Respect, trust, and accountability – Gilchrist earns Supervisor of the Quarter through expertise and values

For his strong leadership, subject matter expertise, and stabilization of a crucial depot program, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) Tactical Missile Branch Chief Don Gilchrist has been named TYAD’s latest Supervisor of the Quarter.

Over the course of a three-decade career, Gilchrist has worn many hats. An Air Force veteran, Gilchrist carried on his family’s tradition of service to our nation. He served and worked for the Air Force for 16 years before joining the ranks of Team Tobyhanna as an Army civilian over a decade ago.

Gilchrist’s appointment as Tactical Missile Branch Chief is the latest chapter of an accomplished and dynamic depot career that has included time spent in tactical radio, satellite communications, and in Sidewinder missiles as both a Production Controller and most recently as a Logistics Management Specialist. As branch chief, Gilchrist oversees three weapons programs – Sidewinder, Maverick, and Harpoon.

Gilchrist’s approach to ensuring the branch is successful in completing its mission of providing readiness to our warfighters is two-pronged. Gilchrist first relies on his depot experience, in addition to his Air Force munitions experience, as a firsthand playbook for how to best meet the needs of customers and set members of his team up for success.

“32 years I’ve been doing the same thing. When the customer comes in or the customer calls, when they talk about the program and things that they need, I totally understand where they’re coming from,” said Gilchrist. “In the same way, I can look at my employees and understand where they’re coming from and say, ‘I was where you are.’”

Perhaps, most importantly, Gilchrist’s experience has been instrumental in shaping his leadership style.

“It’s like [Tobyhanna Army Depot Deputy Commander] Rob Lantka says, and it’s right from the military – respect, trust, accountability – I expect that in my workers, and my workers should expect that in me. Accountability is very important – we all have a mission to do, and we owe it to the warfighter to deliver a top product.”

Gilchrist believes in order to be a successful leader, create a positive workplace, and in turn maximize efficiency, one must seek to understand their employees while maintaining a healthy supervisor-employee relationship.

“I understand you have a supervisor side to things, and you have to be the supervisor. But learning our people is a component, I believe, of being a good supervisor. They’re not just a name, they’re just not a number on a form that you sign – they are human beings, and you have to establish those relationships.”

When the branch was in need of a leader and at risk of falling behind on orders, depot leadership knew Gilchrist’s extensive knowledge and commitment to the values of respect, trust, and accountability made him an ideal candidate. After agreeing to an initial 120-day assignment, 120 became 240, and 240 became 360 until the position was posted and earned by Gilchrist.

In nominating Gilchrist for the Supervisor of the Quarter award, TYAD Avionics Division Chief John Stochla said, due in large part to Gilchrist’s leadership, the branch has enjoyed improved performance. A particular point of pride is the Sidewinder workload meeting its performance-to-promise schedules and assets per month goals, despite past challenges including parts obsolescence, lightning delays, humidity control issues, and test equipment sustainment issues.

Stochla said Gilchrist’s expertise and leadership style work in harmony to foster a healthy working environment in which employees can enjoy their work while best supporting our nation’s warfighters.

“As a subject matter expert from his years of working in the shop and his time as the Logistics Management Specialist for the Sidewinder Program, he is uniquely qualified to oversee this complex workload. Due to this experience, he has been able to identify bottlenecks in the process and make timely decisions to address them,” said Stochla. “Don promotes teamwork and employee development and displays a high level of energy and enthusiasm. He gives direction, provides guidance, and fields any questions or concerns that his employees might have. He takes the time to listen to their concerns and takes appropriate action. He passes information up to keep his chain of command informed, whether it is a good or bad news story. He exemplifies the Army core values, and it shows. He is respected by his peers and employees.”

Gilchrist said he owes a great deal of the success he has enjoyed to his team and tries to pay it forward every chance he gets.

“I can sit there as supervisor and say do this, do that, or puff myself up – it means absolutely nothing. You have to have a good team, and I have a great team. I can’t say enough good things about them and the hours that they put in,” said Gilchrist.

“I’ve had a lot of good mentors over time to say go this direction or try this or try that. And I’ve tried to do that same thing with the younger employees I have to give them direction because they’re the future, and I want to empower them to say you can do whatever you want.”

When he’s not at Tobyhanna, Gilchrist enjoys camping and serves as the Pastor of Lakeville Community Church in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania.