Tobyhanna Celebrates Growth for National Intern Day Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) observed National Intern Day on Jul. 31 by shining a spotlight on depot employees who joined Team Tobyhanna through internship programs. Nikki Collins joined Team Tobyhanna as part of the Pathways Program in the Fall of 2017 as a Budget Analyst in the Resource Management Directorate. She graduated from Misericordia University in May 2018 with bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in accounting. Additionally, she earned her Master of Business Administration degree from West Chester University in 2021. At the beginning of her depot career Collins served in a part-time capacity, working up to three days a week while continuing to attend classes at Misericordia. Upon graduating, she was offered full-time employment and was able to seamlessly pick up where she left off. Collins said that while she was in college, she was initially unaware of the opportunities that existed at TYAD. “Considering the mission, people don’t often realize that administrative positions are needed on military installations. While in college, I thought it was primarily military personnel working on post. Once I realized that they offer internships to civilians in college, that was when I started to do the research into what the mission was here,” said Collins. “That’s when I thought ‘Oh wow, that has got to be a really great place to work.’ Just coming on-post for the interview amazed me at how expansive the depot was. It was unlike any other workplace I’ve seen. Collins said that her job offers her a bit of everything, ensuring that each workday is unique and never gets stale. “The one part that I really love about my job is that I have some routine functions, which helps to build a rapport working with the same people and I’m able to build some confidence in the work that I’m repeatedly doing, but now I’ve also been pulled on to some special teams and to work on new projects,” said Collins. “That helps keeps things fresh.” As a member of the Program Budget and Execution Division, Collins said the main roles of the group she supports is to monitor key performance indicators, like revenue, expenses, and direct labor hours, and to calculate cost center rates. Recently, the team has taken on some extra roles, such as calculating machine costing rates. They also support TYAD’s Command Group by creating presentations containing statistical analysis. Aside from a stint as Command Intern in 2019, she has served as a member of the budget team for the entirety of her tenure. With the mission of TYAD being so vast and varied, those completely new to the installation often go through an adjustment period before they understand the breadth of the operations. Collins said her time as an intern was crucial to helping her get up to speed when she was offered full-time employment. “For those first six or seven months as an intern, I was getting acclimated to who the point people are for certain projects and getting familiar with some of the work. I think it took some of the pressure off when I started full time employment,” said Collins. “When you take classes, a lot of it is geared toward the private sector, because that’s most businesses out there. Coming here early gave me some valuable hands-on experience. My teammates also showed me a variety of things which helped me get a good idea of what projects interested me in relation to what goes on here.” Although Collins’ time as an intern has long passed, she said she is still surprised to learn about some of the things that happen on the depot. “Having been here for eight years this fall, it still amazes me learning what everybody does here. The longer you’re here and the more projects that you get involved in or the more articles you read, it’s incredible to learn what goes on here,” said Collins. “Tobyhanna’s size and how far reaching all its activities are just very impressive.” Collins said she is grateful for her career at Tobyhanna as it has offered her healthy, stable, and meaningful employment in the area she calls home. “It was always my plan to stay in Northeastern Pennsylvania, but I just didn’t know if that was going to be possible. My sisters had to relocate to Philadelphia, so I thought maybe I’d have to move into a bigger city, but it was just amazing to be able to stay local,” said Collins. “Tobyhanna did shape my future. I’ve been able to buy a home here so it’s great to stay close to the family, and I have had the opportunity to grow here professionally. There are so many opportunities if you go out and seek them.” Having had family members who have served in the military, Collins said her favorite part about coming to work every day is supporting a mission she takes pride in. “No matter where you go on the depot, you know that we are all collectively working towards the same mission of helping our warfighters get the repairs, equipment, and everything else that they need on time. That sense of pride, I don’t know that I would find that working somewhere else. I love that,” said Collins. “My team is also just the best. We work so incredibly well together. They care about me on a personal and professional level, and they make me want to come in and do well every day. We bounce ideas off each other and are just a well-oiled machine that works so well together.” In her free time, Collins said she loves to be outside, work on her house, walk her dog, live an active lifestyle, and spend time with her family. What started as a cooperative internship became the foundation for a career built on purpose and growth for UAS Program Manager Chris Volch. The Student Temporary Experience Program, also called STEP, provided Volch the opportunity for on-the-job training while pursuing an associate’s degree in electronics from Luzerne County Community College. The internship turned into full-time employment in 2004, with Volch supporting Tobyhanna’s avionics missions as an electronics worker. For Volch, taking on a full-time role at the depot was more than just “getting a job” – it was the culmination of hard work. The position