Four ‘vanguards of warfighter readiness’ join Troop Support’s Hall of Fame

Four former Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support leaders were inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in their honor April 2, joined by family, friends and former colleagues.

Army Maj. Gen. Eric P. Shirley, Richard Ellis, Michael McCall and Elaine Jordan joined the DLA Troop Support Hall of Fame, established in 1994 to recognize former employees who've made significant and enduring contributions to the organization.

Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Sean P. Kelly said presiding over the ceremony for the first time was an honor and humbling experience.

"Each of our inductees has paved the way for our current and future logistics leaders as our very own vanguards of warfighter readiness, known for their mentorship and innovation within their respective areas of expertise," Kelly said.

Kelly described Shirley, former Troop Support commander from 2021 to 2023, as a vanguard of the agency's global posture, ensuring the supply chains were unified to meet warfighters' diverse needs.

Shirley spearheaded several efforts across the various supply chains, including leading the organization during the COVID-19 global pandemic and ensuring the successful rollout of the Army's Green Service Uniform.

Shirley currently serves as commander of Army Sustainment Command and credited the honor of receiving the award to Troop Support's team members.

"Certainly 33 years ago, as I entered my journey of Army service, I never thought I'd be here," Shirley said. "What it truly means to be global joint logistician, I learned here. This is where I learned the stakes of the global mission from a supply chain perspective and an industry perspective. You are indispensable partners to the joint force."

Ellis, former deputy commander, echoed Shirley's sentiments and thanked the workforce for the award.

"Whenever anyone would ask me about the Troop Support workforce, I would tell them it's the hardest working, most dedicated and most innovative team I've ever had the privilege of working with," Ellis said. "I am very grateful and humbled by this recognition, but it would not have been at all possible without your hard work, dedication and focus."

Ellis served in several roles during his tenure at Troop Support from 2009 to 2022, including acquisition executive and acting commander. Kelly described Ellis as a vanguard of acquisition-excellence, spearheading strategies and managing the fine details to meet Troop Support's broader mission of warfighter support.

Ellis integrated strategic planning, budgeting, and supply management programs, in addition to implementing mentoring programs including the Troop Support Training Academy, and the Innovative Success and Partnership in Reaching Excellence (InSPIRE) Program.

McCall, former Small Business director, was a vanguard of small business success, as he transformed the ways the agency does business and implemented practices still in place today, Kelly said.

Throughout his career of 39 years, McCall championed the integration of small businesses, large businesses, and mandatory sources, including National Industries for the Blind, to effectively support the warfighter and other government partners.

"I am very humbled and appreciate this honor," McCall said. "At Troop Support, I was fortunate enough to be involved with rewarding work, by doing the best possible to support warfighters. And at the same time, developing innovative approaches to engage economic programs that supported blind, disabled [workers] and small businesses."

Jordan, former Industrial Hardware branch chief, who was inducted posthumously, was represented at the ceremony by her family, including her daughter Kimyatta Jordan.

Jordan served DLA Troop Support and its legacy organizations for 41 years, and was a vanguard of logistics leadership, serving as a coveted mentor and innovator who left an indelible mark on many within the organization, Kelly said.

In addition to her technical expertise in contracting and quality assurance, Jordan helped orchestrate college fairs, mentor high school students and championed initiatives like the Federal Women's Program.

"She was a wonderful example to us, and she leaves a wonderful legacy, and I hope that her legacy continues to live on," Frazier said.

Frazier believes her mother would have been grateful and humbled to receive the recognition, she said.

"There's a saying to 'give people their flowers while they're still alive,' you did that while she was alive," Frazier said. "Her peers nominated her. They're still pouring into her. They're still giving her 'her flowers,' and I thank you, because now that shows us that you continue to think about her, just as we do and to be in the Hall of Fame, she's our star, and we thank you for placing her there."

During the ceremony, each inductee and a former colleague or family members, and Jordan's children and grandchildren, unveiled their respective Hall of Fame plaques.