Tobyhanna Army Depot Spotlights Employee Excellence Every quarter, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) proudly honors one junior and one senior member of its exceptional workforce with the Employee of the Quarter (EoQ) award. Recognizing excellence is never easy at TYAD, where talent and dedication are in abundant supply across every mission. For the 3rd Quarter of FY24, the spotlight shines on Nicole Samsell from the Public Affairs Office and Lauren Leary from the Legal Office, as they earn this well-deserved recognition for their outstanding contributions. With a strong background in communications, TYAD’s Public Affairs Office (PAO) was a natural fit for Samsell. She joined the PAO team in January 2023 as a Public Affairs Assistant and is currently serving as a Public Affairs Specialist during a 120-day temporary promotion. After successfully completing developmental assignments across different areas of the installation, Leary found her calling in TYAD’s Legal Office in 2020 when she became the Legal Assistant. While in that role, she obtained her Paralegal Certificate from East Stroudsburg University, which provided her the opportunity to become the Paralegal Specialist in 2021, the role she works in today. Samsell, this quarter’s junior recipient, joined Team Tobyhanna in November 2021 as an Administrative Assistant in the Production Engineering Directorate’s SATCOM and Site Installation Division. Her career in federal service began about a year and a half prior as she worked for the Social Security Administration. Samsell also has six years of top 40 radio hosting experience, wrote for an arts & entertainment publication, and 20 years in hospitality working in the restaurant business. She earned an Associate of the Arts degree in Communications in 2007 from Luzerne County Community College. Samsell said she found her way to TYAD in search of reliable, meaningful employment following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “[The effects of the pandemic were] a very big eye opener. It forced me to re-examine my goals, pivot, and look towards my future,” said Samsell. “Federal employment was kind of a no brainer because of the unique benefits that are available to us as federal employees. Additionally, it feels gratifying to be able to serve the country in this way.” Samsell added that she is proud that the work she helps the organization achieve is part of something bigger than just herself. “Being a civil servant is very humbling because we are a piece of a much larger puzzle. The impact that puzzle has on our society is large,” said Samsell. “That does feel like that is something that is worth taking pride in.” With a strong background in communications, TYAD’s Public Affairs Office (PAO) was a natural fit for Samsell. She joined the PAO team in January 2023 as a Public Affairs Assistant and is currently serving as a Public Affairs Specialist during a 120-day temporary promotion. She said her role within the team plays strongly into her skillset and makes coming to work feel fun. “In the current role, I really enjoy having the creative freedom to try to connect with the workforce and collaborate with my colleagues. I’ve always found that I have a knack for connecting with people, which I’ve fostered that throughout all of my years in customer service,” said Samsell. “Working in Public Affairs has been great because it has gotten me out of my chair and into the workforce meeting people and learning about the depot’s various workloads and missions.” Samsell said her favorite thing about working at TYAD is the endless opportunity for development. “My favorite thing about working at Tobyhanna has been that leadership fosters an environment where growth and development are truly valued. “When you walk into Tobyhanna and you say that you have a goal, most people around you are eager to help you achieve it,” said Samsell. “The encouragement to push boundaries and continuously improve is something that I really appreciate and is one of the reasons why I really like being a part of the organization,” she said. Upon receiving the Employee of the Quarter award, Samsell said she was shocked and humbled realizing the team around her helped make it possible. “I am really humbled from winning the award. I do know that there are dozens of people who are as deserving, if not more deserving, as I am. I can’t believe it, but I know that you are nominated by your peers and your supervisor so knowing that the input that I put in every day is valued and appreciated is very humbling and extremely motivating,” said Samsell. “Sometimes we come into work every day and we just need a little extra pep in our step to remember why we ever started this journey. This has reenergized me.” Public Affairs Officer Danielle Weinschenk said that Samsell tackles every task head-on and is willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure the team’s success. “During a time of great change for PAO, Nicole has been the constant, ensuring all members of the team have the tools they need to succeed. She willingly took on many additional duties and has played a key role in training new team members (including her new Chief). Nicole has faced these challenges with a smile, never complaining or refusing to take on yet another task,” said Weinschenk. “It is not uncommon to hear her say, ‘Put me in, coach!’ and she encourages her colleagues up, down, and across our organizational chain to do the same. No task is too big or too small for her – and her positive attitude is the catalyst for cultural change here in PAO.” Visual Information Specialist Nicolo Manzo lauded Samsell’s strong work ethic, infectious positivity, and support for the team. “Nicole is a phenomenal co-worker and teammate. She continuously goes above and beyond, offering support to the entire team and ensuring its success. Through her proactivity, adaptability, attention to detail, and excellent work ethic, she sets the entire team up for success,” said Manzo. ”Perhaps her greatest contribution to the PAO team is her positive attitude and commitment to the success of not just her own work, but the work of all those around her. If it cannot be measured in hard data, her positive impact is felt among the PAO team and can easily be observed by anyone on the installation. Members of Team Tobyhanna like Nicole Samsell ensure Tobyhanna’s position as a leader in the Department of Defense will endure.” Samsell credited the team around her, saying they serve as her source of motivation each day. “This award validates your hard work. You come in every day and you put your nose to it and it is important to be noticed for that. That is not why we do it, but that is certainly something that motivates folks to continue to go the extra mile,” said Samsell. “I really will say that the collaboration and dedication amongst my team inspires me to keep working hard.” Leary, this quarter’s senior recipient, joined Team Tobyhanna as an Administrative Assistant in the Production Engineering Directorate’s Design, Development, and Fabrication division in 2018, following years working in food service and food service management. Like Samsell, she sought a career with TYAD for a better work-life balance. After successfully completing developmental assignments across different areas of the installation, Leary found her calling in TYAD’s Legal Office in 2020 when she became the Legal Assistant. While in that role, she obtained her Paralegal Certificate from East Stroudsburg University, which provided her the opportunity to become the Paralegal Specialist in 2021, the role she works in today. Additionally, she is pursuing a Bachelors Degree from Florida International University. Leary said her time in the Legal Office has taught her much about that line of work, which she had previously not known much about. “The opportunity [in the Legal Office] opened up and working with the right team really opened my eyes to just how incredible the field is. Every day I’m tackling a new challenge or a different issue,” said Leary. “I love figuring out problems, breaking down issues, and problem solving. It is the perfect place for me with the perfect group of people at the right time in my life.” Leary lauded the team she works with in the Legal Office, saying that they have helped her grow both personally and professionally. “I get to take all of these little pieces of all of these brilliant people and it has changed me so much and changed who I am. I listen more, I am more patient, I am calmer under pressure, and I don’t need to be right; I just want to do the right thing. That is a credit to my teammates. I just value that and love that so much,” said Leary. “I work very hard but the team is the reason that I am able to do what I do in the way that I do it. On a daily basis, I learn from their actions.” Leary said that the welcoming environment fostered by the legal team is part of the reason she was able to earn the EoQ honor. “I probably would not have won this award in 2018. I think that it takes the right environment, the right co-workers and most of all, the right manager to bring out the best in an employee,” said Leary. “Starting with the environment, it is very collaborative and very safe. You never have to be scared that you’re going to be laughed at for asking a question. You never have to be afraid to ask somebody to explain something more. It is very safe in that way. We have a lot of trust in one another.” Leary said winning the EoQ was an honor knowing how many people are involved in the nomination process. “I was very shocked and surprised. It means a lot because I know that it is not just my supervisor nominating me. It goes through a lot of people,” said Leary. “It means a lot that people thought what I do matters, is important, and should be honored.” She concluded by saying she feels lucky to get to do what she does every day alongside a great team. “I love the aspect of my job where I get to break down complex issues so that anybody can consume them. I love finding solutions to problems,” said Leary. “I’m lucky that in this job, I get to think critically and tackle new challenges alongside the group of people I work with.” Chief of the Tobyhanna Legal Office Brandon Gatto said Leary’s unwavering drive, generosity, and meticulousness make her a tremendous asset to the team. “Lauren is the kind of employee every supervisor hopes for. She has a long and impressive list of accomplishments that earned her this quarter’s award, but she’s invaluable to the Legal Office because of her endless initiative, selflessness, and attention to detail,” said Gatto. “More importantly, she’s an exceptional person. She raises our bar, and she’s a role model for other employees. I am incredibly proud and lucky to have Lauren on our