When many in the New York District think of Logistics Management, vehicles usually come to mind: signing them out for field work and site visits. But that’s just one aspect of a much broader mission.
At the Helm
Allen Crenshaw (ULA), logistics manager, oversees operations for an office of four. A retired military officer with 20 years’ service in the Army rising to the rank of Major, he holds a bachelor’s degree in logistics and procurement from Alabama A & M, and a master’s in logistics management from Webster University in St. Louis. He’s also completed two tours of duty in Korea and deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Supporting Staff
James Gains (ULA) is facilities specialist, ensuring invoices are paid for office space, repairs, and maintenance (the New York District rents office space from the General Services Administration (GSA) which owns 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan.) Mr. Gains also coordinated a three-day office cleanup earlier this year. Andres Garcia (ULA) is motor vehicle operator, driving District Commander Col. David A. Caldwell to all engagements, including special events such as the Change of Command in June 2015. He also manages a fleet of 90+ vehicles leased from the GSA, ensuring they’re serviced and in good condition. Fen Chen (ULA) is supply technician, visiting installations in the District, including Fort Drum (upstate NY) and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point north of Manhattan, ensuring all equipment meets regulations.
Additional Missions
In an interview, Mr. Crenshaw said one central responsibility is ensuring Col. Caldwell and Deputy District Commander Lt. Col. John Knight are informed of all departmental operations — new initiatives, regulations, personnel, budget, etc. He also discussed the following operations:
►Financial liability (investigating property loss).
►Maintaining optimal size vehicle fleet (justifying the number of vehicles needed to meet District missions.)
►Fuel-efficiency consultation.
►Space utilization management.
►Purchase Requests and Commitment (PRCs).
►Building emergency management plans.
►Maintenance and renovations.
►Vehicle acquisition.
Executive Order 13963
One major initiative Mr. Crenshaw is implementing is Executive Order 13963 from President Obama, reviewing the federal government’s fleet of vehicles and gradually changing to hybrid vehicles (the District already uses some). The directive also requires creating a Vehicle Utilization Review Board (VURB) for the North Atlantic Division. Now in its early stages, the board is charged with optimizing the Army’s non-tactical vehicle (NTV) fleet, recommending changes in vehicle assignments/allocations to installations in the New York District, and approving requests for additional vehicles.
VURB goals also include reducing total fuel consumption by 30 percent by 2025, increasing the use of alternative fuels, having zero-emission vehicles and AFVs account for 20 percent of new vehicle acquisitions by the end of 2020, and comprise 50 percent of the government’s fleet by the end of 2025.