Tobyhanna Army Depot Employee Recognized by Secretary of Defense Brenda Gillis, a management analyst in Tobyhanna’s Resource Management Directorate, was recently recognized for her achievements in advancing equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The 43rd Annual DOD Disability Awards, held at the Pentagon on October 26, recognized 23 outstanding employees from over 1,000 applicants. In October, the DOD observed National Disability Employment Awareness Month and recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gillis, who is blind, has worked at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) for over 11 years. During that time, she has distinguished herself through execution of duties in alignment with the Army’s Civilian Corps Creed. Over the last year, she revamped her directorate’s telework process to make it easier to manage for years to come. This program improved employee performance and engagement and supported mission productivity and efficiency. Gillis said she was shocked and honored when initially finding out about the award. She actually asked her team lead to ensure the email was the real deal and not a scam. While Gillis may have been surprised, members of Team Tobyhanna who have the pleasure of working alongside Gillis were hardly surprised. Lead Management Analyst Lisa Wesneski works closely with Gillis. She said that Gillis’ ability to creatively think through any problem makes her a tremendous asset to Team Tobyhanna. “Brenda is one of the greatest strategic thinkers I have ever worked with. She easily understands the second, third, and fourth order of effects and uses that ability to solve any problem that comes her way,” said Wesneski. “She is confident in her abilities and never hesitates to work with others, at all levels of our organization, to make processes efficient and logical. She is paving the groundwork for future employees and contributing to the success of TYAD for years to come.” Gillis very much reciprocates the sentiments of her colleagues, saying she could not have earned this award without the support of her teammates. Gillis protected the interests of the government by executing the out-processing procedures for civilians who are departing the depot. Over the past year, she improved the process and mentored over 23 distinct areas to ensure the importance of following the process is understood. Her improvements had a positive impact on financial metrics by ensuring out-processing time charges were accurate and employees were held accountable for their time. Gillis also plays a key role in the execution of TYAD’s career development employee program. Her dedication to the Army People First initiative is highlighted by her genuine care and concern toward ensuring the Army will retain the Civilian talent needed to achieve Army readiness now and in pace with the Army Modernization strategy of 2035. Her selfless service and dedication to duty ensure new employees embrace the Army slogan “Be All You Can Be” and know their efforts are saving lives every day. Gillis serves on TYAD’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility team as well as a 508 users group. Gillis is proud of the strides TYAD has made on the accessibility front, saying the depot’s accessibility has improved “lightyears” since she began her depot career. Chief of the Personnel Management Division Jeffrey Compton also works alongside Gillis. He said that her strong work ethic and inventive ideas have provided a positive impact on the people and processes across the entire depot. “Brenda lives the Army values in everything she does. Her personal courage and sense of duty energize her to take on any challenge, and work with others at all levels of the organization to accomplish the team’s mission,” said Compton. “Brenda can visualize a process and possesses the ability to identify gaps and then take action to address those gaps to improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the process. She is humble, yet confident in her abilities, and is proud to serve as an Army civilian.” During the ceremony, the Department of the Army was also recognized with the Secretary of Defense Award for the Best Mid-Sized Component in Achievements in Advancing Employment Opportunities for Individual with Disabilities. Lisa L. Arfaa, director of the DOD’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lauded all who were recognized during the ceremony. “The contributions of today’s awardees have furthered the path to equity for people with disabilities and strengthened our workforce. I am confident DOD will continue to meet mission requirements because of employees like you [the awardees].” Gillis said the experience has been amazing. She said not only was the award an honor, but attending the ceremony allowed her to network with representatives from other DOD entities. Gillis said she gained some valuable insights that she hopes to bring back to TYAD to continue the great progress the depot has made in accessibility. Reflecting on her TYAD career, Gillis believes transparency, communication and understanding are cornerstones for a successful career. Gillis encouraged all members of Team Tobyhanna to advocate for themselves so we can all best support one another to achieve our common goals. “With or without a disability, it is important to self-advocate because only you know best what you need to succeed. Challenges can only be overcome when we speak up and stand up for ourselves.”
