Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Interns on National Intern Day Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD), in recognition of National Intern Day, an observance created to celebrate future leaders, highlighted depot employees who joined Team Tobyhanna through internship programs on July 25. TYAD’s Pathways Program offers federal employment opportunities for students nearing graduation or who have recently graduated. Current students can participate in the internship program for temporary summer jobs while recent graduates can apply for permanent jobs at Tobyhanna. Amira Chhaiouine, Florence Annor, and Samantha Suarez each come to TYAD through a relationship with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Tobyhanna’s 12 yearlong collaboration has allowed students to seize the opportunity to get hands-on experience in a work environment during a summer program with TYAD. The internship provides undergraduates the opportunity to learn the processes and operations the depot performs on a daily basis to meet the needs of America’s warfighters. Chhaiouine majors in Cyber Security at RIT. A native of Bel Air, Maryland, her interest in working with technical systems drew her to the program. She found her way to TYAD after talking with a depot attendee at a university career fair. Having completed previous internships in the private sector, she viewed this as a great opportunity to see what life is like working for the federal government. Chhaiouine has been working as a member of the Information Management Division’s Cyber Security Branch where she has been learning the many process that go into keeping TYAD secure. Part of her internship has also included the opportunity to developmentally spend two weeks in the depot’s Network Operations Branch, another area in which she said she has some knowledge and interest in. Chhaiouine said it has been encouraging to see that she’s been able to apply much of what she’s learned at RIT to the work she performs at TYAD. “I have been able to use a lot of the skills that I’ve learned at my school which is great and also learn other things that I had never heard of,” said Chhaiouine. “It has been great for me to compare the class experiences and the real-world experiences, especially on the federal side of things.” Chhaiouine lauded the team she has had the opportunity to work with, saying they’ve been very welcoming, helpful, and informative. “I have been shadowing what everybody is doing almost every day. If they work on something specific, they will just add me their communication channels and will also provide me with helpful examples. It is a great opportunity to learn more,” said Chhaiouine. “The people are very good. I really like my team.” Cyber Security Enterprise Branch Chief Sean Hannan said Chhaiouine has been a tremendous value to the team during her time at TYAD so far. “Amira has been an invaluable asset to the cyber operations team during her time at Tobyhanna as an intern. Her incredible intelligence along with a fresh and innovative outlook has greatly assisted the team in completing and improving a number of systems and mission requirements,” said Hannan. “With a friendly, outgoing personality, she has been a welcome addition to our team.” Chhaiouine said that although she intends to keep her options open, her experiences at TYAD have opened her eyes to new possibilities and will consider returning to federal service upon graduation. Annor, a Business major at RIT, spends her days at TYAD supporting the Field Logistics Support (FLS) directorate. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, she also found her way to TYAD through a conversation she had at the university career fair. Annor’s father, who works as a truck driver, encouraged her become independent at a young age and introduced her to the business side of his operations, which inspired her to grow up and pursue her field of study. With other future aspirations in mind, such as becoming a working mother and maintaining a healthy work life balance, she said she felt the business world would be perfect for her. At RIT, Annor worked for a program called “Veterans Upward Bound,” which assists veterans and military service members with enrolling in school. Outside of school, she’s also had friends and family alike enlist in the Armed Forces. She credited these experiences with helping her connect with TYAD’s mission. “The fact that when you make that oath and you sign your name on the line, you’re giving up your family, you’re giving up your friends, you’re giving up seeing your children grow, you’re giving up all of these different things to go and serve the country,” said Annor. “It is an honorable thing. I see the noble cause that is happening and I want to support that.” That connection makes supporting depot operations and our Nation’s warfighters impactful for Annor. “My favorite thing about working at Tobyhanna is understanding and seeing the impact of what I’m doing,” said Annor. “Even if it may seem small, it really plays into the entire operation of depot functions.” Annor has been assisting the FLS directorate with data work, such as data maintenance and data calls, and administrative work when needed. Being that much of her directorate performs their work outside the continental United States, she said she finds the work to be unique and interesting. Tessa Zantowsky serves as a Management Analyst within the FLS directorate. She said Annor has already helped improve processes in her short time assisting the team. “Florence has been instrumental in assisting us with maintaining high quality internal workforce data as well as furthering the way we view and use that data to make better business decisions,” said Zantowsky. “She has also assisted in the creation and fine tuning of the standard operating procedures used by our directorate administrative staff.” Annor she said she really appreciates the hands-on nature of the internship. “Yes, you can sit in a classroom and gain much information. The classroom has helped me understand many concepts, but ultimately it is the hands-on work that has really helped me understand what I’m doing,” said Annor. “I feel like I’ve learned something here.” Michael Monroe serves as Chief of the Regional Support Center Management Division within the FLS directorate. He first met Annor at the NTID career fair and said he feels lucky to work with her at TYAD. “I was fortunate last fall, as a Tobyhanna representative visiting the NTID, to have the honor of meeting with and interviewing Florence. Her professional and academic qualities were immediately evident, and it was clear that she was someone that we wanted to intern with our team,” said Monroe. “Having recently been reassigned within the FLS directorate, I was very pleased to learn that I now have the opportunity to work with her directly. It is clear from her reputation, that she has been making a significant and positive impact within our organization.” Joseph Fantanarosa serves the Director of the FLS directorate. He said Annor’s ability to learn quickly has made her an asset to the team and hopes to see her at TYAD in summers to come. “It was a pleasure having Florence here in FLS this summer. She is extremely intelligent and