Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Supervisor for Leadership Excellence 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.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Honors Local Hero with New Award Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) recently had the privilege of honoring a local hero with the new Tobyhanna Outstanding Active-Duty Servicemember award. The Outstanding Active-Duty Servicemember award was established to commit anew to the depot’s longstanding tradition of celebrating the relationship between the workforce at TYAD and the service members they support. To be considered for the award, unit leaders must demonstrate the ways their candidates selflessly dedicate themselves to the defense of the United States, live in alignment with the U.S. Army’s core values, and are dedicated to supporting the growth and prosperity of their communities. Selected from a group of nominations pooled from active-duty units operating in the community surrounding TYAD, Sgt. 1st Class Erin Kuhlmeier of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Headquarters Support Company (HSC) of the 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (55th MEB) out of Scranton was found to embody the qualities sought for the first ever recipient of TYAD’s new award. Lt. Col. Cliff Morales, Brigade Action Officer leading the Pennsylvania National Guard unit quartered in the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Scranton, proudly championed the soldier for consideration of the award in a nomination package in which he stated, “Sgt. 1st Class Kuhlmeier is a phenomenal NCO who selflessly provides guidance, direction, and care for more than 200 soldiers. She performs administration functions for her whole unit and oversees logistics and training requirements for her subordinates, all while maintaining an infectious can-do attitude.” Even before enlisting in 2009, Kuhlmeier felt a determination to be all she can be in support of her nation and community. “My grandfather was in the Navy and my father spent some time in the Army,” said Kuhlmeier. “I wanted to continue the tradition.” Kuhlmeier emphasized, “I wanted to give more to the community – this passion inspired me to join the National Guard.” In her 15 years of service, Kuhlmeier has received many awards for the excellent execution of her duties, which included deployments to Kuwait and Guantanamo Bay. In her current role as the Readiness Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of HSC 55th MEB, Kuhlmeier oversees and manages all aspects of the unit’s readiness, including personnel administration, training, and medical readiness – ensuring the unit’s soldiers are prepared for missions. “Military service has greatly shaped who I am by embedding strong values such as discipline, responsibility, leadership, and a deep sense of camaraderie,” Kuhlmeier said. In addition to her official duties, Kuhlmeier also makes time to support her local community through volunteering at the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania, and the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton, Pennsylvania. “Giving back and building a meaningful connection with [my community] is why I like to volunteer,” said Kuhlmeier. “It is a great feeling to know you are contributing to the community.” Kuhlmeier was honored as TYAD’s first Outstanding Active-Duty Servicemember during a midgame ceremony at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team’s Veterans Appreciation Night on Nov. 9 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. TYAD Commander Col. James L. Crocker and Depot Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Riggs presented Kuhlmeier with a bronze statue and Certificate of Achievement for her military accomplishments and contributions to her community. The president of the Tobyhanna Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) presented Kuhlmeier with the AUSA’s Distinguished Service Award along with a complimentary two-year membership to the association. “I was very humbled by the experience of receiving this award,” shared Kuhlmeier. “The team I work with is just as deserving of this award as I am, as I would not be here today if it was not for their efforts as well.” The Tobyhanna Outstanding Active-Duty Servicemember award and other military and employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 – specifically the Connecting with the Community line of effort. The goal of Tobyhanna Army Depot’s plan is to strive to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider. Connecting with the community and investing in its people are just two tenets of Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035. The plan focuses on posturing the depot to support future force requirements and has additional lines of effort dedicated to ensuring C5ISR readiness across the joint services and shaping the future.