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Wren Family for Generations in Combat On the shores of Lake Michigan, fresh off his grandson Jacob’s boot camp graduation, Richard S. Wren Sr. knew the time had come to share the things he had seen and endured while serving his nation. Jacob, or “Butch” as his grandfather affectionately calls him, was about to be the next in a long line of Wrens to serve his nation. Richard S. Wren Sr. earned a Purple Heart when he was wounded by grenade shrapnel in the Korean War. Understandably, he talks little of the harrowing experience, but in this moment the patriarch of the Wren family felt it necessary to make his grandson aware of the realities posed by serving one’s nation. Jacob Wren holds the conversation, with the man who he and everyone in the family strives to make proud, amongst the most important and meaningful of his life. “(My grandfather) said ‘You know, Butch, I’m very proud of you, but just know you signed up to go into war, and I’m going to tell you something I’ve never talked to you about,’” said Jacob Wren. He said the conversation only heightened his already lofty view of his grandfather’s sacrifice. “That’s when it dawned on me to see the things that he has seen and gone through in his life – he had to come home and live with that without any of us really knowing the effects that caused on him and his life, but he never let that change who he was and how he was in our lives as a grandfather.” For generations, the Wrens have passed down a tradition of family, hard work and service to one’s nation. Dating all the way back to the Revolutionary War on Jacob’s grandmother’s and Richard S. Wren Sr.’s wife, Barbara A. Wren’s, side of the family, that commitment to serving our nation has been proudly passed down. Richard S. Wren Sr. and his son Richard S. Wren Jr. both served their nation in the Army. Largely inspired by their grandfather and father’s Army service, Jacob and his youngest brother, Anthony, served the nation in the Navy. Although an injury prevented Jacob from going to war, Anthony served multiple tours. Jacob Wren said the opportunity to not only continue his family’s legacy of service but become a part of a shared experience generations of Wrens have known was a surreal one. “To be a part of something bigger than I am, and to share that with my little brother who was active duty at the time, was incredible. To share that with him and have that brotherhood not just with the Navy but with my brother as well, was incredible.” Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Richard S. Wren Sr.’s service is his unwavering loyalty and dedication to our nation despite the tremendous sacrifices he has made. Once his military career had ended, Richard S. Wren Sr., who had given so much to our nation, asked how he can serve the nation further. That desire to serve his nation in a civilian capacity led Richard S. Wren Sr. to join the ranks of Team Tobyhanna with a career at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD). Once again, Richard S. Wren Sr. inspired others in his family to serve their nation, this time on the home front. Currently, Russell Wren, his nephews Jacob and Richard S. Wren III and their cousin Michael Kosloski all serve amongst the ranks of Team Tobyhanna. They follow in the footsteps of Richard S. Wren Sr. and his son Richard S. Wren Jr., who both counted themselves as members of the civilian workforce. For Jacob and Richard III, TYAD has been in their blood since childhood. The two not only work at TYAD but lived in Tobyhanna Pines, Army family housing on post, as children. Much like his brother Jacob, Richard S. Wren III was inspired by his grandfather to serve his nation. Although a medical issue kept him out of the Army, he was determined to etch his name in the long history of the Wren family’s service to the nation. “Tobyhanna was my second chance to serve my nation. To this day, I have a great deal of passion and pride in working here. It was very important to me to do some sort of service,” said Richard S. Wren III. Every member of Team Tobyhanna has an added purpose in their work knowing that the work they support will directly benefit our nation’s warfighters, but Richard S. Wren III has a very personal tie to his work. “My family members were enlisted full-time. They were deployed overseas. So, my family members were using the equipment we were working on. Being able to do things for the veterans and keeping them out of danger makes working at Tobyhanna special. It gives me a good feeling to know I’m helping our service members.” Each member of the Wren family echoes those sentiments. To them, working at TYAD offers another opportunity to serve their nation through work they take tremendous pride in. Russell Wren has worked at TYAD for nearly 20 years, ascending to a leadership position. He aspires to make his father proud through his commitment to our nation. The first thing he did when learning he had attained a leadership role was call his father. “When I was selected for my first leadership position, I took great pride in that. Being able to carry on my father’s legacy is important to me. He has supported and empowered us throughout our lives. I want to make him proud through my work,” said Russell Wren. Russell Wren considers it a privilege to be a member of Team Tobyhanna. “Make what you do today matter because you gave up a day of your life to do it. Working at TYAD helps me fulfill that mantra because what we do here at TYAD has a direct impact on the soldiers in the field and saves people’s lives. That is all the motivation I need to come to work every day, and I take great pride in working at TYAD.” The values of service remain strong in the family, and the next generation may soon be serving the depot. With a lineage of service dating back to the birth of the nation, one may think that service was the greatest value Richard S. Wren instilled in his children and grandchildren. However, the only value he and his wife impressed more than service was family. “Growing up we all wanted to be like my grandfather. We all wanted to serve, we all wanted to be like him. His and my grandmother’s relationship – they’re together 65+ years – the foundation they created in our family and imprinted on our