team.” Associate Counsel Jamie Schelling expressed deep appreciation for Leary’s hard work ethic and thoughtful nature, both of which make her dependable colleague. “Lauren is an exceptional talent. To say that we are lucky to have her in the Legal Office is an understatement. I have never seen anyone throughout my entire legal career with a more incredible work ethic than Lauren. She quickly recognizes and understands issues and has already come up with three different solutions before I’ve wrapped my brain around what it is that we are talking about,” said Schelling. “She is a crucial part of our office, not only in the value that she adds with her work but also her value as a person. Her quick wit makes work fun and she one of the most thoughtful people-she literally keeps notes in her phone of everyone in the office’s favorite things. Simply put, we are all exponentially better because she is around. It is truly all of her behind the scenes legwork that makes our jobs as attorneys run smoothly, so it is great to see her getting the recognition she deserves.” The Employee of the Quarter awards and other employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 – specifically the Investing In Our People line of effort. TOBY2035, the depot’s long-range strategic plan, has four focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications. TOBY2035 aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post-production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,300 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need.
Misericordia University Appoints Dr. Norton as Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education Misericordia University is proud to announce the appointment of Lisa May Norton, Ed.D., as the new dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education. Norton assumed her role on September 1, 2024 With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, Norton brings a wealth of experience in higher education administration and a strong commitment to advancing social justice and fostering inclusive academic environments. She joins Misericordia University from Touro University California, where she served as dean for the College of Education and Health Sciences. Her tenure at Touro was marked by her leadership in enhancing student support services, securing grants for mentoring programs, and spearheading strategic enrollment management initiatives that significantly improved student retention and success. Norton’s academic journey and professional accomplishments make her an ideal fit for Misericordia University. She has been actively engaged in community organizations and served on various advisory boards, demonstrating her dedication to community engagement and social justice advocacy. Her extensive experience in strategic planning, accreditation processes, and program development will be invaluable in advancing the College of Health Sciences and Education’s reputation and brand identity. As Misericordia University’s mission is rooted in the charisms of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality, we are thrilled to welcome Norton. Her passion for educational leadership and collaborative leadership style are expected to benefit the university community and foster a culture of growth and excellence. David Rehm, Ph.D., vice president of Academic Affairs, expressed his confidence in Norton’s appointment, stating, “Dr. Norton’s extensive experience and commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive educational environments align perfectly with our values at Misericordia University. We are certain that her leadership will significantly contribute to the continued success and growth of our College of Health Sciences and Education.” For more information about Misericordia University’s College of Health Sciences and Education, click here.
PennDOT Invites Public Comment on Electric Vehicle Charging Support Community EV framework supports Administration’s goal to make EVs more accessible to Pennsylvanians As the Shapiro Administration continues its rapid deployment of federal electric vehicle (EV) charging investments, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today invited the public to submit feedback on the agency’s proposal to invest in EV charging infrastructure in communities statewide. The survey can be found on the PennDOT website and will remain open until October 11 at 11:59 PM. Recently, PennDOT submitted the 2024 NEVI State Plan Update to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) which outlines progress on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and how the agency proposes to begin the program’s “community charging” phase which will bring federal investments to communities across Pennsylvania. The department has requested that FHWA certify it has met requirements for Pennsylvania’s 1,800 miles of Alternate Fuel Corridors (AFC) and can begin investing the state’s remaining $102 million in NEVI funding to develop community charging infrastructure. “The next step in making EVs a reliable option for PA drivers is local access to charging,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Since these chargers will be in communities, it’s vital that we hear what folks around the state think is important.” PennDOT has prepared a “Post-AFC Framework” that invests a majority of the remaining NEVI funding in community focused