Logistics Innovation Agency director retires

Photo by Marny Malin
Mark O'Konski, executive director of the U.S. Army Logistics Innovation Agency, receives an award from Lt. Gen. Mitchell Stevenson, Deputy Chief of Staff, G4 at a ceremony to mark O'Konski's retirement after 33 years of service in the Department of Defense.

Mark J. O'Konski, retired as director of the United States Army Logistics Innovation Agency Friday after more than 33 years of service to DoD.

LIA is the field operating agency of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, G-4,

He leaves the agency after overseeing and leading LIA's most aggressive and productive period of innovation since the agency's inception. During his tenure, which began in 1995, the agency completed countless projects for Army logisticians, created and implemented Army policy and a complete overhaul of the agency's organizational philosophy, a feat which has allowed LIA to grow and produce at unprecedented levels.

Before being named LIA's director, O'Konski was the assistant director of transportation in the ODCS, G-4. He had been on the U.S. Army Staff since 1981, and served as chief, Mobility/Force Structure Team, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Headquarters, Department of the Army, with oversight responsibility for Army transportation programs related to mobilization and strategic deployment; and, as staff specialist for mobility in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, with primary responsibility for airlift aircraft and related systems.

He is a recipient of the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award, which recognizes a member of the Senior Executive Service for long term accomplishment in providing the highest level of integrity, leadership and personal conduct in their work, and the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, which is the highest award granted by the Secretary of the Army to Army civilian personnel and is comparable to the Military Distinguished Service Medal.