lives was important because they taught us that family is everything, and no matter what your family comes first. And I personally think that his time in the military and what he went through helped him develop that skill to just be the greatest family man that you can ever be,” said Jacob Wren. In a word, Russell Wren and the entire Wren family is grateful to have such a strong role model and example who profoundly touched each of their lives. “I get emotional when I think of what my father, as a young man, had to endure during his service to our nation. He is the greatest man I have ever had the privilege to know, and I feel the deepest sense of gratitude to be able to call that man Dad,” said Russell Wren. Through his commitment to service and family, Richard S. Wren has earned the admiration and respect of his family and his nation. The nation thanks the Wren family for their undying allegiance to the U.S. and their tireless dedication to service in support of the ideals we hold dear and the warfighters who courageously protect them every day.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) marked the occasion by raising awareness of the experiences of employees with disabilities. Currently, 10% of employees working at Tobyhanna identify as having some form of disability. In addition to traditional federal hiring practices, Tobyhanna utilizes the Schedule A Hiring Authority, which provides non-competitive pathways to employment for qualified applicants with disabilities. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 61 million adults — one in four — in the United States live with a disability. “At some point in their lives, most people will either have a disability or know someone who has a one,” said Coleen Boyle, Ph.D., director of CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. “Learning more about people with disabilities in the United States can help us better understand and meet their health needs.” TYAD strives to continuously improve when it comes to providing an inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities. According to Equal Employment Office Chief John Sutkowsky, TYAD is continuously searching for ways to provide individuals with disabilities the best possible means to fulfill their work. One such example is through the use of screen reading technology for blind individuals, which he explained gives blind employees much more independence when performing their work as they don’t constantly need to rely on someone else to read their screens for them. “The disabled person has a whole lot more independence at work than they ever did before,” said Sutkowsky. “The embracement of technology has really allowed for accessibility and possibilities that were thought impossible many years ago.” Sutkowsky explained how over the years, disabled individuals have proven over the years that they are just as capable of achieving the same kind of success as those who are not disabled. Despite this fact, there are still those out there who operate under the misconception that someone with a disability cannot perform their duties to the fullest. One method TYAD uses to combat these misapprehensions is through strong and extensive training programs that detail how individuals should not have preconceived ideas of what disabled people are capable or not capable of doing. “When given the chance, disabled individuals will surprise others with what they’re capable of doing,” said Sutkowsky. “TYAD has seen many great employees with disabilities be completely self-sufficient throughout their entire careers, even in roles others wouldn’t stereotypically think possible for them. We always aim to challenge the idea of what a disabled person can or can’t do, because they’re capable of a lot more than you’d think.” Dionne Bash, a deaf employee working in the EEO Office, offered her firsthand perspective as to how hearing people can effectively communicate with their deaf co-workers during a presentation to the workforce on October 5. Using a sign language interpreter, Bash touched on several topics including best practices for communication with deaf employees, interpreters, American Sign Language and more. Bash said Team Tobyhanna is strongest when working together. “Communication is a two-way street. What (deaf people) want is mutual respect. We need to work together to make it work. The more flexible we are, the better it is for everyone.” Attendees raved about the presentation, noting how it helped them understand diverse experiences. “Because I don’t work directly with anyone at Tobyhanna who is deaf or hard-of-hearing, it was good to learn Dionne’s preferences for how to communicate with co-workers. I’m glad I was able to attend this presentation, and I hope to learn more on this and other topics about my co-workers in the future,” said Jeffrey Esposito, an electronics mechanic in the C4ISR Directorate. Jose Collado agreed. “The presentation was filled with a plethora of useful information. However, the highlight for me was that we should make it a habit to make eye contact while communicating with the deaf and hard-of-hearing for them to read our lips,” he said. Tobyhanna has proudly partnered with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) since 2012, providing meaningful career and internship opportunities to their students. Depot personnel work directly alongside NTID instructors to ensure the school’s curriculum aligns with operational needs. One of nine colleges on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus, NTID has more than 1,200 students enroll in its programs every year. The organization named Tobyhanna Army Depot with the “Center on Employment Outstanding Employer Partner Award” in 2019. Individuals interested in learning more about Schedule A employment can call (570) 615-5410. Anyone interested in career opportunities with Team Tobyhanna can apply through USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov. Fostering employment for employees of all abilities is a TOBY2035 Invest in Our People initiative. TOBY2035 is Tobyhanna Army Depot’s long-range strategic plan and strives to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider. TYAD 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, postproduction software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,200 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is 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 empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Artisans Recognized on National Tradesman Day Tobyhanna Army Depot celebrated National Tradesman Day by shining a spotlight on some of its expert tradesmen and saluting all tradesmen who contribute to the organization’s mission. The depot employs artisans in a variety of trades for both mission and base operations. Many other tradespeople work in the Installation Services Directorate’s Facilities Maintenance Branch, providing vital support to base operations and tackling a broad mission that ranges from plumbing to electrical and beyond, according to Public Works Division Chief James Wisnewski. “The Facilities Maintenance Branch defines what it means to be a customer service organization. No matter how complex or urgent the task is, they are always up for the challenge. Their efforts ensure that Tobyhanna can accomplish its C5ISR mission,” he said. Scott Burti joined the Facilities Maintenance Branch three years ago, after a successful career as a commercial electrician. A father of five, he says he sought federal employment for opportunity. “My family is the most important thing to me and my prior career had me consistently working 11-to-12-hour days, 7 days a week. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Team Tobyhanna, where I can use my skills while also having great work-life balance.” Burti lauded the depot workforce as one of the organization’s greatest assets. “I have made some of the best friends I’ve ever had here. The people here are amazing.” While the depot’s vast campus allows Burti to utilize his electrical knowledge, he considers himself a lifelong learner and recently shadowed Installation Services directors as part of the TOBY2035 Federal Wage System Directorate Internship Program. He says the internship was truly eye-opening. “Shadowing Mr. Ramey and Ms. Leonard changed my perception of what is required to be a senior leader at Tobyhanna. Experiences like this [the internship] are key to dispelling myths and improving our culture,” adding that he hopes to use his dynamic background to benefit Tobyhanna’s business operations in the future. A graduate of East Stroudsburg University, Burti earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in business with a concentration in psychology and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree. He is also a current member of the Leadership Lackawanna Core Class of 2023-2024. In his personal life, Burti enjoys golfing, spending time with his family and volunteering in his community. Michael Gaudette is a Maintenance Mechanic in the Installation Services Directorate. He is known around TYAD for his wealth of abilities which include plumbing, fitting pipes, and managing the heat and boilers on base. Prior to joining Team Tobyhanna in 2008, he had 15 years of experience doing residential and commercial work of the same sort. Although Gaudette has taken a few classes here and there, he considers himself trained on the job. He said he trained alongside individuals with years of experience and learned many best practices from those mentors. Although grateful for the experience he gained, he looked to TYAD in search of something better, citing the flexibility as one of the main things that brought him here. As TYAD covers 2.4 million square feet of space, it’s easy to imagine that no two days repeat themselves. Gaudette said that is what he likes best about working here. “For me it’s always something different. I’m not in the same place every day,” said Gaudette. “We have tons of different buildings around TYAD and I’m in different buildings all the time. No job is ever the same.” One highlight of his depot career thus far came in 2010 when Gaudette served for six months in Afghanistan working on Counter Improvised Explosive Devices. Although never having formally enlisted, he said he viewed the eye-opening experience as his way of helping to give back. Outside of TYAD, Gaudette enjoys the outdoors, describing himself as an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman. He also enjoys spending time with his family and watching his four grandchildren participate in youth soccer and baseball. Daniel Unger is an Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic in the Installation Services Directorate. Growing up in a nearby community, Unger said he’s known about TYAD and its mission of supporting the Warfighter for most of his life. He attended Johnson College where he graduated with a Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) degree in 2019 and said that upon graduation, he wanted to try his best to join the Depot’s talented workforce. Unger described himself as a hands-on person. He said knew early on that he wanted to enter an industry that allowed him to keep his hands moving. He took an interest in HVAC after shadowing a family friend who owned a HVAC business. Unger officially joined Team Tobyhanna in 2020 as a contractor and was brought on as a full-time employee in May 2022. Like Gaudette, he said that his favorite thing about working at TYAD is that every day is different and presents a new challenge. “The thing I like most about my job is that there’s so many different places and so many different types of equipment. I even have my own van,” said Unger. “[TYAD] is almost like its own little city so I don’t