offered the chance to make an impact on his country, provided direct paths for both personal and professional transformation, and allowed him to build a meaningful life in the community. Several years of working in the avionics production area gave Volch the experience and insight to pivot into a position as a management analyst in the Production Management Directorate. He says gaining institutional knowledge was key to success in this subsequent role. “The advantage of coming up from the production area was that I already had a network and experience with the hands-on work. From that effort, I was able to use my experience to effectively support a different side of our mission.” Learning from logisticians and other production support personnel further enhanced Volch’s skill set, leading him to his longest-held position as a logistics management specialist in the Strategic Initiatives Directorate. In this role, Volch transitions workload through the depot activation and pre-production planning processes. Over the years, he has successfully onboarded dozens of programs – most recently, the maintenance, repair, and overhaul capability for the critical MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system. Passionate about personal evolution, Volch has pursued countless training courses and degree programs to grow his abilities. Since graduating from college, he’s gone on to complete a bachelor’s degree in project management, and will soon finish his master of business administration degree. He also earned his Project Management Professional certification, along with earning valuable leadership experience in the Practical Introduction to Supervising Employees program. Although he hasn’t served in uniform, a voluntary civilian deployment to Southwest Asia instilled Volch with a greater understanding of warfighter readiness needs – a skill critical to his position. “I have experienced the ‘voice of the customer,’ which drives me to be a good steward of our taxpayer dollars and the equipment of our warfighters,” he said. “My broad experience helps me focus on comprehensive program success.” Volch says he owes a lot to his early mentors, especially engineer Ken Stuccio—who had a knack for pushing people to level up. “Ken was big on finishing what you start, and following through to completion,” Volch said. “He made sure I stayed motivated, and that mindset stuck with me. Ken had a unique way of communicating how well you were performing through his ‘creative’ rating system, and let’s just say it wasn’t great if you were a ‘1”. Volch’s colleagues can attest to the impact of Stuccio’s teachings, noting that he often uses the same philosophy when mentoring and coaching others. For Volch, growth is more than just a goal – it’s a way to better serve the Tobyhanna mission and, more importantly, his family. The lessons he has learned in a 20+ year career have shaped his identity and made him a better husband to Holly and father to Jack. In his limited spare time, he notes that he strives to live life to the fullest. “I love dragging my wife up mountains in the Adirondacks she swore she’d never climb—she pretends to hate it, but I know she secretly loves the view (and maybe the snacks). Playing hide and seek with my son Jack is basically Olympic-level at this point—he’s got hiding skills, but he can’t stop laughing so I find him every time. I’m all about bombing down trails on my mountain bike, paddling the Susquehanna like I’m on some epic expedition, and heading into the woods with my dad and uncles for some good ol’ hunting (and storytelling, of course),” he effused. Like many others, electronics worker Joshua Littlejohn sought federal employment for more than “just a job.” The 2024 Johnson College graduate was looking for a dynamic career, and the Peckville native says he’s on the right track with Team Tobyhanna. A lifelong passion for hands-on work propelled Littlejohn along a winding path, albeit one shaped by curiosity. His high school vocational-technical experiences provided mechanical and automotive repair knowledge, while early coursework at Johnson taught the fundamentals of diesel mechanics and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Littlejohn also gained technical experience working as a cable installer and interning for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. After earning an associate’s degree in computer information technology, Littlejohn was equipped with a unique set of skills that have proven beneficial in his current role supporting avionics missions at Tobyhanna Army Depot. “Having experience working with different hardware systems has been helpful when it comes to working on circuit card assemblies and other pars of our workload,” he noted, adding that he values the opportunity to support Tobyhanna’s critical C5ISR readiness missions. “I appreciate being part of something like Tobyhanna – it allows me to learn about different weapons systems, pursue opportunities, and support our warfighters.” Community is vitally important to Littlejohn, who serves as a volunteer firefighter for the Blakely Hose Company alongside several family members. His penchant for giving back to others also earned him a position as an adjunct instructor at his alma mater, where he’ll help train the next generation of Johnson College students. He says the opportunity is exciting. “I enjoy helping others reach their goals and grow. Seeing others evolve is a great feeling.” Littlejohn’s other passion in life is music. A drummer since childhood, he often plays alongside his father, George, and attends as many concerts as he can with his girlfriend. His musical tastes run from The Beatles to the Moody Blues to Metallica and beyond. He says discovering new music is more than just a hobby for him – it’s an adventure. Reflecting upon his time as an intern, Littlejohn noted that it was the people who shaped the experience. “I have had a lot of mentors here at the depot, really, too many to mention. But I have to give a big thank you to Kevin Berry, Frank Gervasi, Mike Gerrity, Joe Weisgable and Mark Staples for helping me along the way,” he emphasized.
