Lockhart named director of logistics
FORT LEE, Va. – Joel L. Lockhart, former senior supply management for the Department of the Army, has been named director of logistics for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) effective March 12.
He fills the position previously held by Randall S. “Randy” Eller who retired from government service Dec. 31. Jerry Hall, chief of the overseas distribution division, had served as acting director and deputy director of logistics since Jan. 1.
“Mr. Lockhart’s vast experience in logistics, both as a government civilian, a contractor and in uniform, has served the military quite well,” said Michael J. Dowling, DeCA deputy director and COO. “I’m confident that our logistics team, with his leadership and expertise, will continue to help support DeCA’s mission of delivering the commissary benefit to our patrons worldwide.”
As the agency’s logistics director, Lockhart will oversee the operations and business processes of eight overseas central distribution centers, the central meat processing plant in Europe, management and accountability for operational store and CDC equipment and supplies, and the agency’s distribution and transportation operations supporting nearly 240 commissaries in 13 countries and 780 employees.
Prior to his current assignment, he had served since September 2017 as senior supply management specialist in the Acquisition Logistics Policy and Programs Directorate, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Sustainment, ASA (ALT). There he was responsible for advising the ASA (ALT) leadership on strategies and resources necessary to execute supply management and property accountability policies, processes and procedures.
From 2016 to 2017, Lockhart also served as a contractor in support of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, Logistics Innovation Agency, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller. Before his contracting assignment, he served in the civil service as the chief of the Logistics Enterprise Systems Division at the Combined Arms Support Command.
“What an honor to join the DeCA Team,” Lockhart said. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to meeting and working with my fellow DeCA teammates.
“My father is a retired Air Force non-commissioned officer, so I grew up shopping at the commissary,” he added. “As a life-long customer of the commissary, I am excited to join DeCA to help provide the best possible service to the most deserving customers – our military personnel, retirees, disabled veterans and their families.”
Lockhart has more than 33 years of combined military and civil service. Before retiring from the U.S. Army in 2015 as a chief warrant officer five, Lockhart served on active duty for over 26 years in a variety of tactical, operational and strategic-level assignments that included deployments to Panama, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.
He is the recipient of the Army Bronze Star, as well as numerous other DOD and military service awards.
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About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.