really work on the same equipment every day. It is always something new.” When he’s not at work, Unger keeps busy by riding his 2021 Harley Davidson motorcycle around and working on his antique truck, a 1984 Ford F350. He also has his own HVAC business doing residential installations in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Facilities Maintenance Branch Chief John MacKinney III lauded the trio and emphasized their commitment to Tobyhanna’s mission. “These are some of the most dedicated folks I have worked with. They stay late or come in at all hours of the day to address emergencies,” he said. “I feel honored to lead this team, and hope we continue to exceed expectations.” Installation Services Director William Ramey agreed. “They bring a wealth of knowledge to support our critical infrastructure requirements. Their commitment to teamwork and solving complex problems contributes to the success of our entire installation,” said Ramey. Joshua Ward is one of Team Tobyhanna’s newest members, serving as a Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic in the Production Engineering Directorate’s Mobile Equipment Branch. Ward and his colleagues in the depot Motor Pool sustain mission-critical equipment such as forklifts, utility vehicles, excavators and much more. A Northeastern Pennsylvania native, Ward worked in the private sector as a plumber prior to his depot career. He says his current role is a better fit for his abilities. “I worked as a mechanic in the Army, so being a part of the Motor Pool allows me to use that experience. Every day here is unique, and I like being able to work on different types of equipment for different reasons. Some days, I’m fighting to fix a door latch and others, I am changing batteries.” Among Ward’s key roles is serving as Tobyhanna’s roll back operator – a role pivotal to Tobyhanna’s mission supporting military readiness. Roll back materiel movement is required to relocate assets from one part of the depot to another, as well as to transport equipment on-and-off post for service not available in the Motor Pool. While he’s only worked as an Army Civilian for a few months, Ward is no stranger to Tobyhanna Army Depot – he previously served on post as a member of U.S. Army Reserve’s 392nd Signal Battalion. Ward continues to serve his nation as a member of the 412th Engineering Company, headquartered in Scranton and has more than 10 years of military service under his belt. Like others, Ward noted the immense number of opportunities available at Tobyhanna Army Depot and says he is setting big goals for himself. “In the future, I want to move into leadership, and I’m working now to identify courses that can help me grow. I also want to continue my education.” In his limited free time, Ward enjoys do-it-yourself projects on his home, spending time with his two young children, and fishing – especially at Barney’s Lake. Ward’s supervisor, Michael Fedorisin, celebrated Ward and the impact he has made in such a short time. “Josh is a great worker and a true asset to our Motor Pool team. He doesn’t hesitate to take on a repair that is out of his normal day-to-day routine, as he is always looking to expand his skill set. His drive and strong work ethic show his passion to support his fellow warfighters.”
Tobyhanna Celebrates Newest 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. With many great candidates supporting TYAD’s vast and varied mission, selection is never easy. For the third quarter of FY23, the honorees are Jaret Edwards and Brian Hampton in the junior and senior categories respectively. Edwards began his career on the depot in May 2004 as a contractor for Lockheed Martin. Edwards has always prided himself on hard work and that dedication yielded immediate success. Edwards held several positions providing outstanding support as a contractor before officially joining Team Tobyhanna in 2007. The various positions prepared Edwards well for his transition to a TYAD employee in September 2007. Currently an electronics worker, Edwards has worn several hats as a member of Team Tobyhanna. No matter what role he is in, Edwards said the ability to support the warfighter serves as his chief motivation. Edwards said being named an EoQ was an unexpected honor that he shares with his fellow team members. “I am extremely honored to be an EoQ. I never would have expected to receive this recognition for doing something I really enjoy,” said Edwards. “It is absolutely a team effort, and there has to be communication from the supervision, work leaders, engineering, production management, quality and many others who play a vital role in supporting the warfighter.” Edwards’ supervisor and Chief of the Infared and Optics Branch Dennis Redding nominated Edwards for the honor because of his dedication to mission, willingness to be a team player, excellent work ethic and meticulousness in providing only the best to our nation’s warfighters. “Jaret’s work is always completed on time and, in most cases, early. His work is impeccable; there is never a reject or re-work on his assets, and his work area is well-organized to be as efficient and practical as possible following the Lean/6S principles. Jaret can always be counted on to meet and deliver any task that may be assigned to him,” said Redding. When the team is in need, Edwards steps up to lead by example and represent his branch in several ways including volunteering as the shop’s quality auditor, acting as a subject matter expert (SME) for visitor tours, attending customer meetings, maximizing the efficiency of work areas and identifying areas of improvement. Redding said Edwards is “the SME for almost every product and system within the branch”. This expert knowledge and his willingness to “help wherever, whenever and whomever may need a hand” make Edwards a model member of Team Tobyhanna and a fitting choice as one of the