DLA Energy Shadow Program participants: Where are they now

The Defense Logistics Agency Energy Shadow Program is an opportunity for any DLA Energy employee to get an up-close look at the daily routine of a senior leader. The goal of the week-long experience is to help rising employees envision themselves in positions of greater responsibility and leadership.

But what happens after employees shadow a leader?

Chris Boeding, Rachel Dunlap, Darren Dunham and Daniel Poole share their experiences on how the Shadow Program helped shape their careers.

Chris Boeding shadowed Guy Beougher, then the DLA Energy deputy commander, Jan. 22-26, 2018. At the time, Boeding was the division chief for the Bulk Petroleum Products Domestic West Division. Since then, he's gone on to become the deputy commander for DLA Energy Japan and is currently the DLA Energy liaison officer to Australia.

He decided to apply for his most recent positions because of what he learned during his shadow experience.

"Mr. Beougher gave me some advice to broaden myself outside of contracting and headquarters," Boeding said. "He was a huge proponent of understanding our customers, and what better way to do that than get out there with them."

Boeding said the face-to-face time he's had for the past five years with warfighters and customers has been invaluable.

"I've learned more about logistics, sustainment, and supply chain challenges and gained strategic knowledge on combatant command plans and operations in the Indo-Pacific," he said.

In addition to stepping out of his comfort zone and taking on additional leadership roles, Boeding said Beougher encouraged him to continue his education. Since the shadow program, Boeding applied for and was selected for two Executive Development Program courses - the Senior Executive Fellows through Harvard Business School and Leadership as a Daily Challenge through Carnegie Mellon University.

He plans to return to DLA Energy Headquarters in a few years and hopes his combined DLA Energy acquisition background, Indo-Pacific leadership and logistics experience, and educational opportunities continue to pave a solid path for more growth and leadership opportunity at DLA Energy.

"I continue to highly recommend the shadow program because the insights gained can open your eyes to opportunities that you may have never thought about before," he said.

Rachel Dunlap shadowed shadow Air Force Brig. Gen. Martin Chapin, then the DLA Energy commander, March 12-16, 2018.

At the time, Dunlap was the Reports and Analysis Division chief for DLA Energy Business Process Support Directorate and 13-year DLA Energy employee. She said she seized the shadow opportunity to get more insight and gain an understanding of the responsibilities, interactions and perspectives of the leaders at the top of the organization.

"I knew I wanted to advance in my career and assume roles of higher responsibility and leadership," Dunlap said. "The shadow experience helped solidify that and showed me a path forward."

Soon after her shadow experience, Dunlap was selected for and attended the Eisenhower School, earning a master's degree in national resource strategy. Upon returning to DLA, she worked in the DLA Strategic Initiatives Office supporting the director and managing complex programs and projects. About a year later, she moved to DLA Logistics Operations to better understand how the DLA major subordinate commands support the DLA mission.

"These positions provided the experience necessary to take on the challenge of my current role as the director for the DLA Energy Commander's Action Group," she said.

Darren Dunham shadowed Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas, then the DLA Energy commander, for four days in early October 2021. At the time, Dunham was a procurement analyst in the DLA Energy Directorate of Supplier Operations. Now, he is the deputy commander for DLA Energy Europe and Africa in Germany.

"I applied for the shadow program to gain a better perspective of the operations and strategic decision-making at the highest leadership level," Dunham said. "It certainly provided a wholistic view of how DLA Energy's leadership leverages our overall team's efforts to guide their daily decision making in support of our warfighters."

He said participating in the various high-level meetings, hearing the questions asked and learning the information DLA Energy leadership needs to make decisions helped prepare him for being in command at a regional office.

"It definitely boosted my decision to take on more responsibility and inspired me to continue making DLA Energy the best place to work in DLA," Dunham said.

Daniel Poole shadowed Dave Kless, the current DLA Energy Deputy Commander, June 12-15, 2023. As the Governance Team lead in the DLA Energy Strategic Policy and Programs Directorate, Poole said he wanted to continue making a difference and taking on more challenging roles.

"I had a desire to see how my role fits in the bigger DLA picture," Poole said. "I was able to learn a lot about the day-to-day life of the deputy commander as well as the challenges and opportunities that he faces."

"Participating in the DLA Energy Shadow Program allowed me to see and engage in many different areas," Poole said. "From the White House to Congress to OSD [Office of the Secretary of Defense] to supplier engagements. This experience opened the aperture for me professionally."

Shortly after shadowing Kless, Poole applied for an internal rotation program as Kless' executive officer. He said he may not have taken this opportunity if not for the shadow program. Poole went on to apply for the permanent position and is now Kless' chief of staff.

"Our most important asset as an agency is our people," Kless said. "Our ability to attract, develop, and retain a diverse, skilled, and agile workforce is vital to our continued success."

Beyond helping rising employees envision themselves in positions of greater responsibility and leadership, the shadow program is also part of the agency's succession planning.

"To achieve a shared vision, we must work to fortify the culture, build connections and listen to one another," Kless said. "Encouraging employees to better understand how the business operates from the top, and encouraging senior leaders to share their experiences with employees helps prepare personnel for senior-level positions in the organization."

Learn more about DLA Energy Shadow Program including how to apply in this DLA Today Announcement (CAC-required).