Tobyhanna Veterans Hart and Shields Continue to Serve Patrick Hart and Jaime Shields are continuing to serve their nation, the warfighters who protect it, and their fellow veterans as dedicated members of Tobyhanna’s civilian workforce. These two patriotic Americans join several hundred veterans who serve among the ranks of Team Tobyhanna. Each July 25, National Hire a Veteran Day is observed as a call to action for employers to recruit and hire veterans. From the heart of the country to the heart of a ship, Patrick Hart served his nation in the Navy for 20 years. Hart’s fascination with the sea and the ships that traverse it began far away from the sea in the middle of the country. Hart spent 10 years of his childhood and adolescence in Arkansas and while there had an eye-opening experience. “When I was in the 8th grade, a group of Navy boats – amphibious boats and tugboats – came up the Arkansas River. I got to go out on them and thought one day I want to drive these things,” said Hart. Combine that passion for seafaring with a history of service that includes his grandfather serving in World War I; his father serving in World War II; his uncle serving in Korea; his brother serving in Vietnam; and his sister serving in the Gulf War, Hart found himself sailing the seas as a proud member of the U.S. Navy just five years later. Over the course of a 20-year Navy career that stretched from 1985-2005, Hart reached the rank of E-6, or Petty Officer First Class. Hart spent much of his 20 year career at sea, including 13 years as “the heart of every ship” – the boatswain’s mate and five years with the Navy’s construction force, the Seabees. Hart’s travels took the boy from Arkansas who wanted to see the world to just about every corner of it. His voyages included South America, the western Pacific, the Mediterranean, the north Atlantic, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and Panama. Of all these spots, Hart said Palma, Spain, was his favorite for the nice beaches and friendly people. Hart continued his service to our nation when he joined the ranks of Team Tobyhanna in February of 2007 as part of a mass hiring event for the creation of a second shift. Hart worked as a painter until recently transitioning to a role that puts him in charge of all hazardous materials inside the shop and on the road. This critical role ensures the shop has the supplies it needs to provide the finest quality products to our nation’s warfighters at peak efficiency. Hart said his depot career is an extension of his service. “Veterans’ creed doesn’t end just because we retire, our oath of office doesn’t end just because we retire. This is a way to give back,” said Hart. When not at work, Hart enjoys spending time with his wife of 24 years, hiking, hunting, reading military stories and history, and aiding veterans who are in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Fresh out of high school, Shields began serving our nation in June 2001 by providing Information Management support to the United States Air Force. Serving for a total of eight years, she spent the majority of her time on active-duty orders at the Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. She spent the latter part of her military career as a member of the National Guard, which ran concurrent to her joining of Team Tobyhanna in 2007 as a Branch Secretary. Shields said she was drawn to the military primarily due to the opportunities it offered her. “There was nobody that I knew of connected to the military. It was more so the opportunities that the military would provide that were appealing. I didn’t really have any plans to go to college, and it got to where I am today,” said Shields. “I joined before my senior year of high school, so I kind of made that decision early. I just thought that was the best plan. It worked out because I was living in Hawaii!” Shields’ military career ended in 2009 after serving for eight years. She said that the transition from serving in an active-duty capacity to a civilian capacity was eased by both being a Tobyhanna, PA native and following the Army Core Values. “The discipline, the culture, and just the military tradition, it stays with you,” said Shields. “Having respect for the chain of command and having an understanding of how you work within the mission helps a lot.” Hart agreed with Shields, and said veterans bring invaluable skill sets and work ethic to Team Tobyhanna and beyond. “Anywhere in the community, a veteran would be good. We’re disciplined and we’re dedicated,” said Hart. “Veterans at Tobyhanna know what it’s like to be on the other end of receiving the gear, so we want to make sure our comrades get the best equipment.” Shields emphasized the importance of hiring veterans and how granting them positions at government installations like TYAD eases the transition into civilian life. “The most important thing about hiring veterans is the transition from active-duty or reserve over to a government job like Tobyhanna. Hiring veterans does a lot in making them feel wanted and still offers them the ability to support the warfighter,” said Shields. “It keeps them around military terms, traditions, and ceremonies which is especially important to make somebody feel like they belong. Being able to continue those values on to another place, I think, is significant.” Following her time as a Branch Secretary, Shields served for 10 years as a Command Secretary with TYAD’s Command Group. It was while working there that she was encouraged by her leadership to explore new opportunities and to take some college courses to discover her passion. After some trial and error, Shields realized that she wanted to make a career out of helping people. She transitioned to a role withing TYAD’s Employee Wellness Center in 2020 and further made that desire a reality when she graduated from Misericordia University with a 4.0 GPA in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Looking to deeper her education, she then attended Marywood University and earned a master’s degree just one year later in 2024. In addition to her responsibilities as a Community Support Advocate, Shields also runs the installation’s Veteran Support Group. Here, veterans can connect, share experiences, stories, and values in a place where everybody comes together in a place feeling like they belong and are supported. “When someone is transitioning out of active-duty or long-term service, the Veterans Support Group can serve as a place of belonging, connection, and support. Here, veterans can talk to other people who have experienced similar things as them such as boot camp or deployment into a combat zone,” said Shields. “It makes a difference when they’re together with a group of people who share those life experiences, especially when it comes to combat or deployments, because there’s a different understanding of what it’s like to have a family and to have to leave that family behind.” Hart participates in the group and lauded both Shields and the tremendous resource she facilitates, highlighting the valuable information about community veterans organizations. “The peer-to-peer group that Jaime runs is an awesome, awesome group. I get to hear about different stories and events. I love supporting VFWs and American Legions in what they’re doing, and this is a way to find out what they’re doing.” Shields says she is consistently impressed by the strong sense of community the group fosters and how quickly everyone comes together to have each other’s backs. “The biggest impact that I’ve seen is when somebody in the group is struggling with something, whether it’s related to being a veteran or related to their personal life, they receive instant support,” said Shields. “Someone may walk into the group feeling upset and in need some help and everybody just comes together to surround the individual and give them support. Whether they share resources, connections that they have, or just offer empathy in supporting somebody through a hard time.” To veterans who are on the fence about attending the group sessions, Shields said her message is to just give it a try, adding that just because you come once it doesn’t mean you need to come again. ‘The biggest thing that I would say is to just come once. If you come once, it doesn’t mean that you must come all the time. If you have any questions about what we do, what we talk about, or what it’s like feel free to call me, because I’d rather you come and see if you like it,” said Shields. “It’s not a dramatic therapeutic group that you would see on television. We don’t sit in a circle and talk about our feelings all the time. Sometimes we may do that if somebody’s going through something or if there’s a topic we need to discuss, but really, it’s just a place for veterans to come and connect with each other.”
Tobyhanna Partners with General Atomics on Unmanned Aircraft System Photo credit: Justin Kucharski Tobyhanna Army Depot, in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), proudly marked the successful launch of a critical unmanned aircraft system (UAS) maintenance, repair, and overhaul capability that strengthens support for a force that’s agile, modernized, and mission-ready. Tobyhanna Army Depot hosted GA-ASI project leadership for a ribbon cutting on July 29 to formally commemorate the depot’s full test, diagnose, repair and return capability for the MQ-9 Reaper Ground Control Station’s Linux processors, file server, and control consoles. This public-private partnership, or P3, directly aligns with Army and Department of Defense transformation initiatives seeking to facilitate a leaner and more agile Army through development of modernized UAS capabilities, as highlighted in the memo titled “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance.” In it, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described drones as “the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation.” The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-large UAS supporting a payload of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and munitions equipment; this asset provides both intelligence and combat power to our warfighters on the battlefield of the future. After being named the Depot Source of Repair for Shelters; Ground Electronics; Command; Control; Communications and Intelligence for Reaper Ground Control Systems in 2013, Tobyhanna’s work to develop this capability in coordination with GA-ASI began nearly a decade ago. Over the course of the partnership, Tobyhanna and GA-ASI collaborated to develop technical manuals, training aides, specialized test equipment, and test program sets to facilitate efficient repair processes at Tobyhanna. Joining an already vast portfolio of UAS capabilities, the success of this partnership is the latest in a long series of astute, forward-focused investments by depot leadership to proactively supplement the depot’s impressive capabilities, adapt to meet the needs of our nation’s warfighters, and reaffirm Tobyhanna’s position as a leading readiness provider for an evolving force and battlefield. During remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by depot leadership and General Atomics representatives, Depot Commander Col. Benjamin L. Kilgore said endeavors like this one strengthen Tobyhanna’s position as a leading readiness provider across the joint force. “I see Tobyhanna as a purple readiness provider, meaning we serve all branches of America’s armed forces. Just as America’s armed forces collectively serve to defend our nation, the success of this partnership is a testament to the collective effort of everyone in involved in this project,” said Kilgore. He continued to say that Tobyhanna, bolstered by its dynamic civilian workforce, is ready to deliver excellent and efficient readiness to the next generation of warfighters. “Today’s battlefield is rapidly transforming, yet Team Tobyhanna consistently raises the bar to deliver high-quality results. Your dedication and adaptability prove that Tobyhanna Army Depot can continue to thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment.” This P3 is the latest of hundreds of partnerships fostered by the P3 program since its inception in 1994. Christopher Volch, UAS Project Manager, emphasized that the success of the effort was driven by the dedication and contributions of the team members involved from start to finish. “At every step, our people have been our greatest strength. In long-term efforts like this, not everything will always go according to plan; however, each team member met the challenges with remarkable resilience. The team’s dedication and collaborative approach reflect the core values of our organization and set the tone for Tobyhanna’s promising future supporting UAS products,” said Volch. David King, General Atomics Senior Program Manager, U.S. Air Force Contractor Logistic Support, said it is rewarding to see years of hard work, determination, and collaboration between the two organizations pay off with a successful activation that will benefit warfighters today and tomorrow. “People may not realize all it takes to stand something like this up,” said King. “There were challenges and lessons learned along the way, but what stands out to me is the great partnership fostered between Tobyhanna Army Depot and GA-ASI. We have the resources, the talent, and the capabilities. I am very proud of all involved.”
Tobyhanna Army Depot Achieves Corrosion Control Accreditation Painter Ashley Lancia (far right), along with Thomas Petroski, meet with Kemper during the audit. (Photo Credit: Justin Kucharski) Tobyhanna Army Depot is the first government organization to earn accreditation through the Association for Material Protection and Performance (AMPP), affirming the organization’s position as the leading provider of readiness for the U.S. Armed Forces. After a comprehensive audit from Jul. 9-10, Tobyhanna obtained AMPP’s QP1 accreditation, which certifies excellence in steel work and field coating applications; the QP3 accreditation, which certifies excellence in shop coating applications; and the AS3-ITO accreditation, which certifies excellence in training courses and facilities. Only 500 companies worldwide maintain AMPP certifications. Kris Kemper and Michael Damiano from AMPP conducted the audit on their first visit to Tobyhanna. The duo praised Tobyhanna’s facilities and workforce. “I have been to many other military bases and Tobyhanna is the best,” said Kemper. “From your exceptional processes to the cleanliness of the facility, Tobyhanna’s workforce truly cares about their mission – and it shows.” Kemper serves as a technical services consultant for AMPP, while Damiano serves as a program director. Tobyhanna pursued AMPP accreditation to enhance its abilities to protect military weapons systems from deterioration, according to Fabrication & Component Refinishing Division Chief Thomas Petroski. “The DOD spends countless dollars every year combating corrosion, something that compromises the safety and readiness of our warfighters. By gaining this accreditation, Tobyhanna is meeting a critical need for our military,” he said. During the audit, AMPP officials identified several best practices across the installation – such as the innovative and intentional employee training programs, specifically within the corrosion control and refinishing realms. Since 2008, Tobyhanna has used the virtual reality Spray Technique Analysis and Research for Defense (STAR4D) system to provide hands-on, immersive training for refinishing artisans. The depot also provides dozens of other trainings related to surface preparation and coating application from both in-house instructors and industry experts. Resource Management Directorate officials say Tobyhanna spends upwards of $6M per year on workforce development. Damiano and Kemper applauded Tobyhanna’s holistic approach to workforce development. “Tobyhanna’s training programs are phenomenal and are well above what is available in private industry,” they said. Depot leaders attribute the accomplishments to the dedication of the depot workforce. “The AMPP accreditations are a reflection of the expertise of our workforce and their passion for providing American warriors with the very best support,” said Depot Commander Col. Benjamin L. Kilgore. “Becoming the first in the DOD to achieve this goal didn’t happen by accident – and this success proves that no one does it better than Team Tobyhanna.” Christopher Musso, Tobyhanna’s Director of Quality, agreed. “This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and the unparalleled dedication of every member of Team Tobyhanna. To be the first government organization to earn this level of recognition speaks volumes about our proactive approach to protecting and sustaining military assets and, ultimately, safeguarding our warfighters.” AMPP’s Kris Kemper (right) reviews documentation with Training Specialist Carmelo Rivera. Tobyhanna’s comprehensive training programs were lauded by AMPP during the accreditation audit. (Photo Credit: Justin Kucharski) Michael Damiano (right) from AMPP reviews visual management boards in Tobyhanna’s mission work areas. Thomas Petroski and Quality Assurance Specialist William Stevens (left) were also present. (Photo Credit: Justin Kucharski)
Tobyhanna Employees Strengthen Service Skills through Leadership Lackawanna Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is proudly recognizing five ascending leaders who have graduated from Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program. Since its founding in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna, which is an affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, has trained more than 2,400 leaders and completed over 150 community projects. Core Program participants step up to transform public spaces and serve local nonprofit needs. The 2024–2025 class is no exception as they have delivered innovative, hands-on solutions across Lackawanna County, learning lessons they’ll apply to their positions at Tobyhanna Army Depot This year’s esteemed TYAD graduates are Management Analyst Anne Cherundolo, Electronics Mechanic Leader John Kasaczun, General Equipment Mechanic Leader Matthew Lukeski, Management Assistant Tracey Scott, and Electronics Mechanic Supervisor Jesse Tutino. Over the course of ten months, participants met monthly to dive into hands-on leadership training, learning from an array of regional experts and professionals. Beyond the classroom, they rolled up their sleeves to plan and execute community service projects—directly supporting the missions of local nonprofit organizations. Tutino said he was grateful for the opportunity TYAD provided him to develop a deeper understanding of the community he calls home. “Being a part of Leadership Lackawanna gave me the amazing opportunity to build relationships within my local community. The experience gave me an understanding of the professional network within NEPA, the good nature of local businesses, and helped me to learn and grow as a leader,” said Tutino. “I am privileged that Tobyhanna afforded me the opportunity to participate in such a great program!” The 2024-2025 Core Program participants tackled five ambitious community service projects aimed at enhancing local nonprofit spaces across Lackawanna County. From renovating the lobby of Griffin Pond Animal Shelter to upgrading the outdoor play area at United Neighborhood Centers’ Bellevue Child Care Center, each effort addressed real needs with lasting impact. Other initiatives included converting an unused backstage area at IMAGINE NEPA into a functional space for performers, restoring the deteriorating train platform at Carbondale’s historic station, and designing peaceful meditation rooms at the Scranton Counseling Center (SCC). Together, these projects reflect the program’s mission to build leadership through service and strengthen the communities of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Scott served on the SCC Team that took two empty storage rooms and created two separate therapy/mediation rooms, one for adults and one for children and teens. She said she found the experience to be rewarding and helped her meet new, like-minded passionate