quick to learn,” said Fantanarosa. “We can only hope she is able to come back next summer!” Annor said upon obtaining her degree, she intends to enter the workforce and venture into supply chain management, another influence she credited to her father. She added that she too will keep the federal government in mind when considering employment and is grateful for how working at TYAD taught her to be a true professional. Suarez currently studies Civil Engineering at RIT and is spending her summer supporting the Site Preparation & Baseband Engineering Branch within TYAD’s Production Engineering directorate. Originally from Florida, she relocated to Plano, Texas before enrolling at the university in upstate New York. Suarez said that since she was young, she has always been fascinated by how things work. She said that taking things apart and piecing them back together brings her a lot of satisfaction and joy. When it came time to decide what she wanted to study, engineering felt like a no brainer. After earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Aided Drafting, she felt confident in her engineering abilities. This led her to search for opportunities that would provide her with real world, hands-on experience. Although not initially aware of career options within the federal government, a conversation at a career fair changed all of that. Suarez said that her time working at TYAD has left a positive mark on her professional aspirations. “Tobyhanna has made a huge impact on me. There have been so many opportunities and you can learn anything here in a safe environment,” said Suarez. “I’ve been shown many new things and have had things explained to me. “I don’t want to leave working. I will love to continue work at Tobyhanna.” Suarez said Tobyhanna has exposed her to a new side of engineering. One day she may be working on a radar, the next inside a radome, and the next supporting digging operations at various sites. Additionally, she has spent time shadowing some mechanical engineering processes to broaden her skillset. She credited the team she works with for making the experience as informative and educational as it has been. “It doesn’t matter if I’m deaf or not. The team is just so nice and happy and willing to communicate with me. I feel like they treat me as a human and that makes me feel great,” said Suarez. “We just get together, communicate with each other, and get the work done. It gives me the motivation to want to learn more and get more from them.” Christopher Sheerer serves as Chief of the Site Preparation & Baseband Engineering Branch. He said that from day one Suarez has been enthusiastic about her work, which she performs with much pride. “Samantha shows a level of intensity that I haven’t seen in an intern in many years. She eagerly and fearlessly—but not recklessly—gets involved in the heavy construction projects that the team is involved in,” said Sheerer. “She is always asking great questions and confidently offers suggestions when she recognizes the possibility of alternate means of doing the work.” Suarez said that she’s overcome many hurdles in life and the drive to keep going is born out of strong will and determination. “Don’t fear,” said Suarez. “At least you try.” Following graduation, Suarez said she plans to continue with graduate studies and will certainly keep the federal government in mind when it comes time for her to consider employment opportunities.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Hosts Collaborative Summit Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) gathered data experts from across the country on July 23-25 where they explored how data can enhance the readiness and efficiency of the warfighter at the Army Materiel Command Data and Analytics Summit. The summit provided a platform for knowledge sharing, skill development and forward planning. Over 40 presenters covered key topics like artificial intelligence, governance, dashboard development, human capital, data architecture and application development. There were over 160 in-person attendees and another 150 attendees who joined remotely, according to Dr. Matthew Raup of TYAD’s Business Intelligence Team. “The event was a great way to network with experts across the organization and to build relationships that will promote future collaboration within the rapidly changing data and analytics environment,” said Raup. Lt. Gen. Christopher Mohan, AMC deputy commanding general and acting commander, offered remarks virtually on the summit’s first day, challenging the audience to “think outside the box” as they develop solutions that will have lasting impacts on the Army. “It is the dawn of a new era. We need to think differently about the way we utilize data,” Mohan emphasized. “Opportunity is knocking for AMC.” AMC is at the forefront of utilizing data analytics to enhance operational readiness for the military and has a comprehensive data and analytics plan; its foundation is the embedding of data in workplace cultures across the entire command. AMC’s Chief Data and Analytics Officer Dr. Christopher Hill responded to Mohan’s call to action saying, “I guarantee that the AMC enterprise will be well postured to meet this intent.” The event offered two paths for attendees. The leadership track focused on governance of data analytics, implementation and developing standards for data maturity. The technical track provided insight on an array of related topics including data security, dashboard and app development and business analytics. Samantha Hill Tyler works at Headquarters AMC and reports on data initiatives across the command. She attended the event to experience AMC’s data-driven culture firsthand and felt the trip was more than worthwhile. “The summit was an excellent opportunity to collaborate and see innovations from across the AMC enterprise,” she said. A highly anticipated component of the summit was the dashboard and application showcase and contest. This dynamic session allowed contributors to demonstrate tools they have developed and their real-world impact. Participants voted for their favorite presentations in each category. Sydney Nwakanma and Todd Diskey of Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command won the Dashboard Innovation Award (non-Power BI). Their team uses Tableau to create dashboards at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, that allow senior leaders to compare a variety of real-time data simultaneously. “The team we work with is only about a year old,” said Nwakanma. “I am hoping to get some inspiration from the showcase entries and see how others are utilizing tools and products.” Depot leadership acknowledges the value of effective use of data analytics for efficient resource management and making data-driven decisions. TYAD’s business intelligence personnel led recent efforts to roll out easy-to-understand dashboards throughout the depot, enabling the identification of challenges in real time and the opportunity to quickly to resolve them. In his remarks on the final day of the summit, TYAD Commander Col. James L. Crocker noted that data is the cornerstone of the depot. “Leveraging the power of data allows us to make informed decisions and maintain our competitive edge,” Crocker added. “Tobyhanna looks forward to continued partnership with colleagues across the enterprise as AMC continues to lead the way in data analytics and improving readiness across the DOD.”
Tobyhanna Army Depot Acknowledges Contributions of Veteran Workforce According to Tobyhanna Army Depot and the Department of Labor, an estimated 200,000 military members retire or separate from the U.S. Armed Forces every year. Their transition into civilian life can be daunting, especially regarding employment. In 2017, Marine Corps veteran Dan Caporale established National Hire a Veteran Day. Observed annually on July 25, this day serves as a call to action for employers to recruit and hire veterans. Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) proudly employs hundreds of veterans from all branches of service. The depot’s veteran population comprises nearly a quarter of its workforce. National Hire a Vet Day is an opportunity to highlight the unique skillsets that veterans bring to the workplace. U.S. Army veteran Paul DePrimo currently serves as a Lead Training Administrator at TYAD. Inspired by his father, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, DePrimo enlisted in the Army Reserves at age 17 for six years. After a brief break in service, he reenlisted into the Pennsylvania National Guard and later deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. DePrimo retired from the guard in 2013 with 22 years of service. “The military influences discipline, dedication, and drive like no other. The training and experiences you endure while serving shape you into a dependable, hardworking, punctual, and enthusiastic leader,” he added. DePrimo recalls that the experiences he had overseas were some of the best and worst times of his life. “Our unit was task organized under the 1st Calvary Division for the first two months and then we were reassigned into the 89th Military Police Brigade for the remaining 12 months. Prior to Iraq, we transitioned from tankers into a military police company. Stationed at a base known as Camp Slayer, we worked out of what was known as Sector Control Point-Baghdad and worked directly for the Iraq Survey Group. As a senior NCO, I filled the role of a battle captain for the duration of the tour. Our mission was searching for weapons of mass destruction,” he said. After many years in the private sector, DePrimo decided to pursue a career at TYAD because he missed being a part of an Army team. He has continued to thrive at the depot. Within the first six months of his employment, he was promoted to a supervisory position. His leadership style is rooted in the core values of the Army: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. “I love the Army and working here as a civilian gives me a great sense of pride,” he added. “As a past warfighter, my main focus is to take care of our current warfighters and the Department of the Army Civilians who supports them.” U.S. Navy veteran Jennifer Caldero serves as a Logistics Management Specialist in TYAD’s Strategic Initiatives Office. Caldero enlisted after completing the Navy ROTC program in high school. She saw this as an opportunity to travel the world and focus on professional development. “I grew up in Oklahoma, so I wanted to see the ocean,” she joked. “I traveled via Navy ship to eight different countries. I’ve been all around the world and to multiple places in the United States.” Caldero served for a total of eight years – six active duty and two as a reservist. She then utilized the GI Bill to obtain her bachelor’s degree before continuing to complete her MBA in 2023, noting that TYAD’s flexible and consistent schedule helped her manage her educational pursuits. “Veterans often bring with them a sense of duty, integrity, and respect for others,” added Caldero. “These values can help shape a positive and ethical corporate culture, reinforcing the importance of integrity, teamwork, and respect within the organization.” A positive, healthy culture is a priority at TYAD. The depot’s Employee Wellness Center (EWC) offers programs intended to foster employees’ growth and well-being. The EWC recently implemented the Veterans Peer Support Group, which meets weekly to provide a space where veterans can discuss their challenges in a confidential environment. “When discussing how to improve our culture, we heard a common theme that our veteran population felt disconnected and disengaged. We want veterans to build connections and feel the same unity they felt while serving,” said EWC Chief Ricardo Horn. Patrick Hart, a painter in the Systems Integration and Support Directorate and veteran, says the weekly group is beneficial. “A Veterans Peer Support Group is a much-needed program. Having other veterans around and knowing who they are helps us transition from military life to civilian,” he said. Veterans interested in future career opportunities with Team Tobyhanna can apply through USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Hosts Army Senior Leader Visit Tobyhanna Army Depot discussed the needs of the future force during an Army senior leader’s visit. Matthew Sannito, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Army G-4, visited Tobyhanna on June 25 to witness the organization’s advanced capabilities, world-class facilities, and ongoing modernization efforts, highlighting the depot’s pivotal role providing C5ISR readiness for the joint warfighter. Sannito and the team at the Army G-4 develop, implement, and oversee Army strategy, policy, plans, and programming for logistics and sustainment. Depot Commander Col. James L. Crocker, Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Riggs, and Chief of Staff Kristyn K. Smith hosted Sannito’s inaugural visit to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest regional employer. After an overview briefing outlining the depot’s mission and business profile, Col. Crocker facilitated a comprehensive tour for Sannito, shining a spotlight on the depot’s modernized facilities and skilled workforce – all poised to meet the needs of the modern warfighter. “The Tobyhanna Army Depot of 2024 has greatly evolved since our beginnings in 1953. Our workload profile is changing, and we are seeing immense growth in emerging missions like microelectronics, satellite communications, cable fabrication, and radars,” said Col. Crocker. “A proactive modernization strategy set us up for success today, and we will continue building towards tomorrow.” Tobyhanna’s expansive radar campus was a focal point of the tour, which also revealed plans for a dramatic modernization in the near future. The radar campus expansion project, which will invest upwards of $60 million into depot facilities, will expand radar testing capacity as well as increase capabilities for essential equipment used by warfighters across the Department of Defense (DoD). As the DoD’s radar center of excellence, the depot supports current DoD radars in sustainment as well as legacy systems for partner nations. Personnel in the depot’s Strategic Initiatives Office also support emerging warfighter requirements prior to and during the transition to sustainment. The tour highlighted Tobyhanna’s innovative approach to maintenance, including the organization’s radar-centric technology center, which consolidates technological commonalities in a single workspace. Co-locating personnel by technology (instead of individual system) removes functional silos, increases skills of maintenance personnel, and heightens cross-organizational collaboration opportunities. Challenges faced across the Army enterprise, such as supply chain management and obsolescence were also topics of discussion along the tour route. Sannito had the opportunity to see the depot’s emerging microelectronics capability; a novel facility that creates a sustainment strategy for circuit cards lacking support from the original equipment manufacturer or have long lead times. Vital military assets, such as SINCGARS radios, Harris radios, and the AN/TPQ53 will have heightened readiness – all thanks to Tobyhanna’s future-focused readiness strategy. “This new capability can reduce the lead time for critical components from years to mere weeks,” Crocker said. Sannito emphasized the importance of bridging the communication gap between depots and decision makers. “The value of these visits is to get people into the operations and organizations where they don’t have visibility. People advocating for resources may not have a full operational understanding to effectively articulate needs to decision makers,” said Sannito. “It’s all about readiness at the end of the day,” adding that Tobyhanna plays an important role within the DoD. “The work you do here at Tobyhanna Army Depot drives down risk and sustains readiness.” Crocker noted the benefits of engaging with Army officials in his remarks closing out the visit. “Educating senior Army leaders about the vast capabilities of the depot and the challenges we face will only result in better decision making for the entire organic industrial base.” Smith agreed. “Tobyhanna has a dynamic, multifaceted mission, which results in increased readiness for warfighters facing a multi-domain battlefield. The support of leaders across the Army is integral to the success of not only the depot, but the DoD overall. We are thankful for engaged advocates like Mr. Sannito.”
Tobyhanna Army Depot Celebrates Leadership Lackawanna Graduates Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is celebrating three new graduates of Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program. Established in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna is an affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce which aims to cultivate community leadership and professional development for individuals who live or work in Lackawanna County in Pennsylvania. Over a ten-month course, participants in the Core Program gather once a month for leadership development training with a variety of local professionals and specialists. In addition to monthly training, participants spend additional time out of class working on community projects that benefit local non-profit organizations. This year’s TYAD graduates are Electrician Scott Burti, Organizational Development Specialist Tara Floyd, and IT Project Manager Shaun Young. Each graduate expressed gratitude for the opportunity to network with individuals from other organizations and gain a broader perspective on the needs of the local community. Floyd noted that the unique nature of the Core Program led to her sending in her application. “I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from employees on their experience in the program,” Floyd said. “I like that the program combined monthly sessions learning about leadership principles with an applied project in the community.” Burti said the goal of both professional and personal growth are key to the program’s successes. “I met a group of extraordinary individuals whom I might not have crossed paths with otherwise and created lasting relationships,” Burti said. “Professionally, I gained more project management experience, honed my leadership skills, and have an increased confidence in my future impact to TYAD.” Throughout the program, each participant worked with other area professionals on projects across Lackawanna County that positively impacted local groups and organizations. Young and Burti worked in the same project group. The group worked on a renovation project for the Catherine McCauley Center whose mission is to serve those experiencing homelessness with housing programs, case management, and support services. “For this project, we renovated two rooms in the group home to create an inclusive and dignified space for families to remain together during a crisis,” Young said. “This program has made me more aware of the programs and efforts going on in my community, provided the opportunity to meet new members of my community, and contribute to my community.” “The home we undertook was in Scranton and served women and children experiencing homelessness,” Burti said. “We renovated two spaces, one for children and the other for teens. Both rooms are now freshly painted and furnished with new flooring throughout. They’re welcoming spaces where younger residents can find comfort while in transition.” Floyd’s group worked on creating a fitness space for Outreach – Center for Community Resources in Scranton. Outreach offers workforce and family development programs to support individuals and families facing some of life’s challenges. “Our team’s project was to provide a fitness center in their new building for adolescents and young adults to build healthy life frameworks,” Floyd said. “The team raised over $10,000 for the project and was able to purchase premium fitness equipment for the center.” All three participants encourage other members of Team Tobyhanna who may be interested in strengthening their leadership skills, networks, and connections to their community to participate in Leadership Lackawanna. “I highly encourage anyone interested in developing leadership skills and competencies to participate in the Leadership Lackawanna Core Program,” Floyd said. “The program allows for plenty of networking opportunities, learning about the local region and community, and executing a community service project to give back to individuals and support nonprofits in the area.” Young spoke highly of the skills strengthened by the program. “It is an opportunity to be more involved in your community while developing your own personal growth, potentially even becoming an active leader in your community,” Young said. “You will develop leadership, interpersonal, and project management skills that you can use professionally and personally.” Burti echoed the sentiments of both of his TYAD colleagues. “If you’re looking to grow professionally and/or personally, this program is for you,” Burti said. “The program will challenge you to get you outside of your comfort zone where true growth happens. Sign up and don’t look back!”
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Employees of the Quarter Every quarter, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) recognizes one junior and one senior member of its world-class workforce with an Employee of the Quarter (EoQ) award. Great candidates are easy to come by as there are many talented and hard-working artisans supporting TYAD’s vast and varied missions. For the 2nd Quarter of FY24, it is Michael Benner of the Installation Services directorate and Michael Rudick of the Production Engineering directorate receiving the honors respectively. Benner joined Team Tobyhanna as a firefighter in October 2020. He began his career in 2004, serving as a volunteer firefighter alongside his uncle and two cousins near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He earned a Fire Science degree from Harrisburg Area Community College, where he lived in a firehouse opposed to a traditional dorm. A native of Blakeslee, PA, he also served as a police officer with the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and an emergency medical technician with Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services. Benner is no stranger to the United States Army and its values as he joined the Army component of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 2012. One of the Army core values, “selfless service,” goes hand-in-hand with the type of work he performs on a daily basis. He said that helping people is something he feels naturally compelled to do. “It’s something that I’ve always done,” said Benner. “I’m very familiar with the Army values and selfless service. I feel like everybody should have these values and help their fellow persons.” Daryl Gebhardt serves as Chief of the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Branch. He lauded Benner for his commitment to team cohesion and his strong sense of duty and dedication. “Firefighter Benner exemplifies selfless service through his unwavering commitment to the Army values. He consistently prioritizes the needs of others above his own, demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort and convenience for the greater good,” said Gebhardt. “Whether it’s volunteering for challenging assignments, offering support to fellow firefighters, or going above and beyond to assist the community, Mr. Benner’s actions reflect a deep sense of duty and dedication. His selfless service not only enhances team cohesion and morale but also strengthens the overall effectiveness for the F&ES Branch.” Benner recently led a small team tasked with developing the F&ES Branch’s Box Alarms, a system that ensures a structured and standardized response posture when dealing with emergencies. To do so, Benner met with mutual aid partners in the counties surrounding TYAD to develop a better understanding of what emergency response capabilities they were prepared to provide. He worked with them to ensure they knew exactly what was expected of them should the alarm rise to their level. The partnership works both ways so that TYAD’s emergency responders may also be dispatched should an emergency occur outside the gates of the installation. Gebhardt added that Benner’s efforts have made a lasting impact on the F&ES Branch’s capabilities. “Implementing Box Alarms under firefighter Benner’s leadership streamlined resource deployment, improving response efficiency. His initiative set a precedent, inspiring others to adopt similar structured approaches,” said Gebhardt. “By optimizing response protocols, Mr. Benner exemplified proactive leadership, enhancing overall departmental productivity. His innovative strategies not only expedited emergency responses but also fostered a culture of excellence. His commitment to efficiency sets a standard for operational effectiveness within the department, while his dedication to continuous improvement drives ongoing enhancements, ensuring sustained efficiency in emergency response.” Benner said he was grateful that leadership within the F&ES branch provided him the opportunity to lead a project so early into his depot career. “The fire department is really great in letting junior members really take projects and run with them,” said Benner. “When I noticed the alarm system needed to be revamped worked on, I presented it to the chief and he gave me the full power to run with it. Strong teamwork is a concept vital to the job of a firefighter. Benner credited the individuals he worked with on the project for its success. “The team always works better when everybody puts the team ahead of themselves. Everybody benefits from it. If the team is winning, everybody is winning,” said Benner. “The people I work with, I feel like we’re all on the same page. They made it easy to take the lead because they knew what to do and when to do it. Rudick is being recognized for his efforts dealing with the AN/TPQ-53, a multi-mission radar system, and the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder system. When Army leadership needed a quick response for the evaluation of a AN/TPQ-53, he immediately took the lead to perform the necessary testing and provide a detailed report ahead of the requested deadline. Knowing they would be required to install and upgrade the AN/TPQ-53 system software, Rudick earned his CompTIA Security+ and Network+ certificates. Getting out ahead of this requirement was critical to TYAD being able to complete the AN/TPQ-53 Pilot Program repair effort and provide technical support to fielded systems ahead of planned Depot maintenance. He also took the initiative to better himself and increase his effectiveness at TYAD by achieving his Certified Electronics Technician and Engineer-In-Training certificates. Rudick volunteered to support another requirement by developing a test capability to validate digital phase shifters, a part critical to AN/TPQ-37 Power Amplifier Modules. He developed an automated program to reduce the amount of time required for manual measurements and also worked with the Original Equipment Manufacturer to develop a better understanding of AN/TPQ-53 testing. He then provided training to fellow engineers and C4ISR technicians in order to complete depot transition efforts within the contract timeline. Mike Sherin serves as a Supervisory Electronics Engineer and works closely with Rudick. He said his efforts have made an impact on the entire team around him. “Mike consistently dives head-first in new technical challenges. His self-motivation, positive attitude, and strong work ethic are inspiring to his peers. Mike volunteers for additional work assignments demonstrating a mission-first attitude to his team members and his hands-on approach allows him to lead by doing,” said Sherin. “Mike truly puts his best foot forward each and every day and encourages others to do the same. Mike is recognized by his peers as someone who is always willing to help others solve challenging technical issues, and takes any Pathways students under his wing to ensure they have a fulfilling experience at TYAD.” 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. The plan aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
TYAD Honored Gatto as Supervisor of the Quarter When it comes to leadership at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Brandon Gatto, Chief of the Tobyhanna Legal Office, believes that good leaders will not instruct their teams to do something they wouldn’t do themselves. For his hard work, dedication to service, and strong leadership, he has been named Tobyhanna Army Depot’s (TYAD) Supervisor of the Quarter for the 1st Quarter of FY24. Gatto joined Team Tobyhanna following years of experience working in law. Having earned degrees from Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and Temple University School of Law, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable James A. Gibbons in Lackawanna County and then a judicial law clerk to the Honorable James M. Munley in the United States (U.S.) District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. From there, he worked as a litigation associate at a large law firm headquartered in Philadelphia. Gatto joined the U.S. Army Reserve as a judge advocate right around the same time he entered private practice. He said he found the work to be inspiring and that he enjoyed the idea of being part of something bigger than himself and using the law to help servicemembers. It was the work he performed with the U.S. Army Reserve that inspired him to seek out full-time opportunities with the Army, which led to his eventual joining of Team Tobyhanna. Gatto said he appreciated the leadership component of the Army. During his initial year as a judge advocate, he said he received some of his best leadership training and had opportunities to work directly with extraordinary leaders. Lauren Leary, who serves as a Paralegal Specialist at TYAD, said that his leadership skills are second to none. “You often hear leaders describe themselves with words such as selfless, humble, and altruistic, but it is rare to find a leader that truly embodies all of these traits. Brandon is the embodiment of those qualities. He is incredibly caring and kind and is never too busy for any of us in the office,” said Leary. “He also consistently sets clear expectations and goals for his employees, so we never have to wonder what is expected of us. I can probably speak for everyone in the office when I say that we are not only better employees under his leadership, but also better people.” Legal Assistant Wendy Deprimo echoed Leary’s sentiment, saying she has learned and grown much under his guidance. “Words can’t possibly convey my admiration, respect, and appreciation for Brandon. He leads by example, inspiring trust, and empowering those around him. His natural ability to lead, inspire, mentor, and motivate others is truly impressive,” said Deprimo. “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to work under his leadership and continue this growth journey.” Gatto’s leadership style embodies the old saying “there is no ‘I’ in ‘Team,’” metaphorically saying that the legal office rolls the ball up the hill collectively. “This is not a legal office where we sit back and wait for bad things to happen. We’re incredibly proactive. We work hard to understand new issues quickly and to empower those we serve to do what’s best for our client – the Army. ‘Leading by example’ is part of our overall culture and the servant leadership ethos that we try to practice,” said Gatto. “The ‘servant leadership’ mentality directly aligns with ‘leading by example.’ We prioritize client service, put the needs of others before our own, take ownership of the problems we face, and equip leaders to act with confidence. Doing so has helped us build trust across the organization quicker and demonstrate that we are all part of the same team.” Associate Counsel Shanna Williamson feels Gatto’s leadership style resonates with her, saying it is the epitome of reliable, honest leadership. “Brandon exemplifies what it is to be a true leader. He is decisive, compassionate, and fair,” said Williamson. “I am privileged to learn from his example daily.” Associate Counsel Jamie Schelling said Gatto not only inspires the team to reach their max potential but also makes coming to work a pleasure. “Brandon challenges us to think outside the box to find new, more efficient ways of doing things and he listens without judgment when we do. He makes it a priority to recognize our team’s wins big or small,” said Schelling. “He provides constant support but also trusts us to tackle projects without his oversight. He makes coming to work every day enjoyable and inspires us all to reach our full potential.” One recent initiative that Gatto supported, with help from TYAD’s Business Intelligence Team, was the development of a work tracker aimed at tracking responsiveness to client questions, among other things. The idea nests with the depot’s overall desire to implement metrics-based dashboards for each cost center with the goal of making data-driven decisions. Gatto said that although the team previously tracked each matter that they handled, they felt it didn’t really equate to a tracking service that their clients could see. He said the team decided to begin tracking responsiveness formally because they recognized it is important to their people. They quickly found that they were turning around client requests within 1-2 days, which is a high mark considering the complexities of some issues that arise. “Most of our leaders need answers yesterday. Showing them that we have the ability to rapidly analyze complicated legal questions builds trust immediately,” said Gatto. “It also dispels the myth that questions get ‘stuck in the legal office.’” Gatto credited the entire legal team, which boasts many years of experience, for his receiving the honor. He said that without them and their hard work and dedication, success wouldn’t be possible. “We have an exceptional team in both the professional and personal sense. I think our diversity and our experiences have led to that,” said Gatto. “My Supervisor of the Quarter plaque has a sticky note over it that says ‘Teamwork Award.’ That’s how I really consider it. Any individual recognition is a result of the team’s success overall. When one of us is celebrated, we’re all celebrated, and I believe that’s the mentality throughout the office.” Associate Counsel David Tomaszewski also works closely alongside Gatto in TYAD’s Legal Office. He said Gatto is the most talented and caring leader he’s had to privilege to work with. “Brandon consistently demonstrates the utmost character, competence in his guidance, and commitment to serving the best interests of Army, TYAD, and his Legal Office teammates. He fosters a collaborative team-oriented environment where everyone’s opinions and ideas are respected and valued. While Brandon has high expectations, the atmosphere in which we achieve them is relaxed and even fun,” said Tomaszewski. “Brandon truly cares about our professional and personal development and well-being. We are all inspired to do our best for him, as he always does his best for us. In my 38 years of legal practice both in military and civilian settings, I have not enjoyed a job more, nor experienced a more talented and caring leader, teammate, or coworker. I am proud to have the good fortune, honor and privilege to serve under Brandon’s leadership.” At the end of the day, Gatto said it is the individuals surrounding him that brings him the most joy in his work. “I have exceptional people throughout my chain of command. It’s the same thing I love about working for the Army. It’s the people,” said Gatto. The Supervisor of the Quarter award – and its companion Employee of the Quarter awards – are TOBY2035 initiatives aligned with the Invest in Our People line of effort. The plan, which has three additional focus areas, strives to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Tobyhanna and USAMMA Cut the Ribbon on Modernized Medical Maintenance Operations Facility Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is now home to one of the most modernized Medical Maintenance Operations Division (MMOD) facilities in the United States. On Thursday, May 2, employees and Army leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of a brand-new United States Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA) facility at TYAD with a ribbon cutting. The project was the result of a four year long, multi-million dollar effort that saw USAMMA transition their entire workspace to a newly renovated area. Keynote speakers at the event included TYAD Deputy Commander Robert Lantka and USAMMA Medical Maintenance Management Director CW4 (Ret.) Jorge Magana-Cortez. The repair and conversion of the new building, known as MMOD-PA, has been designed to meet the United States Army Medical Logistics Command’s (AMLC) requirements, which included complete renovations to an entire bay and half of another. Some specific renovations include a new roof, dock enclosures and ramps, structural steel mezzanine, overhead and personnel doors, lighting, sprinkler system and valve room, HVAC, X-ray room, conference room, offices, sterilizer testing pit, rack storage, and an open area with 40 workstations. In the end, 60,000 square feet of building area has been recapitalized. Magana-Cortez said that above all, the ribbon cutting is for the hard-working individuals who execute the mission on a daily basis. “In today’s audience is the very special staff who this was done for that execute the day-to-day operations. This ribbon cutting ceremony is for you,” said Magana-Cortez. “We appreciate all of the hard work that you’ve done and what you’re going to do in this building in the future.” This project builds upon an already strong working relationship between USAMMA and TYAD and represents a win-win for both parties. For USAMMA, they now have modernized facilities and furnishings. Additionally, the layout in their new area is more efficient and quality of life has been improved for their staff. For TYAD, the now unoccupied building has been returned to mission space and will be renovated with the goal of improving efficiency and quality of life for depot employees. Lantka lauded the teamwork that occurred between the teams at AMLC and TYAD saying that without it, this all wouldn’t have been possible. “The story of how we got here today is amazing. For over the last 12 to 14 years, Tobyhanna has been able to invest over $900 million into its facilities and this is just one successful program,” said Lantka. “The reason why this was successful is the excellent teamwork between the AMLC team and our Garrison Installation team. They ran the processes that ensure our modernization projects have the right justification, the right prioritization, and that barriers and obstacles got broken down to ensure success.” MMOD-PA Interim Director William Wall echoed Lantka’s sentiment, saying that the close collaboration allowed both parties to provide the very best to the warfighter. “This project was 4 years in the making. It wouldn’t have been successful without continued collaboration between AMLC, USAMMA, and TYAD. We all worked in concert to ensure the funds were secured and the project stayed on schedule,” said Wall. “The modernization of the facility has not only improved our capabilities to the Warfighter, but the infrastructure improvements have also improved the quality-of-life aspect for our team.” Additionally, Wall distributed 10 awards to USAMMA employees for their hard work and dedication during the renovation and moving process. Working with USAMMA to open this new facility is a TOBY2035 initiative aligned with the C5ISR Readiness and Shape the Future lines of effort. The plan, which has two additional focus areas, strives to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Hosts Author, Motivational Speaker to Talk on Trauma and Redemption In accordance with Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), Team Tobyhanna recently welcomed author and motivational speaker Clark Fredericks to Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) on Tuesday, April 2, for a presentation on trauma and redemption. He is the latest in an annual series of SAAPM speakers, reaffirming the depot’s commitment toward maintaining a safe and healthy working environment in which all members of Team Tobyhanna can thrive. Fredericks’ presentation, titled “A Male Perspective,” is one of tragedy, overcoming abuse, healing, and inspiration. Whilst growing up in the quiet town of Stillwater, New Jersey, a sexual predator began grooming him at age seven for what became five years of mental and sexual abuse. After many years he sought revenge on his abuser, so he hunted him down and took his life. Fredericks would go on to serve time in state prison where he entered a pilot therapy program and began to turn his life around. Through his use of speech, social media, and writing books, he has used his story of overcoming childhood molestation as a vehicle to encourage victims of sexual assault to end their silence, move out of the darkness of abuse and into the light of healing. Ricardo Horn, who serves as Chief of the Employee Wellness Center (EWC), said that it was important to build upon the strong base his team set when they brought in a speaker for last year’s SAAPM. “With a commitment to excellence we challenged ourselves to build on that high bar we set for ourselves last SAAPM,” said Horn. “From sexual assault to substance use to suicide, Clark’s story captures every element of our Employee Wellness Center’s prevention efforts.” Jaime Shields, who serves as a Community Support Advocate within the EWC, echoed Horn’s sentiment. “A mentor once told me to always have courage in your convictions and to have the confidence to do what is right even when other people may not agree or approve. We wanted to find a speaker whose story would leave an impact on the organization and push the envelope on how we have tried to raise awareness about the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program (SHARP), Army Substance Abuse Program, and Suicide Prevention,” said Shields. “Clark’s powerful message about surviving trauma, recovering from darkness, and emerging into light resonates with our mission to take care of our people and community.” In the years following his release, Fredericks helped spearhead a movement to change the Statute of Limitations Laws in the state of New Jersey, which now allows victims of sexual abuse civil to seek recourse beyond the previous two-year window. He says he has no plans to end his crusade for victims and hopes to start conversations about this epidemic, which effects children across the country. Horn added that he believes hearing stories such as the one detailed in “A Male Perspective” will help end some of the stigma associated with it and hopes it inspires members of Team Tobyhanna to come forward with any issues they may be facing. “Clark’s authenticity is captivating and helps us connect with topics that are all too often ignored or dismissed due to the stigma and shame they are associated with,” said Horn. “We hope that in hearing Clark’s message of recovery and redemption, Tobyhanna employees reach out for help