Tobyhanna Celebrates Employees During Engineers Week

Tobyhanna Army Depot observed Engineers Week from February 20-26 by shining a spotlight on some of its outstanding engineers.

Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, the observance brings attention to the skills and contributions of engineers worldwide. Tobyhanna employs more than 300 engineers in a variety of disciplines, including chemical; civil; computer; electrical; electronics; industrial; mechanical; and software engineering.

Civil Engineer Nicolas Stoker of the Installation Services Directorate plays an important role for Team Tobyhanna. The depot newcomer leads the Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization team and currently manages more than $40M in modernization projects across the depot – within the gates and beyond.

A lifelong interest in construction led Stoker to the field of civil engineering, which encompasses a variety of infrastructure services such as utilities, water, and wastewater services.

“Most people don’t realize that civil engineers build far more than bridges and roads,” he said, adding that his position with Team Tobyhanna is truly gratifying.

“While construction projects are never easy, I appreciate reaching the end goal, which is making sure everyone on Team Tobyhanna can do their jobs. It is satisfying to see an empty warehouse transform into a state-of-the-art facility that supports our mission and, ultimately, the warfighter.”

Stoker is no stranger to military processes after attending the Military College of South Carolina –more commonly known as The Citadel – as a civilian to earn his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He says the experience was invaluable.

“Attending The Citadel helped shape me as a team member and a person.”

Stoker’s teammates applauded his contributions to the team and Tobyhanna’s mission.

“Nic is a one of the most focused, diligent, organized, attentive, and driven engineers I have ever worked with. He motivates other members of the team and sets a good example for other engineers as well as technicians,” said Chris Sheerer, chief of the Site Installation and Satellite Communication Engineering branch in the Production Engineering Directorate.

Mechanical Engineer Jenny Battenberg also earned accolades for her technical skill, tenacity and passion.

“Jenny is hardworking, dedicated to her programs and strong-willed. She is not afraid to say how she feels about something and I admire that in her. I am thankful to call her a teammate,” said Nathan Thomas, deputy director of Production Engineering.

As a young person, Battenberg did not aspire to a career in mechanical engineering. Unsure of her long-term goals, she applied and was accepted to Walt Disney World’s (WDW’s) intern program – an experience that taught her lessons she uses today.

“Working at WDW was an adventure and everything they do comes down to design – just like my job at Tobyhanna. I remember being amazed at how carefully they planned swapping out holiday décor at the park. Inspired by their ingenuity, I’ve used similar strategies when managing my own projects.”

Battenberg currently supports a variety of fabrication-focused engineering projects, which require her to travel to exotic locates like Japan, Iceland and the United Arab Emirates. Many of the programs have grown after customers responded positively to the impressive engineering support provided by Battenberg and her team.

When asked about the key to her success, Battenberg says the answer is simple.

“I have great co-workers,” she said, laughing. “I also believe that it is important to be honest, have humility, and be open to feedback.”

In her spare time, Jenny enjoys exploring her creative side through interior design and crafting. She also enjoys baking and cooking – skills passed down through the strong and impactful women in her family.

Outstanding Electrical Engineers like Jason Metzger play an integral role in supporting C5ISR readiness for America’s warfighters, according to Chip Tracewski.

“Jason has been critical to the success of the satellite communications programs he supports,” he said. “His calm demeanor and attitude toward supporting his customers are a valuable asset to Tobyhanna Army Depot.” Tracewski leads the Production Engineering Directorate’s C4 & Logistics Engineering Division.

A graduate of Penn State, Metzger started his depot career in 2004 as an electronics worker on the production floor and spent four years repairing avionics equipment. Although he was not working in his degreed field, Metzger says the experience was beneficial nonetheless.

“There is often a disconnect between production shops and their support teams. Working on both sides has helped me better understand the needs of my customers,” adding that he tries to use this experiential knowledge to educate the general depot population.

“One thing I wish everyone knew was that even though their requests seem easy to complete, engineering-related tasks are often more time-consuming and complex than you would think. Helping Team Tobyhanna understand why we do what we do is key.”

Metzger’s cross-functional experience also includes time working in the Strategic Initiatives Office, learning about the depot activation and business development processes. In addition, he participated in a nanofabrication educational program at Penn State.

Metzger’s co-workers say he is a true asset to Team Tobyhanna.

“I’ve had the good fortune of working alongside Jason for many years. He is an extremely conscientious and professional engineer who possesses exceptional technical skills that allow him to quickly solve problems and effectively bridge the gap between the theoretical and practical sides of engineering,” said Thomas Ondrey, an electronics engineer in the Production Engineering Directorate.

While Metzger appreciates the accolades, he noted that none of his success was accomplished alone.

“I owe it all to the amazing team I work with every day.”

In his free time, Jason enjoys spending time with family, his two dogs, and being outdoors.

The technical expertise of Team Tobyhanna’s engineers is integral to its mission and long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028, which has four focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications. TOBY2028 aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.