newest TYAD EoQs. Hampton joined Team Tobyhanna in August of 2006 as a member of the Paint Branch. After taking advantage of the many training opportunities at TYAD, he worked his way onto the Night Vision System. Currently, he serves as a subject matter expert working on the Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS) system within the Sensors/Thermal Targeting Branch of the C4ISR directorate. Hampton embodies the “team” aspect of “Team Tobyhanna.” He is a strong advocate for passing along the knowledge he has obtained from his experience working on the system and ensures the people he works with have the training and knowledge they need to ensure work is accomplished effectively and efficiently. He’s also embracing leadership qualities and paying attention to his co-worker’s questions and capabilities to make sure all technicians are producing top-quality systems for the warfighter. Sensors/Thermal Targeting Branch Chief Aaron Kimble emphasized Hampton’s willingness to go the extra mile to ensure the team’s success. “Brian is always willing to help anyone out with the correct process or procedure. He goes above and beyond to train teammates, support operations during increased workload, and willingly picks up the workload when teammates are required to perform other training duties,” said Kimble. Upon learning he had received the EoQ award, Hampton said it felt nice but emphasized that he couldn’t be successful with the strong team around him. “It is definitely nice getting that pat on the back showing that your hard work is being noticed,” said Hampton. “As much as this is an individual award, I would never receive this without the support around me. Whether it’s the logistics management specialists having my back to get me the parts I need and ensuring the assets are here or others around me, it is not one person accomplishing anything here, it is a team.” When it comes to supporting our Nation’s warfighters, Hampton is truly passionate about the system he works on and the capability it provides on the battlefield. The CROWS is a remotely controlled weapon station for light and medium caliber weapons that can be mounted on any type of platform. He notably took the lead in re-establishing the CROWS workplace in a new location at TYAD. He designed and tested a new layout and process flow, ensured all support equipment was tested, and helped the Production Engineering directorate adjust the route to the new process. When asking what motivates him to go above and beyond, Hampton said it comes down to having passion for what he does. “I love the system I work on. I truly believe it works, it saves lives and that it provides value to the safety of soldiers,” said Hampton. “If you have passion for what you do, it makes you enjoy your job and I really do feel that way about where I’m at.” 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.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Annual Event Helps Industry Connect with Opportunities The private and public sector joined forces on August 24 for Tobyhanna Army Depot’s (TYAD’s) seventh annual Industry Day. In its triumphant return to an in-person event, Industry Day offered over 150 representatives from local, regional and national businesses the opportunity to see TYAD’s vast and ever-evolving capabilities firsthand and learn about opportunities for partnering. Attendees enjoyed comprehensive tours of TYAD’s facilities, networking opportunities, breakout sessions as well as an overview of Tobyhanna’s business and operations from TYAD Chief of Staff Kristyn Smith. During her remarks, Smith noted the depot’s intense focus on the future. “Modernization and the diversification of our portfolio are key to ensuring Tobyhanna is successful in the coming years,” she said. Strategic Initiatives Office (SIO) Chief Katlin Edmunds also provided participants with a briefing on the partnering process, noting the collaborative aspect to public-private partnerships (P3s). “P3s are a cooperative arrangement 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. Partnering is a cooperative effort, not a competitive engagement,” she said. Attendees were then able to choose between breakout sessions that focused on either partnering or contracting. Sessions included a capability overview, information about Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035, a modernization opportunity panel, installation services contract opportunities, mission operations support opportunities and base supply center opportunities. TYAD subject matter experts briefed potential partners on the ever-evolving capabilities of the depot and the new and continuing partnership opportunities created through them. Russell Keating III from the Powell Electronics Group said the event was valuable and informative – for both new attendees as well as those who have participated in the past. “With over 25 years of experience and having visited TYAD over the years, one thing that’s evident is commitment to the same mission. Coming here as possible partners and reengaging, seeing requirements, and fostering mutual business opportunities was invaluable,” he said, adding that he appreciated the warm welcome attendees were given by Team Tobyhanna. “From the moment I stepped foot onto the installation, everyone at TYAD was hospitable.” Depot Commander Col. James L. Crocker provided closing remarks, underscoring the importance of teamwork between the public and private sector. “Partnerships are extremely important,” he said, adding that these types of collaborations will help the United States remain a world leader. Conducting the event on-post was critical to giving attendees the full experience of Industry Day, according to Chris Lupole. “Being the first in-person TYAD Industry Day since 2019, there was a lot of excitement to network and discuss opportunities with our commercial partners. We