knowing that change is possible.” TYAD employees in need of assistance with challenges they may be struggling with can contact the EWC at 570-615-8873 or AMC-CECOM-TYAD-EWC@army.mil to schedule a confidential appointment. Employees can also fill out this appointment request form https://forms.osi.apps.mil/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=D9fm-kuVEUiStgUw1vhMQyM3PGjIID9JvWTrV5xHm1RUMTM2MzRQR0RNNFUxWFpYMzNaU0gyRUhORyQlQCN0PWcu. Clark Fredericks’ presentation and the SHARP program are TOBY2035 initiatives aligned with the Invest in Our People and Shape the Future lines of effort. The plan, which has two additional focus areas, strives to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Equipment Repair and Development a Constant, Evolving Mission For more than six decades, artisans at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) have been at the forefront of repairing and employing automatic test equipment (ATE)to diagnose and test military equipment. That mission continues today, underscoring Tobyhanna’s commitment to supporting the joint warfighters of the past, present and future. ATE refers to test hardware with its own operating system software that enables users to assess the functionality of a weapons system, detect quality issues, and ensure applied corrective actions have been successful. The use of ATE benefits the depot in a variety of ways, from increasing the quality of repairs to reducing internal turnaround times and beyond. Historical records show a huge surge in ATE at Tobyhanna in the early 2000s. The increased need for ATE came after a significant amount of new workload arrived at the depot; the workload transitioned to TYAD after a Base Realignment and Closure Commission, which was focused on divesting excess capacity and property within the Department of Defense. TYAD’s ATE repair workload has represented one of its most constant but always evolving initiatives. For example, the Electronic Quality Assurance Test Equipment (also called the EQUATE system) has been a TYAD mission for over three decades. Used by servicemembers worldwide, the EQUATE is a test station used for multiple types of testing for wire assemblies in support of counterfire radar missions. Investments into ATE programs like the EQUATE are particularly fruitful for the depot because the positive results are two-pronged. In repairing, maintaining, and sustaining ATE, TYAD enjoys consistent workload that directly impacts readiness and saves lives. The maintenance of these systems also allows the depot to apply the testing capabilities of the ATE to other products depot artisans are preparing for our nation’s warfighters. The benefits of ATE utilization are many. If one were to walk through the plethora of production floor areas at TYAD today, several instruments used to perform tests on workload both old and new can be seen. These instruments help to ensure every asset being provided to our nation’s warfighters is up to the lofty Tobyhanna standard through increased efficiency and accuracy. Efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to ATE. It will rack up multiple instruments and put it under PC control, eliminating the possibility of human error and centralizing several tests under one umbrella. It is capable of performing various tests at once even if the systems aren’t exactly the same, reducing the time it takes to ensure compliance across multiple workloads. In order to mitigate unforeseen issues, ATE can also be used to proactively ensure systems are functioning the way they are intended. This offers artisans at TYAD a huge boost in efficiency as they can be certain no time is being wasted by assembling something that has issues. Electronics Engineer David Zahorsky said the use of ATE helps alleviate the load on an employee’s shoulders. “In some shops, you may see individual instruments used to test specific things. For example, say you need to make a voltage measurement and you need to manually input a lot of information. The beauty of automatic test equipment is that you can automate all of those tests,” said Zahorsky. “For the purpose of completing an entire test document, it reduces the burden on technician personnel to have to make those individual tests. It also reduces mistakes that could potentially be made by missing a test or something like reading an instrument.” ATE utilization and the development of test program sets (TPS) can also be used as a means to see around corners when navigating systems and preparing to take on new workload. By frequently running self-test alignments the individuals working on the production floor can hit the ground running and start properly testing the technological components necessary for the equipment to function correctly. Just as assets change to meet the needs of the warfighter on an ever-evolving battlefield, so must the test procedures evolve. Combined hands-on and software repair and troubleshooting works in synergy with proactive TPS development and transition to ensure TYAD remains on the cutting edge into the future. TPS development is a key activity during the transition to sustainment for military assets, streamlining the repair process. Test Engineering Branch Chief Matthew Rhoades and his team build test programs to support new assets and workload. Four TPSs are being developed during the onboarding of the MQ-9 Reaper workload, according to Rhoades. “The TPSs developed in conjunction with public-private partnerships with L3Harris and General Atomics enable TYAD’s electronics personnel to screen LRUs at the beginning of the process to identify where the asset requires repair. Once repair is complete, assets are tested to validate the repair, ensuring the warfighter receives a quality product – every time.” While Rhoades and his team work to either build new TPSs or rehost them on new ATE, Production Equipment Branch Chief Wayne Swire and his team keep equipment up and running. Swire said the key to sustained ATE success for Tobyhanna lies in the present. “The key is having the capability in-house. By adding to our capabilities in the present, TYAD best positions itself to support warfighters on an evolving battlefield,” said Swire. In many ways, the future of ATE has already arrived at TYAD. The last couple of years have been marked by transition from legacy and sustainment systems like the EQUATE to new systems like the Air Force-standard Versatile Diagnostic Automatic Test Station (VDATS) and the Army-standard Next Generation Automated Test System (NGATS). While VDATSs have been at TYAD for a decade, the depot is scheduled to receive its first full rate production NGATSs this year. The VDATS has supported the aforementioned MQ-9 Reaper and depot personnel are ready to hit the ground running once the NGATS arrives to provide TPS capability for the AN/TPQ-53 Radar System. The utilization of ATE and the development of TPSs in conjunction with the precision and dedication of depot artisans ensures TYAD will continue to deliver on that mission now and into the future. The repair, sustainment, and development of ATE and TPSs directly aligns with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035, which has four focus areas: Invest 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.
