Across the Globe Virtually: A New Chapter
Inaugural Meeting October 26, 2022, at 2 PM EST
It is fair to say that COVID-19 disrupted many of the things we did in life. Organization participation and in-person meetings were no exception. People found themselves in organizations that were not allowed to hold in-person activities to ensure member safety, and as a result of local and state mandates. Throughout the continuing pandemic, leaders found themselves trying to identify ways to bring their organizations back to life in a safe and productive manner. The National Defense Transportation Association was no exception. The answer was simple: a virtual chapter that operated entirely through cyberspace. A President, Vice President, and Secretary were selected and given the reins to make the virtual chapter come to life. After about three months of planning and challenging work, the United States NDTA Virtual Chapter received its charter on August 26, 2022.
The chapter currently has fifty-four official members and is currently looking for positions such as Membership Director. The platform used for meetings is Microsoft Teams. A website is close to completion and will provide educational information such as regulations, letters from the President, and other materials relevant to many areas of transportation, such as current news.
Our first meeting is on October 26, 2022, at 2 PM EST. We are honored to have Admiral Brown and Craig Hymes present to open our first meeting. Our first meeting will feature a panel, with confirmed panel members Sierra Fisher, Mike Chapell, and Jason Moore. We also hope that Jennifer Reed, from NDTA, is available to participate on that panel to answer membership questions.
Meet your United States NDTA Virtual Chapter Board members:
- President: David Helton, EASE Logistics, leads the GOVOPS team and ensures his organization is compliant with all standards and certifications dealing with working with the government. David is a United States Air Force veteran. He earned a business degree from Arizona State University, an MBA from William & Mary, and will graduate with his doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Dayton in May of 2023. David has an extensively accomplished background of more than 25 years creating, leading, and executing supply chain and logistics operations. He is an avid golfer, a military history enthusiast, enjoys movies and spending time with his family.
- Vice President: Cheryl Bales Inslee, United States Postal Service, was introduced to transportation by the US Army Reserve. Cheryl deployed in 2003 as a transportation management coordinator and went on to become a Transportation Officer and Company Commander of a medium truck company that hauled fuel. Cheryl currently works as Postmaster Relief at her local Post Office and spends her spare time working towards a Master’s in Transportation and Logistics, flying drones and working toward her commercial drone license, and spending time with her Pomeranians and cats.
- Secretary: Melody Haislip, Vice President of National Sales- Island Hospitality Management which manages eighty hotels across the United States including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG, as well as a corporate apartment brand of long-term lodging called Water Walk. Melody has been an active member of NDTA since 2016 and is delighted to have the opportunity to serve in a leadership role in this inaugural chapter. She has participated on an expert panel and facilitated industry breakout sessions at GovTravels. In addition, she has served on the GSA’s Long-Term Lodging Committee and is on the Fedrooms Hotel Council. Melody is passionate about cooking, working to eliminate food insecurity in her local community, and volunteering with her Therapy Dog, Harper.
- Treasurer: Michael Taylor, DHL, serves as the Global Director of Public Sector Compliance and Governance, where he is responsible for all customer touch points within the government, defense, administration, NGO, aid, and relief sectors globally for DHL Express. DHL is the world’s leading international express services provider, servicing 220 countries and territories worldwide with specialized tailored solutions to markets, industries, and needs. He is a founding member of DHL Express Public Sector team in 2004, whose mission is a key focus on government/defense, NGO, and the public sector. He served previously in various field operations leadership roles within DHL Express and has over 30 years of industry experience with specialties in international operations, aviation, program/project management, contract management, and compliance to name a few. He also is a member of DHL’s Disaster Response Team. He has conducted various speaking engagements to distinguished audiences at the US Army War College, US Chamber of Commerce, industry trade events, national media outlets, and various Department of Defense Commands on topics of logistics in a global environment, supply chain during crisis/conflict, business continuity during disasters and has participated in tabletop exercises with government and civilian agencies. Externally he serves in various advisory roles on business management, logistics, and international business and is nationally recognized for his distinguished service to the youth by the Boy Scouts of America, for his dedicated leadership and service in various capacities including serving as a commissioner. When not traveling the world or working from DHL U.S. and America’s headquarters in Plantation, Florida, he spends his weekends and resides in Ellicott City, Maryland with his family.