individuals. “My Leadership Lackawanna experience was deeply gratifying. I not only connected with 42 amazing new friends but also found a community passionately working to uplift neighborhoods, improve lives, and ensure homeless cats find loving homes,” said Scott. “Hearing that the clients of the SCC thrive in the new spaces we created made all the effort truly worthwhile.” Cherundolo and Lukeski worked on the project team supporting United Neighborhood Centers’ Bellevue Child Care Center. They helped successfully raise approximately $15,000 through monetary and in-kind donations. Cherundolo shared how the project positively impacted local youth and said the experience was deeply rewarding, noting that the team’s efforts truly paid off. “The funding allowed us to renovate the outdoor play area for the children, add new musical toys, balance toys, chalkboards, and sandboxes, along with a privacy fence to enhance safety,” said Cherundolo. “Although the project required significant time and effort, seeing the children enjoy their improved play area made it all worthwhile.” Reflecting on the experience, Lukeski emphasized the personal and professional growth he gained throughout the program. “My time in Leadership Lackawanna forced us to rely on each other and build teamwork abilities. It became critical to treat it just as my position here at work, giving it the same time and care to get the most out of it while delivering the best possible outcome,” said Lukeski. “The project was challenging but very rewarding and it connected us to the local community. The 10 months of classes gave me new skills and ideas to utilize, as well as sharpen the ones I already had which I hope improves the performance of my teams and I here at Tobyhanna.” Kasaczun echoed similar sentiments, highlighting both the professional development and sense of purpose he found through the program. “The opportunity taught me valuable leadership skills and gave me a meaningful way to give back to my community,” said Kasaczun. “Overall, it was a rewarding and memorable experience.” Kasaczun added that plans to bring the skills he honed through Leadership Lackawanna—such as empathy, compassion, mindfulness, and active listening—back to his role at TYAD. He aims to strengthen teamwork and foster a deeper sense of community within his team. Kasaczun also recognizes the value in knowing when to lead with words and when to lead by example, an approach he believes will help drive mission success. With new skills, stronger networks, and a shared sense of purpose, these five professionals are well on their way to shaping a brighter future for both TYAD and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Image Descriptions: Leadership Graduates: Tobyhanna Army Depot is proudly recognizing five ascending leaders who have graduated from Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program. Since its founding in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna has trained more than 2,400 leaders and completed over 150 community projects. Leadership Photo #1: Anne Cherundolo and Matthew Lukeski worked on the project team supporting United Neighborhood Centers’ Bellevue Child Care Center. They helped successfully raise approximately $15,000 through monetary and in-kind donations. Leadership Photo #2: Tracey Scott served on the Scranton Counseling Center Team that took two empty storage rooms and created two separate therapy/mediation rooms, one for adults and one for children and teens. Leadership Photo #3: John Kasaczun added that plans to bring the skills he honed through Leadership Lackawanna—such as empathy, compassion, mindfulness, and active listening—back to his role at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Leadership Photo #4: Jesse Tutino said he was grateful for the opportunity TYAD provided him to develop a deeper understanding of the community he calls home.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Places Col. Benjamin Kilgore in Command Pictured Left: Col. James L. Crocker; Pictured Right: Col. Benjamin Kilgore; (Photo credit: Justin Kucharski) Tobyhanna Army Depot ushered in a new era of leadership poised to shape the future of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest industrial employer. Col. James L. Crocker relinquished command of Tobyhanna Army Depot to Col. Benjamin Kilgore during a military ceremony on June 25. Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, presided over the ceremony. Also in attendance was the depot workforce, elected officials, community partners, and members of the Crocker and Kilgore families. Col. Crocker departs Tobyhanna and will take a new assignment in Army Materiel Command’s G3. In his departing remarks, he celebrated his time leading the DOD’s choice readiness provider. “At Tobyhanna, we ensure C5ISR readiness for warfighters worldwide. Our accomplishments, over the past two years, while important for us as an organization, were all aimed at delivering key warfighting capabilities at speed and scale,” emphasizing the vast importance of the organization’s newest mission. “The establishment of our microelectronics facility, which was unveiled earlier this month, has positioned Tobyhanna as the only organic supplier of circuit card assemblies for our warfighters, reducing the need to rely upon external sources.” Kilgore is the depot’s 36th commander and most recently served as the chief of staff at Defense Logistics Agency Energy. He holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville and a Masters in Managerial Logistics from North Dakota State University. Prior to attending the Army War College, he was assigned to Army Futures Command, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff G4 for Joint Modernization Command at Fort Bliss, Texas. Kilgore will lead 3,100 employees as depot commander and will be responsible for supporting global readiness for Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (also known as C5ISR) systems across the DOD. In his first address to the Tobyhanna community, Kilgore expressed excitement about his newest assignment. “I am honored to serve as Tobyhanna’s 36th Commander. Across the Department of Defense, Tobyhanna is known as a community of dedicated professionals who ensure that our joint force remains mission ready.” Kilgore also laid out his priorities for the organization’s future, citing its role in the evolution of the U.S. Army. “As we look ahead, Team Tobyhanna will continue to drive forward in alignment with CECOM’s top priorities — particularly in supporting the Army’s transformation strategy and enhancing readiness across the joint force. From sustaining and upgrading C5ISR systems to advancing capabilities in microelectronics, our work ensures that the joint force remains lethal, agile, and technologically superior.”
Tobyhanna Army Depot Chief Al Lyons Named Supervisor of the Quarter Lyons’ excellent leadership is helping Tobyhanna forge the future of its critical cyber mission – one that further cements Tobyhanna as a leading readiness provider for the battlefield of today and the future. Lyons routinely goes above and beyond to ensure mission success and comprehensively contributes to Tobyhanna, its employees, and its continued success in delivering the best value to our nation’s warfighters. A prime example of that commitment to mission came when Lyons served as Acting Cyber Division Chief. Lyons seeks to serve all his peers wherever they may fall in his chain of command. Lyons has worked with members of Tobyhanna’s higher headquarters U.S. Army Materiel Command, or AMC, to support modernization efforts, and worked with AMC headquarters and Tobyhanna personnel to design the Army’s industrial control network architecture. Lyons frequently facilitates customer meetings to proactively set Tobyhanna up for success to meet changing workload and customer requirements and maintain positive customer relationships. In addition to this, Lyons prides himself on being a mentor, both formally and informally. Lyons actively mentors several depot employees across several career paths, met regularly with cyber branch chiefs during his time dual hatting as Acting Cyber Division Chief, encourages employees to expand their abilities through training and self-development, and creates a culture of respect amongst his colleagues. In nominating him for Supervisor of the Quarter, Lyons’ peers said, “Albert has established himself as an integral part of Tobyhanna Army Depot’s future in cybersecurity. He personifies quality leadership and invests himself in the depot’s culture of excellence.” Lyons’ efforts have borne substantial fruit for the depot, including being named the AMC Center of Excellence for the development and control of the ICN. So much so that a new branch, the Cyber Support Branch, was created, and when the depot needed a leader for it, Lyons was the choice to stand it up. In addition to stepping up to dual hat, Lyons has represented Tobyhanna at multiple ICN wargames/engagements, the DOD Maintenance Symposium, and numerous customer visits that have led to workload growth. Lyons said receiving the award was humbling, especially since it came from those who work alongside him every day. “Receiving Supervisor of the Quarter is an honor, especially knowing the nomination came from my team,” said Lyons. A former educator, Lyons attributes his success to the knowledge he has received and his commitment to self-development. “I charted a bit of an unorthodox career path as someone who started as a local educator to navigating a career at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Upon my arrival, I made sure to take advantage of professional development and career opportunities as I continuously upskilled with a focus on understanding the business as well as specializing in cybersecurity. More importantly, I was lucky enough to continuously build relationships with teammates currently in leadership that I owe a debt of gratitude for their mentorship along the way. This sense of community, ability to invest in oneself, and the team’s execution to complete our mission is what makes my job at Tobyhanna more fulfilling than I could’ve expected upon my initial career change.” When he’s not working to equip our nation and its warfighters with the vital tools they need for the battlefield of the future, Lyons dedicates his time to his family. A local product, Lyons went to high school at Wyoming Area and met his wife at Misericordia University. Lyons strives to be the best girl dad he can be to their daughters.
Tobyhanna’s New Microelectronics Facility Shapes Future From left: Anthony Shebelock, Tobyhanna; Martin Nealon, Tobyhanna; Depot Commander Col. James L. Crocker; Army Materiel Command Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Ms. Liz Miranda; CECOM Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV; Jeffrey Burrell, Tobyhanna; and Mark Sgobba, Tobyhanna. With the snip of the scissors, Tobyhanna Army Depot celebrated the official opening of its Microelectronics Manufacturing Facility on Jun. 05, enabling the organization to lead the Department of Defense into a new era of warfighter readiness – one microchip at a time. The depot’s new capability will directly address current supply chain hurdles faced by the U.S. Armed Forces. Like many other industries, the DOD depends on foreign electronics suppliers to provide microelectronics components to develop and sustain weapons systems. This reliance on the global supply chain as well as the emergence of counterfeit parts results in a significant risk for national security. Enter Tobyhanna’s microelectronics facility, where a team of talented engineers and technicians develop repair, manufacturing and testing capabilities for circuit cards required by complex military weapons systems.This operation keeps the DOD’s existing equipment running, meets new technology needs, and, most importantly, reduces reliance on foreign suppliers. The event hosted by Communications-Electronics Command Commanding General, Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV. Also in attendance was Ms. Liz Miranda, Executive Deputy to the Commanding General of Army Materiel Command, other distinguished visitors, depot leaders and members of the workforce. During the keynote address, Miranda emphasized the importance of the new mission. “This facility is a direct investment in Army modernization, enabling us to not only sustain our legacy systems, but to rapidly adapt and integrate cutting-edge technologies into future platforms,” she said, adding that the effort was made possible by the talented members of Team Tobyhanna. “To the workforce of Tobyhanna Army Depot – you are the heart of this operation. Your expertise in C5ISR systems is nationally recognized, and this new facility is designed to empower you, to challenge you, and to provide you with a world-class working environment prioritizing your safety and well-being.” Turinetti shared Miranda’s sentiment, noting the depot’s importance to the Department of Defense overall. “Tobyhanna repeatedly demonstrates value to the Army and other services for their unwavering dedication to innovation,” he said. “None of this would be possible without the expertise, commitment, and ingenuity of the subject matter experts here at Tobyhanna and throughout CECOM. Their dedication to our force and our country allows us to continue modernizing so we can fight and win in any domain.” Lead Electronics Engineer Mark Sgobba has been exploring the potential of a microelectronics facility for Tobyhanna since 2020. He says the effort has been an opportunity for the depot to grow its capabilities, while also embracing agile, future-ready talent. “We enjoy pushing boundaries, embracing challenges and the continuous pursuit of knowledge. I’m very proud of the ME Team we have developed,” he said. The depot first got involved with microelectronics when Sgobba and his colleagues revived the dormant M139 Volcano mine dispensing system through the Service Life Extension Program. Artisans began with an obsolescence and producibility analysis to show that TYAD could support the electrical and mechanical fabrication, assembly, inspection and testing of the dispenser control units for Volcano. The team then got busy developing repair, test and manufacturing capability for 13 different Volcano circuit cards to support U.S. and foreign military sales requirements. The success of the Volcano effort led to missions supporting the AN/TPQ-53, Secure, Mobile, Anti-Jam, Reliable, Tactical Terminal (SMART-T), Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System and more. Depot Commander James L. Crocker says the ribbon cutting was only the start of Tobyhanna’s microelectronics journey. “Today, we celebrated the first milestone in a four-phase project to support microelectronics needs across the DOD. We look forward to expanding our capacity and capability for this critical warfighter readiness mission.” Army Materiel Command Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Liz Miranda tours Tobyhanna’s new Microelectronics Manufacturing Facility, an effort she says is a direct investment in Army modernization. CECOM Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV addresses the crowd during Tobyhanna’s Microelectronics Manufacturing Facility Ribbon Cutting Photo Credits to Justin Kucharski
Tobyhanna Opens Microelectronics Manufacturing Facility WHAT: Tobyhanna Army Depot has officially opened is Microelectronics Manufacturing Facility, where surface mount technology is used to sustain critical military weapons systems. Tobyhanna plays a key role in the DOD, and this new mission expands the organization’s massive capability portfolio. WHEN: Thursday, Jun. 5 at 10 EST WHERE: Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pennsylvania WHY/BACKGROUND: The DOD relies on the global supply chain to provide microelectronics for developing and sustaining military weapons systems. A shortfall in domestic manufacturing and the introduction of counterfeit parts into the supply chain represents a significant risk to operational readiness for the Joint Force. In response to this challenge, Tobyhanna Army Depot is executing a four-phase project to prototype and produce surface mount technology circuit card assemblies (CCAs). Tobyhanna is improving its ability to repair, build, and inspect CCAs, ensuring they last longer and stay reliable. This effort includes studying designs, analyzing supply chain risks, reverse engineering old parts, and creating replicas of outdated components. The goal is to keep the DOD’s existing equipment running, meet new technology needs, and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. This ceremony celebrates Tobyhanna Army Depot reaching operational capability on the microelectronics lab, which enables the depot to repair and manufacture circuit cards for DOD and foreign military sale needs. The future phases will expand capacity and capability at the depot. PARTICIPANTS: Ms. Liz Miranda, executive deputy to the commanding general, Army Materiel Command; Maj. Gen. James Turinetti, commanding general, Amy Communications-Electronics Command; and Col. James L. Crocker, commander of Tobyhanna Army Depot. Media interview available on request. If you wish to attend the ceremony, please RSVP to Danielle Weinschenk, TYAD PA, danielle.e.weinschenk.civ@army.mil. PLEASE NOTE THAT A REAL-ID COMPLIANT IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED TO ACCESS TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Celebrates a Century of Service This June 14, the United States Army celebrates its 250th birthday, and Tobyhanna Army Depot is immensely proud to remain a leading readiness provider after more than a quarter of those years. Much like the Army is one year older than the nation it defends, the citizens of Tobyhanna and the surrounding community have been serving our nation before Tobyhanna Army Depot, or Tobyhanna Signal Depot as it was called at the time, opened its doors Feb. 1, 1953. The Army’s origins in Tobyhanna can be traced to 1912 when Maj. Charles P. Summerall leased more than 20,000 acres of land for a field artillery training site. In the 40 years prior to the depot beginning to officially serve the nation, the grounds of the installation went by several names and served our nation in several ways. Tobyhanna served as a tank and ambulance training center during World War I, artillery training center for over two decades, storage point for D-Day gliders, a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps, a World War II prisoner of war camp, and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site. When Tobyhanna Signal Depot began serving the nation, its vital and lasting readiness and community impacts were felt immediately. Its proximity to ports and electronics manufacturers made it an ideal site for the nation’s first permanent Signal Corps depot on the east coast, and civilians eager to serve their nation applied in waves. Tobyhanna Army Depot, as it has been known since a 1962 Army-wide reorganization, is a global organization providing readiness for warfighters where and when they need it. On any given day, more than 15% of the depot’s 3,100-strong workforce is outside the gates to meet the needs of the joint warfighter with peak efficiency. Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest industrial employer, Tobyhanna Army Depot creates 5,550 community jobs, employs a workforce of 24% veterans, and creates $2.4B of economic impact in the surrounding community which has advanced its mission for nearly a century. Over the course of serving the nation for seven decades, Tobyhanna has adapted to adhere to its mission. In a testament to proactive leadership and investment, a dynamic workforce of civilian patriots, and a vast portfolio of capabilities, Tobyhanna Army Depot has always answered the call of our nation’s warfighters in the ever-evolving world of warfighter readiness. Though the systems depot artisans work on may look dramatically different, Tobyhanna Army Depot’s mission has never wavered – providing the best value to our nation’s warfighters. Serving as the U.S. Army’s Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), Electronics, Avionics and Missile Guidance and Control, Tobyhanna Army Depot has a long history of upping the standard for our nation’s warfighters through work on invaluable assets from shelters to tactical radios. Today, Tobyhanna Army Depot remains as well-positioned as ever to continue delivering on that promise with over $1B of investments into infrastructure modernization and investments into capabilities like unmanned aerial systems, cable fabrication, and the fifth C of C5ISR, cyber, that will ensure warfighter supremacy on the battlefield of the future. Tobyhanna Army Depot is proud to be a part of the Army’s story as it turns 250. Serving our nation and the warfighters who so selflessly protect it remains not just an objective, but a non-negotiable mission championed by a workforce and community united in warrior ethos and American pride. Here’s to the next 250 years!
