DLA Troop Support hosts Subsistence Field Representatives Summit

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support held their DLA Subsistence Field Representative Summit on July 21-23. A total of 13 field representatives arrived in Philadelphia from various locations across the country.

Subsistence supply chain Director, Navy Capt. Tim Griffin, expressed how the field reps are an integral part of DLA Troop Support.

"The Subsistence Field Reps are indispensable members of our team. They're often times tasked with resolving critical issues for warfighters in real-time that wouldn't be possible if we didn't have them physically present in our major Fleet and Garrison concentration areas."

DLA Troop Support Executive Director, Contracting and Acquisition Management, Mr. William Kenny provided opening remarks.

"The knowledge you gain during this summit, and insight you share, will help ensure DLA Troop Support remains a trusted partner to industry and most importantly, our customers," said Kenny. "I hope you enjoy the next three days. Walk around, meet some new folks, leave with new ideas and stronger connections for what lies ahead."

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, these summits have been intermittent.

"We held one in late 2023, December 2025 and going forward will plan yearly for July starting in 2026," said Subsistence Chief of Continental United States Garrison Feeding Customer Operations Division Lauren Austin. "Summits are tailored each time to the needs and requests of the attendees."

Field representatives work within designated regions throughout the CONUS to ensure Subsistence provides quality produce to our forces deployed. Reps come with various experience levels ranging from a few weeks on the job to over 46 years in the same role.

"Across all 13 reps, we have over 400 years of government service with over 200 of those years dedicated to DLA service," said Austin.

"We work with everyone in Philadelphia year-round, but we don't get to see their faces," said Customer Specialist Andrew Pisney. "It is like being customer facing out in the field- when you meet that person you build that personal relationship."

Pisney, based out of Lime Springs, Iowa, is the Field Representative for the Midwest region. He talked about being face to face with the customer is one of his favorite parts.

"It is different when you just pick up a phone to talk to somebody clear across the country, than if you talk to a person in their operation. I can be there and assist them one on one."

For the three-day summit, the topics for discussion were built based on requests from the representatives. Many of these topics haven't been briefed or trained in a formal setting. They include Audit team, breakout tables, and Buyer's Guide Discussion / New Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

"They do an incredible job supporting warfighters in competition, and we've leaned on them heavily," said Griffin. "No two days are alike for our Field Reps, we're incredibly fortunate to have them in the field supporting our customers."