Over 3,100 individuals make up Tobyhanna Army Depot’s world-class workforce. Although many of which are worthy of praise, each quarter two employees are named the junior and senior employees of the quarter. For the 4th quarter of 2023, it is Mr. Zachary Long of the Installation Services directorate and Ms. Kristina Nolan of the Resource Management directorate receiving the honors respectively.

Nolan’s career at TYAD defines the idea of “working your way up.” After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Education from Marywood University, she took a job as a Teacher Assistant at Tobyhanna’s on-post Children and Youth center. After two years, she moved into a position supporting to the mission side of TYAD’s operations, working a total of four years as a secretary in the C4ISR and Field Logistics Support directorates.

About halfway through her time as a secretary, she decided to return to college to further her education. Having always had an interest in computers, she was encouraged to pursue a master’s degree in IT Cyber Security from Capella University. It was while earning this degree that she applied for and received the opportunity to work in TYAD’s Information Management Division as an IT Specialist.

Nolan’s employee of the quarter award comes two years into her time as an IT Specialist. She said receiving this distinction is a tremendous accomplishment.

“It is a big accomplishment definitely. It shows that the hard work I have done to this point and will continue to do is recognized and is respected and that means a lot to me,” said Nolan. “Because I know this isn’t just a “my department” kind of an award, it means that I am recognized across the depot for the work I have put in and the things I have accomplished up to this point so that means a lot to me.”

Cyber Security Enterprise Branch (CESB) Chief Sean Hannan serves as Nolan’s supervisor. He lauded her not only for consistently seeking opportunities to better herself, but also her dedication to TYAD’s mission.

“Ms. Nolan’s dedication to mission success was nothing short of exceptional, consistently exceeding her daily mission requirements with unwavering diligence. Throughout this quarter, she took on increased responsibilities and requirements, showcasing a remarkable commitment to surpassing current duties and contributing to the overarching mission objectives of TYAD,” said Hannan. “Not only did she embrace these additional tasks willingly, but she also proactively sought out knowledge to educate herself on the necessary mission systems, demonstrating her selflessness and determination to ensure successful execution.”

Hannan also credited Nolan for serving as a helping hand to her colleagues. After she spearheaded a recent network coverage initiative, she took the time to impart essential knowledge to her teammates, guiding and training them in the proficient utilization of mission systems that were critical to success. She credited developing this mindset to mentors she’s worked with through her time at TYAD.

Nolan said that, in her line of work, being a team player is essential.

“Especially in our department, we definitely have to be cohesive as a team. There’s such a diversity of skills among the team in the CSEB and we help each other to balance all our skills as a community to achieve success. To teach newcomers or people just coming into that department all of the ins and outs and getting accesses and everything is very important,” said Nolan. “There is just so much happening on a daily basis that is behind the scenes that our department has to shift gears quickly so being able to help out in any of the areas and being well rounded in each of the skills helps everyone a lot.”

Nolan credited team in the CSEB for her success.

“I owe a lot to the team I work with in CSEB, they are a group of incredible people, with such knowledge and skillsets,” said Nolan. “Their willingness to share knowledge and communicate so well is a definite contribution to the success of the department and the depot. They’re just a great group of people to work with and for.”

Long is receiving the honor in recognition of a unique maintenance and tracking program he created that is being utilized at TYAD. The creation of this program was a cross-functional effort with the Equipment and Supply Branch that required he go beyond his typical scope of work.

Lancelot Ottley is a supervisor within the Installation Services directorate. He said the initiative Long took to create this program benefits not only the team he works with, but the depot as a whole.

“Long’s exemplary handling of administrative matters attested to his professional knowledge, willingness to accept responsibility, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt himself to any situation,” said Ottley. “His ambitiousness in establishing and managing this program has motivated his peers and increases overall readiness status and sustainability.”

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.