New leader takes helm at DLA Distribution San Diego

SAN DIEGO — Navy Capt. Edelio “Del” Joloya assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Diego from Navy Capt. Phoebe Tamayo during a July 17 change-of-command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, presided over by Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Cotman.

“Captain Tamayo, your impact on this team and what this site did in support of the warfighter is vast, incredible and reaches far beyond this idyllic California coastline,” Cotman said. Addressing the crowd, he added, “This ceremony is not just a recognition of these two officers, it is a celebration of everything that all of you have done. The accomplishments of this workforce are amazing, with globally reaching implications.”

Cotman cited the scale of operations in San Diego, noting the site maintains more than 87,000 unique items valued at over $7.7 billion. Over the past two years, the workforce processed more than 504,000 material issues, 105,000 receipts, nearly 200,000 packaging requirements, and well over 580,000 Material Processing Center lines.

“The operational tempo is ever changing,” Cotman said. “The requirements our warfighters have to maintain security across a global landscape are rapidly evolving. And all of you rise to the challenge, each and every day.”

He credited Tamayo with steering the team through the Warehouse Management System transition soon after she took command and a subsequent surge supporting six aircraft carriers and other fleet assets, while fostering a people-first culture.

“Serving throughout this command tour has been a highly rewarding chapter of my career, primarily because I worked alongside an extraordinary group of professionals,” Tamayo said. “Any success we achieved during my tour was only possible because of the dedication, hard work, and exceptional character of individuals like you.”

Looking ahead, Cotman outlined three priorities for the incoming commander: build on the existing foundation of excellence, lead with integrity and compassion, and continue modernizing the distribution center to meet future surges. “Captain Joloya is ready to hit the ground running and advance this distribution center through every challenge,” Cotman said. “Del, you are taking command at a time of globally heightened tensions where the impact this workforce makes will be felt by warfighters around the globe.”

In his first remarks to the command, Joloya emphasized the strategic importance of logistics to combat power. “The core of our mission in logistics is not just a goal, nor just a support function or a bumper sticker. It is a strategic imperative. It is combat power,” Joloya said. “Ensuring that every piece of equipment and every critical repair part is in the right place and delivered at the speed of combat, at the speed of relevance, is what we do every single day.”

A native of Cavite, Philippines, Joloya enlisted in the Navy in 1991 as an aviation support equipment technician aboard USS Peleliu and earned his commission in 2000 through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and an MBA from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and completed executive programs at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business.

His sea tours include USS Bonhomme Richard, USS Pinckney, USS Kearsarge, and USS Makin Island. Ashore, he served at Fleet Logistics Center Puget Sound, deployed to Iraq as a contingency contracting officer, and was deputy chief of staff for logistics for Expeditionary Strike Group 3, where he oversaw support for the USNS Mercy during the pandemic. His personal decorations include four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.

“Together, we will build on the legacy of excellence established here and continue to provide the world-class support that our warfighters deserve,” Joloya concluded. “Let’s get to work.”