Campus Life

U.S. military logistics director to speak at Penn State Smeal leadership series

Lt. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, director of the Defense Logistics Agency, provides strategic leadership for the Department of Defense's combat support agency for worldwide logistics. He directs nine supply chains supporting the U.S. military, as well as federal, state, local and international partners. Credit: Photo providedAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Lt. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, director of the Defense Logistics Agency, shared his perspectives on logistics and leadership with the Penn State Smeal College of Business on Friday, Jan. 19. His visit was part of Smeal’s Executive Insights series.

Williams took part in a moderated discussion with Charles H. Whiteman, John and Becky Surma Dean of Smeal, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. in the Struthers Auditorium, 110 Business Building. The event was free and open to the public, but online registration was required at www.smeal.psu.edu/insights.

Williams’ visit is the first Executive Insights this spring.

He provides strategic leadership for the Department of Defense’s combat support agency for worldwide logistics. Williams directs nine supply chains supporting the U.S. military, as well as federal, state, local and international partners. The Defense Logistics Agency provides food, medical material, uniforms and construction equipment, 98 percent of the DOD’s fuel, and the majority of spare parts for military weapons systems. He oversees the National Defense Stockpile, an international network of 38 distribution centers, and the department’s process for reverse logistics. He leads a global expeditionary workforce of more than 25,000 military and civilians.

Williams is a distinguished military graduate of the Hampton Institute ROTC Program, a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies, and a distinguished graduate of the National War College. He earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Hampton Institute, and master’s degrees in military arts and sciences and national security and strategic studies. He earned a master of science degree in business management (logistics) from Smeal in 1991.

Executive Insights is designed to complement the Smeal educational experience by bringing high-profile business leaders to the college to connect with students, faculty, staff and administrators. Past guests include leaders from organizations such as Archer Daniels Midland, BASF, Boeing, Credit Suisse, Dell, Deloitte, Dick’s Sporting Goods, EY, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Kohl’s, KPMG, Macy’s, National Retail Federation, Nestlé, Oracle, Procter & Gamble, PwC, Samsung, Siemens, Verizon, Tumi Holdings, Inc. and Urban Outfitters.

Last Updated January 22, 2018

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