jumped on the opportunity to host this event in-person again to allow the innovative minds of both the public and private sectors to collaborate more efficiently.” Lupole is a logistics management specialist in the SIO. The event was last held on-post in 2019; virtual events were held during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SIO team urges attendees to remain engaged with Tobyhanna – today, tomorrow, and into the future. “You are all welcome to come back to the depot for another visit focused on your specific interests. We look forward to working together to fulfill DOD goals,” said Edmunds. Many Industry Day attendees said they left with a greater sense of the importance of partnerships to warfighter readiness and the attainment of organizational goals. Both TYAD and its partners and potential partners remain committed to exploring new ways to collaborate to offer heightened readiness at the best value to our nation’s warfighters. The seventh annual Industry Day event is an initiative aligned with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035. The plan aligns with the depot’s four strategic focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications and aims to posture the organization for future success.
Tobyhanna Army Depot to Host Industry Day Tobyhanna Army Depot will host an in-person Industry Day event on Thursday, August 24 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The event will include briefings on depot partnership and contracting opportunities as well as tours of Tobyhanna’s industrial operations.Nearly 150 industry representatives, prospective vendors, and businesses with a focus on service and supply related industries will attend. The goal of the event is to increase awareness of Tobyhanna’s capabilities and educate potential partners of business opportunities that exist at the depot.Media representatives covering the event must pre-register with the Public Affairs Office by calling (570) 615-5864 no later than 3 p.m. on August 23.
Tobyhanna Celebrates Interns Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) observed National Intern Day on July 27 by spotlighting depot employees who joined Team Tobyhanna through internship programs. The Pathways Program provides streamlined Federal employment opportunities for students near graduation and recent graduates. Current students can participate in the Internship Program for temporary summer jobs, while recent graduates can apply for permanent jobs at Tobyhanna. Blake Praschak is bringing the knowledge he has gained as an Electrical Construction Technology student at Johnson College to Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Electrical Cable Branch. Praschak said joining Team Tobyhanna was easy because “everyone talks about how great (TYAD) is.” Seeing it firsthand, Praschak agrees with the sentiment. Blake has been supported and mentored by his colleagues in the shop. “I learn something new every day by watching, paying attention and soaking in as much as I can. And when it comes time to apply what I’ve learned, work leaders know you will make mistakes and are happy to work with you. They tailor your work to get you different experiences.” Praschak has gained valuable hands-on experience with soldering and cable manufacture through his work in the cable shop. Most importantly, he feels he is being molded into the best employee he can be for a noble cause. “Tobyhanna’s mission helps you get up in the morning. Knowing that your work is important to the safety of our nation’s warfighters is a rewarding feeling.” Chief of the Electrical Cable Branch Bob Olshefski said Blake, and all student workers, are part of a long-term strategy to ensure that experienced team members are mentoring the brightest minds of the next generation. “Students offer a fresh perspective and are eager to learn processes. Having students in the shop helps to create a synergy and rejuvenates the shop into a learning and teaching mode. This generation of students has displayed respect, want to learn, and an appreciation of the knowledge they are receiving.” Penn State student Megan Askew recently joined Team Tobyhanna in March. A lifelong admiration for America’s military personnel led her to their current position as a student trainee Production Controller in the Production Management Directorate. “My father is a U.S. Navy veteran, and I was interested in working as a civilian to support servicemembers like him,” she said. The Pathways program affords Askew the opportunity to work alongside experienced production controllers and logistics management specialists to learn the business side of Tobyhanna’s mission. Assigned to the Joint Threat Emitter program, she monitors cost and schedule, collaborating with production floor personnel to ensure a timely, quality product for the warfighter. Although her career aspirations were originally not focused on the logistics field, Askew noted how her experiences here have shaped her future plans. “I really enjoy what I do, and I can absolutely see myself having a long career at Tobyhanna Army Depot,” she said. “There is so much opportunity, and I want to take advantage of it,” She also wants to further her education by gaining a Master of Business Administration degree when she graduates from Penn State next year. Askew praised her experiences thus far at the depot. “Tobyhanna is a great place for interns.” An artist at heart, Megan spends her free time painting, singing, and learning new musical instruments. Internships can often be the foundation for a long and rewarding career, according to Chase Gardner, Chief of the Project Engineering Branch. While a junior at Penn State, Gardner entered the Pathways program’s predecessor, the Student Career Experience Program, as an intern and worked part-time at Tobyhanna while completing his degree. He says the experience was extremely