Tobyhanna Powering the Future with Energy Conservation and Innovation Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) recognizes Army Energy Month every October, supporting the Army in its commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability, and mission readiness. This year’s theme is “Powering the Mission.” For decades, Tobyhanna has embraced innovative technologies to reduce energy consumption. The focus on energy efficiency has helped the depot operate more sustainably and contributed to significant cost savings – addressing one of the Army’s largest expenses: energy. In its earlier years, the depot’s primary energy source was coal. In 1999, the organization transitioned to natural gas for its heating systems, drastically reducing its carbon footprint and winning the prestigious White House Closing the Circle Environmental Award. One of TYAD’s standout efforts is its installation of a vegetative (green) roof in 2006 to regulate indoor temperature and save energy. The 14,141-square-foot roof space was covered with sedum perennials, as soil and dense vegetation cover have exceptional insulation value. This project continues to benefit the installation today. More recently, the depot has tapped into renewable energy sources like solar energy, installing solar panels and solar walls on several buildings. “The Environmental Team needs to be creative with solutions when looking for renewable energy projects as the area and mission constrain the use of solar and wind power,” said Environmental Branch Chief Paula Mesaris. “We are also looking to integrate more smart metering capability to better understand where and how energy is used in order to better target improvements, such as building envelope improvements, rapid rollup doors, and sensor technology.” All light bulbs across the installation are in the process of being converted to LED bulbs, which use a fraction of the energy required to power traditional fluorescent bulbs and last much longer. The depot’s fleet of vehicles is gradually transitioning to electric vehicles. These government zero emissions vehicles can be charged on-post at one of several recently added charging stations. A strong, resilient energy infrastructure is key to ensuring the depot’s long-term viability. These sustainability initiatives enhance TYAD’s ability to adapt to evolving environmental challenges while remaining a dependable resource for the Army. “Reduction of electricity use and switching to carbon-free electricity producers also reduces our greenhouse gas emissions, improving climate resiliency,” added Environmental Engineer Devin Zurawski. According to Energy Manager David Ecklund, TYAD has seen a significant reduction in energy usage as a result of these combined efforts. “We have been trending downward since 2019,” said Ecklund. “The goal for 2024 was 125 million British thermal units (BTU) per thousand square feet, based on a 1.5% reduction from a 2019 baseline of 133 million BTU per thousand square feet. Tobyhanna’s actual energy use intensity for 2023 is 98 million BTU per thousand square feet, or 22% better than our goal.” Despite the depot’s success, now is not the time to rest on its laurels. It is imperative to continue pushing forward to achieve even greater results. Continuing to demonstrate environmental stewardship is directly aligned with TYAD’s strategic plan, specifically the Shape the Future line of effort. Future plans include the installation of a microgrid on the installation by 2035, as part of the Army Climate Strategy. This particular project is critical to mission readiness. “Microgrid installation will provide resiliency and reduce risk to the mission in the event of a power outage or energy shortage,” said Mesaris. 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 3,300 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 deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Commander Seeks Nominations for Awards Tobyhanna Army Depot is seeking nominations for its *NEW* Outstanding Active-Duty Servicemember and Outstanding Armed Forces Veteran awards. The Outstanding Active-Duty Servicemember Award is presented to an active-duty or reserve member of the U.S. Armed Forces who exceeds expectations and provides outstanding leadership to their community and unit. The Outstanding Armed Forces Veteran Award is presented to a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who has continued to support the joint services and the greater military community through professional and volunteer endeavors. Unit commanders and veterans organization leaders are invited to nominate a deserving current or veteran service member by completing the form at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19aa_onbGCdU_gz2bqhv00gskRihQ35VqZ4gz3S7izG4/ Nominations are due by Oct. 11. The award will be presented at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Veterans Appreciation Night on Nov. 9 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. For more information, please visit Tobyhanna’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/teamtobyhanna or call the Public Affairs Office at (570) 615-7308.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes National Tradesperson Day Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) wouldn’t be the world-class organization it is today without the skill, dedication, and precision of its tradespeople. On National Tradesperson Day, TYAD joins our nation in saluting those who utilize trade skills to make missions successful. Their craftsmanship is the backbone of every successful project, ensuring our warfighters have the tools they need to excel. Maintenance Worker Frank Padula began his career as a tradesperson directly out of high school when he took a summer job working in construction, which saw him framing houses and doing home remodeling around a lake. Though this experience, he developed a drive to expand his abilities. His boss suggested he read books regarding more advanced techniques and that if he proved himself, he’d allow him to handle new types of tasks. Padula hit the books and before long, he started to grow progressively in the field performing tasks such as cutting stair treads and measuring roof rafters. While working at the lake, he said he also had to remove docks from the water and re-paint them. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, these hands-on experiences positioned him well for a career at TYAD. