DLA Distribution staff earn national honors for logistics excellence

Two Defense Logistics Agency Distribution employees and one of the organization’s teams were honored with 2026 awards from the National Institute of Packaging, Handling, and Logistics Engineers at a May 6 banquet during NIPHLE’s National Training Event in Oak Ridge, New Jersey.

Marek Rebisz, a hazardous material identifier and examiner at DLA Distribution Europe, received the Lifetime Achievement award. Rebisz was cited for adapting to new guidelines for Class I Meals, Ready-to-Eat and for developing a cargo planning and staging system that prioritized delivery dates, shipment methods and destinations. “He is one of our most technical hazmat processors, which he developed over his 17 years of experience at DLA Distribution Europe, while also being a big contributor to our Class I order fulfillment in theater,” said Army Lt. Col. Michael Zdrojesky, commander, DLA Distribution Europe. “He was awarded the DLA Global Distribution Excellence Award Vehicle/Material Handling Equipment Operator of the Year for 2024, and it is great to see his 2026 NIPHLE recognition.”

Ismael Vera, a packer supervisor at DLA Distribution Corpus Christi, Texas, earned the Packaging Lifetime Achievement award. He led his team in following specialized packing instructions, launched a container remediation program, and designed and implemented an electrostatic discharge packing station that processed 142 items worth more than $5 million. “He is a true professional that has dedicated his time to serving the warfighter by ensuring everyone he works with is properly trained to provide world-class support,” said Army Lt. Col. Joshua Meador, commander, DLA Distribution Corpus Christi, Texas. “He continues to show his support by always being proactive to improving the supply chain, and I am proud to have him as a member of the team.”

The DLA Distribution Europe Theater Consolidation Shipping Point Europe team was named Corporate/Agency of the Year for operational achievements and warfighter support in 2025. The team managed a dynamic mission set, boosted productivity, and introduced new processes to speed and improve packing, handling and logistics. Zdrojesky has previously noted the TCSP-E team’s record of high performance, including DLA Global Distribution Excellence Awards for Henry T. Flint Shipping Point of the Year in 2021, 2023 and 2024, and Team Performance of the Year in 2024. “They have answered the call every year, with support to NATO’s eastern flank, support to operations, and other emerging requirements across three combatant commands,” Zdrojesky said. “I am proud of the TCSP team and glad to see NIPHLE recognize the TCSP as the 2026 Corporate/Agency of the Year.”