charging needs across the Commonwealth. As part of framework, PennDOT proposes focusing funding on Corridor Connections, Community Charging, Critical Investments, and EV Charging Workforce. To date, PennDOT has announced $59 million for charging projects that are currently completed, underway or conditionally awarded. Pennsylvania can compete for billions of dollars in federal funds across a wide range of federal grant programs through the BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). To help communities and organizations learn about these opportunities, PennDOT created a web page, www.penndot.pa.gov/IIJA, with details on federal grant opportunities to help municipalities, townships, and other community agencies with understanding the multiple transportation program grants that are available. The page includes Grant Alerts, guides, and links to important resources for local municipalities and organizations interested in pursuing federal funding opportunities. For more information on NEVI funds in Pennsylvania visit the PennDOT website. Information about state infrastructure in Pennsylvania, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Showcases World-Class Capabilities and Partnering Opportunities From small business insights to behind-the-scenes tours, Tobyhanna Army Depot’s (TYAD) annual Industry Day event turned opportunity into action, as over 200 participants from small and large businesses, government, the NEPA Alliance, and local chambers explored the cutting edge of military innovation and collaboration. From August 13-15, representatives from local, regional, and national businesses experienced TYAD’s extensive and continuously advancing capabilities and discovered partnership opportunities. Guests represented over 185 different organizations across 20 states and Washington D.C., and have traveled from locations as far as California, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama. Each day of the event provided something unique to attendees. The first day focused on small business contracting opportunities in the facilities, mission operations support, and environmental sectors. Chief of TYAD’s Strategic Initiatives Office (SIO) Katlin Edmunds, Director of TYAD’s C4ISR Directorate Jon Strzelec, and Small Business Professional from the Office of Small Business Programs at Aberdeen Proving Ground David Kern also offered insight during a comprehensive question and answer session designed to ensure attendees were equipped to pursue federal contract opportunities. TYAD Deputy Commander Robert Lantka helped close out day one of Industry Day by sharing the vision of where the depot is headed as an installation. “I want to thank you for your time and attention as we move toward supporting warfighter readiness. For Tobyhanna, we believe we have the most diverse customer base and the most diverse skillsets. Partnering with industry for things like training, increasing capacity, and growing capability are vitally important to us,” said Lantka. “One of the things we know as a Tobyhanna Team is we absolutely need partnership with industry and there are many different paths.” Among the day one attendees were Katy Radomski and Sierra Altenbach of Balz Inc., a veteran-owned small business specializing in freight transportation brokerage. They both said they left the event armed with a wealth knowledge previously unknown to them. “I found the experience to be exceptionally valuable. The presentations were informative, and the networking opportunities were unparalleled, providing meaningful connections with key industry professionals,” said Radomski. “I’m leaving the event feeling inspired and well-equipped to continue to grow at Balz Inc. I highly recommend it for any small business looking to expand their reach! Thank you to all the staff at Tobyhanna Army Depot for hosting such an incredible event,” said Altenbach. The event’s second day offered attendees detailed tours and briefs from various depot subject matter experts. Attendees applauded the depot for expanding the event’s tour segment and providing firsthand insights into the depot’s mission. The third and final day of the event was geared towards Public-Private Partnering (P3) opportunities, which are cooperative engagements between an organic product support provider and one or more private sector entities to perform defense-related work, use Department of Defense (DOD) facilities and equipment, or both, according to Edmunds. “Partnering is a cooperative effort, not a competitive engagement,” said Edmunds. Those who attended P3 briefings had the opportunity to learn about Tobyhanna’s capabilities and receive insights directly from depot leadership, who highlighted the key to nurturing winning relationships with small and large businesses alike. “One of the things I want to instill in these relationships is a high level of trust – you have to trust that we will protect your information and your interest as a business,” said Depot Commander Col. James L. Crocker. “And you have to trust that we’re providing quality products that you can get out in accordance with cost, schedule and performance to meet your requirements.” Networking events and breakout sessions were also part of the event. TYAD Chief of Staff Kristyn Smith provided overviews of Tobyhanna’s operations and business strategies, highlighting the impact that events such as Industry Day have on our nation’s warfighters. “A strong partnership between government and industry is essential to the success of our nation’s security. I can’t thank you enough for being here,” said Smith. TYAD experts briefed potential partners on the depot’s evolving capabilities and the new and ongoing partnership opportunities they enable. Senior Marketing Manager at The Tatitlek Corporation John Griggs was among those present during the week. He said that for him, the event was highly educational. “Tobyhanna Army Depot is constantly refreshing its approach so that it is actually meeting the needs of their customers. I learned a lot about what Tobyhanna does and how it operates, which is different from other bases,” said Griggs. “The Industry Day event was very educational and very well done.” Many attendees left Industry Day with a deeper appreciation for the significance of partnerships in enhancing warfighter readiness and achieving organizational objectives. Vice President for Federal and State Contracts and Business Development for The Judge Group Maria Batista said she found the opportunity to connect with others in the industry invaluable. “The networking with the other original equipment manufacturers that were here – that’s amazing. You can’t replace relationships,” said Batisita. “I previously worked for the U.S. Navy on the civilian side, and I know it’s very hard to get those relationships from the inside to the external public, and I think that this is a great way to learn the different players out there. I think this was a great event.” Col. Crocker celebrated the event’s success, highlighting the vital role of collaboration between the public and private sector. “We were honored to host so many important partners from across industry and take some time to see how we can help each other to support our nation’s warfighters,” said Col. Crocker. “This week was tremendously successful, and we look forward to continuing as the organic industrial base leader in establishing public-private partnerships, as they are key to our strategy to continue as the best value for our warfighters.” Logistics Management Specialist Christopher Lupole said he is enthusiastic about the limitless opportunities that come from bringing together many great minds in one place. “Every year we look forward to hosting this event as it allows us to bring the best defense minds from both the private and public sectors into one space,” said Lupole. “The networking and brainstorming opportunities are endless.” Both TYAD and its current and potential partners remain committed to exploring new collaboration avenues to deliver superior readiness and value to our nation’s warfighters. The SIO team encourages attendees to continue their involvement with Tobyhanna, both in the present and for years to come. “We were thrilled to see over 200 personnel register for the event this year, an increase from 2023. We hold our annual Industry Day event to strengthen our relationships with our private sector partners,” said Edmunds. “Strong, robust partnerships between government and industry are essential to the success of our nation’s security and economy.” Industry Day is a TOBY2035 Shape the Future and Connecting with the Community endeavor. TOBY2035, the depot’s long-range strategic plan, has four focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications. TOBY2035 aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post-production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,300 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need.
Fidelity Bank Employee Completes Advanced Banking School Jill M. Valentini, VP, Regional Retail Sales Manager at Fidelity Bank, recently completed coursework at the 2024 Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers) Advanced School of Banking, on July 29, 2024. Valentini has been with Fidelity Bank for 17 years. Her career is a true success story within the branch banking network. She started at Fidelity as a Teller Services Supervisor and has continued to rise through the branch network as an Assistant Branch Manager and most recently the Retail Branch Manager of Fidelity’s largest office in Dunmore, Pa. Her responsibilities include leading the Retail team to continued success and providing her knowledge and guidance to the managers and branch bankers in the continuous enhancement of the client experience. Jill attended Penn State University and has completed numerous continuing educational courses with the American Institute of Banking, as well as the Pennsylvania American Bankers Association. She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program and sat on Leadership Lackawanna’s Board of Directors as Chair. She was a Board Member of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and currently sits on the Board of Dress for Success Lackawanna, along with the Chamber’s affiliate, Metro Actions Board. She is current chair of the Chambers Membership Committee, and Women’s Network Luncheon Committee. PA Bankers’ Advanced School of Banking is a three-year program that teaches financial services knowledge and skills and paves the road for participants to become leaders at any level within their organization. The curriculum provides a greater understanding of the multiple banking disciplines and how those disciplines work together within the bank. It is analogous to 200-, 300- and 400-level college course study.
Army leaders visit Tobyhanna, praise opportunities for future growth Army Materiel Command leaders reported for duty at Tobyhanna Army Depot this week, seeing firsthand how the depot is leading the organic industrial base with cutting-edge modernization initiatives, new workload opportunities and innovative approaches to organization development. Army Materiel Command Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commander Lt. Gen. Christopher O. Mohan and U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV visited TYAD to personally experience the DOD’s premier provider of logistics and readiness to the joint warfighter. TYAD Commander Col. James L. Crocker led the leaders on an extensive tour of the depot’s state-of-the-art facilities where they observed Tobyhanna’s resilient workforce in action and heard plans for future innovation, building upon the $1 billion already invested in Tobyhanna’s facilities. To meet the ever-changing demands of the modern force, TYAD continues to embrace new innovations and technologies. Collaboration with our counterparts at AMC and CECOM is vital as the depot is experiencing immense growth in missions like radar, microelectronics, satellite communications, and cable fabrication. Mohan underscored the OIB’s substantial impact on the DOD. “The expeditionary capability of the OIB is extremely powerful,” he said. “We are deeply intwined in the efforts of the Army, as we penetrate to the most tactical level.” Mohan’s visit to TYAD’s Engineering Analysis and Solutions Lab demonstrated the organization’s emerging organic microelectronics capabilities, a cornerstone of depot modernization efforts. As the Army focuses on more sophisticated and compact electronic systems, the ability to tackle this crucial workload in-house mitigates supply chain risks and reduces reliance on foreign adversaries. Crocker touted TYAD’s new process to repair the KGV-310B card for the Secure, Mobile, Anti-Jam, Reliable, Tactical Terminal. Depot artisans can repair the card for just $5,000 and within a few days, resulting in a $4.7 million cost savings for the Army and increased readiness for warfighters worldwide. The tour also highlighted Tobyhanna’s radar mission, where plans are underway to expand the organization’s already vast radar campus. The 320,000 square foot range leverages TYAD’s unique geographical location in the heart of the Pocono Mountains and boasts near and far field-testing ranges and multiple radomes for year-round testing that are free from 5G interference — rivaling the facilities of original equipment manufacturers across the private sector and setting a new standard for excellence in logistics and support. The upcoming modernization project will invest nearly $60 million into depot facilities, expanding precision radar testing capacity and increasing capabilities for essential equipment used by warfighters across the DOD. This significant investment in infrastructure aims to bolster Tobyhanna’s ability to accommodate increasing demands for radar maintenance for joint warfighters, according to Crocker. “TYAD is postured to support additional sustainment, overhaul, testing, and integration of radars across the military services — and our radar campus modernization will take our already incredible facilities to new heights,” he said. TYAD also showcased human capital initiatives such as its radar technology center. This bold new approach to readiness support consolidates military equipment by technology commonality, instead of by individual system — smashing organizational silos, evolving troubleshooting techniques and enabling floor personnel to expand their technical skill set across a variety of platforms. The radar technology center benefits others, as well. Support personnel are co-located, which increases collaboration, emboldens point-of-use problem-solving, and creates increased opportunities for relationship building. Warfighters and customers alike benefit from increased efficiencies all around. Finally, Tobyhanna’s depot maintenance forward effort was briefed to Mohan and Turinetti. Expert depot forward support teams can deploy in just 24 hours to meet urgent DOD requirement such as on-site depot level maintenance, site surveys and assessments, system fielding, modification and upgrades. TYAD is executing missions in 30 countries, with 27 fixed locations across the world. These forward repair activities allow TYAD to play a key role the ability to support Army requirements around the globe using organic capability that optimize regional maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. Before his departure, Mohan presided over an awards ceremony, presenting ceremonial coins to several members of the workforce. James Harris, Brandon Murnock, Michael Sherin and Ricky Saunders of the Production Engineering Directorate and Eric Silvi of the C4ISR Directorate were recognized for their exceptional contributions to microelectronics, radar and U.S. Armed Forces initiatives in the European theater. The visit from senior leaders energized TYAD leadership and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring C5ISR readiness on a global scale. TYAD Deputy Commander Robert L Lantka emphasized the importance of Mohan and Turinetti’s visit. “We appreciate the opportunity to highlight Tobyhanna’s distinctive capabilities and how they support Army, DOD, and partner nation readiness needs.” Crocker enthusiastically agreed, noting that providing stellar service to the joint warfighter requires support from higher headquarters. “As we progress with our holistic modernization efforts, the guidance and support of leaders like Lt. Gen. Mohan and Maj. Gen. Turinetti will be instrumental in Team Tobyhanna achieving our goals of being the best value for the joint warfighter,” he said. Engagements with senior Army leaders are key to the success of TYAD’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035. The plan, which has four focus areas — Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications — aims to posture the depot to meet the future needs of the joint warfighter on a multidomain battlefield. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or C5ISR, systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,300 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need.
