Five former employees inducted to DLA Troop Support Hall of Fame

PHILADELPHIA -

Five former employees were inducted to the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Hall of Fame during a ceremony in their honor November 19.

Friends, family and former co-workers gathered to recognize Ralph Lund, Dr. Beatrice E. Ross, Susan Schafer, Patricia Scott, and Dennis Strolle for their contributions throughout their respective DLA Troop Support careers.

Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Landis Maddox said the annual event, established in 1994, is an opportunity to recognize and pay tribute to individuals who drove innovation, generated new business, and enhanced the readiness and lethality of Department of Defense servicemembers through creativity, vision, and dedication to their careers.

"This recognition is for those extraordinary individuals who came to work every day, with the singular focus of giving their all to the mission and the servicemembers we support," Maddox said. "The individuals we honor here today, are joining the tradition of excellence, forged here in Philadelphia and around the world over the past 225 years. The legacy of DLA Troop Support Hall of Fame inductees has shaped what the organization is today: a supply chain logistics powerhouse, agile and innovative in global support to warfighters and our whole of government customers."

Lund culminated a 36-year federal career as director of supplier operations with the Construction and Equipment supply chain. He was instrumental in evolving the C&E's Diving Equipment Prime Vendor program into the current Special Operational Equipment Tailored Logistics Support program, expanding the scope of the program to include a wide variety of categories.

"It is a great honor to be selected for the Hall of Fame by the workforce," Lund said. "DLA has provided me an opportunity, a career, and it has given me lasting friendships. One thing I'm most proud, of is an opportunity to be a part of what we did to support our troops every day with our actions."

Ross began her career with the Defense Industrial Supply Center right out of high school, as part of the Federal Junior Fellowship Program. She retired in 2021 as the customer support liaison for the Army and Marine Corps within the Planning and Operations division. There, she was the designated representative for several initiatives, including the DLA Aviation-led virtual Army support team, and resolving Army readiness issues supporting various weapons systems.

"I am overwhelmed today, because I am having a full-circle moment right now," Ross said. "I stood at this podium many times during my career, emceeing or delivering invocations during programs, retirements, changes of command and even hall of fame events, not knowing one day I would be on the receiving end. Thank you all who put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboards, with such generous testimonials for my nomination."

Schafer worked 46 years with Troop Support culminating her career as the executive officer of the Command office where she was considered a "crown jewel" of Troop Support due to her vast knowledge of organizational and functional issues. Within her role, Schafer planned, organized and implemented several large and important programs that signified professional accomplishments and milestones at Troop Support.

"It is said that no matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you," Schafer said. "I was truly fortunate during my 45-year career to have many somebodies helping me throughout this outstanding journey."

Scott began her career as a clerk stenographer and retired in 2021 as the Subsistence supply chain's Customer Operations, Continental United States Garrison Feeding Division chief. As the division chief, Scott successfully led a $734 million Subsistence Prime Vendor program, as well as a $498 million Produce and Fresh Market program, becoming known as the "Mother of the School Lunch program."

"I am honored and humbled by this recognition," she said. "DLA gave me a wonderful career and many opportunities. Our mission here is clear, to take care of our service members all around the world. There can't be a more rewarding job than that."

Strolle worked the entirety of his Troop Support career in Subsistence, culminating his career as a contracting officer before returning for four additional years after retirement, as an annuitant strategic sourcing specialist. His impact on Troop Support's acquisition and supplier operations was demonstrated during the development and award of the next generation Prime Vendor Afghanistan contract during Operation Enduring Freedom. The contract was valued at $10 billion and supported over 250 customer locations.

Strolle was not able to attend the event, so Subsistence Deputy Director Gary Shifton accepted the award on his behalf.

"Dennis wanted me to say a few remarks on his behalf," Shifton said, "He wanted to thank Brig. Gen. Maddox and the Command staff office team for putting on this annual bellwether event for Troop Support. He said he was proud of the contributions he was able to make feeding the troops all around the world. At the end of his career, Dennis became the lead trainer for interns and Pathways to Career Excellence employees, many who are leaders today. So, his legacy lives on and we can't be more proud."

Each inductee was presented with a plaque commemorating their induction and are now featured on the DLA Troop Support Hall of Fame wall display.

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