valuable. “Interning allowed me to gain practical experience that complemented my academic studies,” he said. “The opportunity also allowed me to see what types of skills I would need to be an engineer at Tobyhanna and then ensure I took those classes to round out my skillset.” After graduation, Gardner joined Team Tobyhanna as a full-time electrical engineer. As a lifelong learner, he sought out additional developmental experiences in the Production Management Directorate; the Command Group; and through various leadership trainings – all of which led to his current position. “During the first seven years of my depot career, I had a singular view of the depot. Developmental assignments helped me understand the business as a whole, a critical skill to advance in my career. Gardner encourages self-starters to pursue a depot career, noting the vast array of career options. “Endless opportunities exist at Tobyhanna. You just need to seek them out.” Students interested in future internship opportunities with Team Tobyhanna can apply through USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov. For more information, students can visit the Office of Personnel Management website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/ Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, dubbed TOBY2035, has four strategic focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications and aims to posture the organization for future success. The Invest in Our People team is focused on recruiting the best talent to join Team Tobyhanna, including interns, who bring a fresh and unique perspective to the workplace.
Tobyhanna Showcases Agility with New Satellite Terminal Project A unique and dynamic new mission is expanding Tobyhanna Army Depot’s portfolio of capabilities. Personnel from the depot’s Production Engineering Directorate recently completed the inaugural Hardened Transportable Terminal – Modified, or HTT-M — the perfect example of how Tobyhanna Army Depot’s dynamic workforce and innovative approaches position the organization to deliver superior C5ISR readiness for the joint warfighter. Depot personnel worked with the Missile Defense Agency and Department of Defense contractors to design and manufacture a modification of the existing Hardened Transportable Terminal. The term “hardened” refers to the terminal’s ability to endure interference produced by high-altitude electromagnetic pulse threats. The HTT-M is the key communications support element to the deployed AN/TPY-2 radars. The HTT-M provides high-altitude electromagnetic pulse and survivable nuclear, biological, and chemical communications. The asset is a subset of the modernization of enterprise terminals — or MET — program, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar mission to upgrade nearly 90 communication terminals worldwide. The modernizations provide heightened stability and ten times more bandwidth for satellite communications used by Soldiers and DOD officials globally. While the HTT’s main purpose is to serve as a temporary bridge between METs, it can become a permanent fixture when a MET is not a viable option due to space constraints. According to Jonathan Strzelec, chief of the Production Engineering Directorate’s SATCOM and Site Installation Division, the three-year design, development, and manufacturing project represents a major success for Team Tobyhanna. “Tobyhanna Army Depot has taken on similar projects in the past, but this is the first of its kind for this specific variant. We built the entire thing from floor to ceiling in an effort that was like building a house — we even built the kitchen sink, for lack of a better term,” he said. The prototype HTT-M includes several storage containers with environmental control units, a generator, and a hardened operations and maintenance van. Engineering Lead Nicholas Paras outlined the herculean effort, noting that it included the talents of artisans from across the depot. “This build required the fabrication of more than 1,800 piece parts as well as extensive welding, wiring, and painting by team members in the Systems Integration and Support Directorate,” he said. “[The Systems Integration and Support Directorate] also completed the integration of the shelters and worked closely with engineering personnel for installation tasks,” adding that engineers and engineering technicians conducted extensive testing once the HTT-M was fully assembled. Mike Vivlemore said the workload allowed TYAD engineers to challenge themselves and reaffirm depot capabilities. “This was an exercise in proving our capabilities. This project both challenged and improved our already lofty design capabilities,” said Vivlemore. Vivlemore serves as the chief of the Production Engineering Directorate’s Design, Development and Fabrication Division. Strzelec lauded the effort and its benefits for both the customer and Team Tobyhanna. “This project adds to the already impressive list of assets Tobyhanna has provided to our Nation’s warfighters,” he said. The satellite communications enabled by the HTTM are a critical part of warfighter readiness, and the mission directly aligns with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035, which 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 to Host Industry Day Tobyhanna Army Depot will host an in-person Industry Day event on Thursday, August 24 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The event will include briefings on depot partnership and contracting opportunities as well as tours of Tobyhanna’s industrial operations. Industry representatives, prospective vendors, and businesses with a focus on service and supply related industries are invited to attend and may register here 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 3,200 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 empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