Marywood University Graduate Student Creates Humor Therapy Fund As a graduate student at Marywood University working toward a Master of Arts degree in Communication Arts in 2005, Jeannine Luby worked with the Scranton Area Community Foundation (SAF) to create the Humor Therapy Fund…a donor-advised fund to disperse annual grants to area nonprofits with a plan to promote therapeutic laughter and humor in the community. The recipient of this year’s Humor Therapy Fund grant–the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania–used the funding to bring the Pittsburgh duo of Josh Verbanets and Gab Bonesso from Pittsburgh to perform their “Josh and Gab Show” in July. About 50 summer camp participants at the Club enjoyed the interactive musical comedy show. Kids danced to the original songs written and performed by Josh and Gab that highlighted common situations that kids encounter in which they can choose kindness and stand up to bullies. They also listened to Gab’s stories from childhood highlighting the importance of standing up for one another and shared their own ideas on kindness as well. Josh and Gab share their musical comedy program at school assemblies and community programs throughout Pennsylvania year-round. While in Scranton, Gab Bonesso took the opportunity to give back to the Fund that helped support her and Josh Verbanets. She presented Jeannine with a $100 check for the Humor Therapy Fund. The money donated came from a portion of the sales of her recent stand-up comedy album “Tragicomedian.” (For more information on Josh and Gab: https://www.joshandgab.com/ )
Providence Engineering Announces Leadership Transition Providence Engineering, a leading provider of building engineering services, is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition. Effective January 2025, David Bernhardt, PE, the current President and CEO, will maintain the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while Dana Ziegler, PE, will be promoted to President. Leadership Transition Reflects Strength from Within David Bernhardt, PE, has been an integral part of Providence Engineering for many years, joining the firm in 2003, becoming an owner in 2009, and most recently serving as President and CEO since 2015. Under his guidance, the company has expanded its service offerings, strengthened its market position, and transitioned to a 100% employee-owned company. As David continues in the role of CEO, he will provide strategic oversight and visionary leadership for the company. David commented, “I am excited to continue driving Providence Engineering’s strategic vision and collaborating with my colleague and friend, Dana Ziegler. When Dana takes over as President in January, he will be the third President in our firm’s history. This promotion is a testament to his management and leadership skills and to the operational strength of our employee-owned company structure. I am confident that Dana’s leadership, as President, will not only strengthen and expand our ability to deliver dependable and innovative solutions to our clients, but will also provide an increasingly rewarding workplace for our employee owners.” Dana Ziegler, PE, who has been with Providence Engineering in varying capacities for over 14 years, brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture to his new role as President. Dana’s promotion from within the organization is a clear indication of Providence Engineering’s commitment to nurturing talent and recognizing the achievements of its team members. Dana earned his Bachelor of Science in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology from The Pennsylvania State University, and before returning to Providence in 2014, he was Vice President of Engineering and Operations at his family’s construction firm. Dana expressed his enthusiasm, “I am excited and honored to step into the role of President at Providence Engineering. Having grown within this remarkable company, I am deeply committed to our values and mission. We have always strived to be the engineer of choice, and I look forward to working closely with our talented team to continue delivering comprehensive building engineering solutions to our clients.” A 100% Employee-Owned Company One of Providence Engineering’s distinguishing features is its 100% employee-owned structure. This ownership model fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared success. Each employee-owner is invested in the company’s long-term prosperity, ensuring a high level of dedication and engagement. This structure not only benefits the employee-owners but also enhances the service quality provided to clients. For More Information As we progress through the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, please follow the Providence Engineering social media channels to keep updated on this exciting leadership transition and learn more about Providence’s third President, Dana Ziegler.
