.
In his remarks, Abell recognized Holder and Shelton for their outstanding
contributions and accomplishments in the development of African Americans
within the Department of Defense. Young congratulated the award winners for
their continuous endeavors for excellence, equity and opportunity for all,
human rights, race relations, equal opportunity and public service.
DLA Vice Director Maj. Gen. Mary L. Saunders was on hand for the
presentations.
“Mr. Holder and Mr. Shelton are two outstanding individuals who are most
deserving of these meritorious service awards,” said Saunders. “They not only
enrich our workplace but their respective communities also. We all can be
proud of their achievements and the standard of excellence they continue to
set as part of this Agency.
Holder is consistently sought as a panel member on DLA equal employment
opportunity initiatives focusing on the advancement of minorities in the
workforce. Most recently, he was a presenter and panelist at DLA’s African
American Male Leader Development Program.
“I am honored to receive such a prestigious award but humbled in knowing
that there are many other individuals worthy of this award,” said Holder. “I
have strived most of my life to open doors to advancement and encourage the
elimination of artificial barriers.”
Holder also credited the DNSC management team for helping the African
American cause. “This award recognizes the efforts of the entire DNSC team of
managers, as well as several other DNSC employees who have worked for fair and
equitable treatment of minority members.”
Shelton’s primary responsibilities at DSCR include receipting, validating
and pricing of customer sales orders. He processes customer orders, maintains
customer data, provides product information to customers, handles emergency
requests, and validates customer account information.
According to Shelton, his life theme is “One people, one community,
working for a better future.”
“This award is a most rewarding experience for me,” said Shelton. “I am
especially proud and thankful for the people whose shoulders I have stood on
to reach this achievement. I am especially thankful for my immediate and DSCR
family, the Bellwood BIG Chapter and the national organization.”
Shelton is proud of being a team player and community activist and has
received numerous awards from various local and federal agencies teams for his
efforts. “I constantly strive to enhance the African American and
disadvantaged communities in the Richmond, Va., area,” he said.
BIG was organized in 1975 and incorporated as a non-profit organization
under the District of Columbia jurisdiction in 1976. BIG responded to the
need of African Americans in public service by organizing around issues of
mutual concern and use their collective strength to confront workplace and
community issues.
The organization promotes equity in all aspects of American life,
excellence in public service and the opportunity for all Americans to excel.
DLA provides supply support, and technical and logistics services to the
U.S. military services and several federal civilian agencies. Headquartered at
Fort Belvoir, Va., the agency is the one source for nearly every consumable
item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day
operations. More information about DLA is available at http://www.dla.mil.