Marywood Students Nominated for Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy A group of students in Marywood University’s Multimedia Communication program have been nominated for a student Emmy Award in the Mid-Atlantic Region’s College/University Student Production Live Sporting Event/Game category. The student awards program is conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The students were nominated for their work in sports media production, and the entry being considered is “Marywood University Pacers Basketball.” The team of students involved includes: Vincent Goldschmidt, Announcer; Felix Lettini, Technical Director; Soren Svanson, Camera; Corey Iyoob, Reporter; Cameron Gorman, Audio; Bernard Roedel, Videographer/Editor; Benjamin Galko, Camera, and John Downey, Sportscaster. The students are advised by Jim Donnelly, Assistant Coordinator of Broadcast Operations. Winners will be announced on September 21 at the Wyndham Grand in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Wright Center Shines Light on Substance Use Disorder The Wright Center agrees that most of us know someone who has struggled with substance use disorder. For too many people, it’s a battle that ends in tragedy. Clearly, we need every possible resource we can muster to fight this ever-evolving public health crisis that affects our communities, and awareness campaigns like International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) play a prominent role. Observed every Aug. 31, IOAD not only raises awareness about overdose but also promotes evidence-based overdose prevention measures and drug policy. More poignantly, it also recognizes the overwhelming grief felt by the families and friends of those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to an overdose. The theme of this year’s IOAD is “Together we can,” which illustrates the power of communities to stand together and lessen one of the world’s biggest public health crises through collective action. It’s a great, hopeful message. The Wright Center for Community Health works every day to deliver hope to the individuals and families touched by substance use disorder and overdoses. Our Pennsylvania-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence has been one of the local leaders in providing community-based substance use disorder treatment since 2016 when it was among the 45 flagship centers named by the state. Patients qualify for Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence care if they have an opioid use disorder, have co-occurring behavioral/substance misuse and physical health conditions, require assistance navigating the health care system, and need guidance to stay engaged in treatment in order to avoid relapse. Services are offered regardless of the patient’s insurance status or ability to pay, with a sliding-fee discount program available to those who qualify. Unlike a traditional inpatient rehabilitation facility, we offer an outpatient services model that allows patients to receive exceptional care while attending to the other aspects of their lives. We employ a “whole-patient” philosophy centered around medications for opiate use disorder, a truly innovative concept that combines medical and social supports to guide an individual on their recovery journey. Patients are cared for by a first-rate and highly committed team of recovery and behavioral health specialists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, certified recovery specialists, and medical providers, who collaborate closely to counsel and support individuals coping with a variety of substance use disorders – not just opioids, but also alcohol, cocaine, and other addictive drugs. We also help them find stable housing, navigate insurance barriers, and repair family and community relationships. The Wright Center for Community Health also works to reduce opioid-related deaths and has been approved as a Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program (POPP) site. Through this program, The Wright Center distributes naloxone kits and drug-checking strips to individuals in the event they experience an emergency with a family member, friend, or in the community. Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is free to the community at any of our regional community health centers. We’re also very proud of our Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) Program, which recently received a $62,000 grant from the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department to expand its services. The grant came via the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Services block grant, which the state allocated to the city’s health department for distribution. Healthy MOMS, co-founded by The Wright Center in 2018 and modeled after a program in Ohio, is a multi-agency effort that assists pregnant women and new mothers in achieving and maintaining sobriety. It was first launched in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties but now serves women and their families throughout much of Northeast Pennsylvania. To date, the program has served more than 500 mothers and 282 babies. Participants are offered blanket services that include medications for opiate use disorder and other addiction services, counseling, primary health care, OB-GYN care, parenting tips, legal advice, and other forms of support. Based on the available evidence, mothers who join Healthy MOMS and participate in recovery services well before their delivery dates are less likely to give birth to babies who experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a potentially painful and costly medical condition caused when a newborn withdrawal from opioids or other drugs that the baby had been exposed to in the womb. We see addiction as a lifelong disease requiring a long-term commitment to recovery. Rest assured, we’ll continue improving upon that commitment in the years ahead. Together, we can save and enhance the lives of many people in our communities.
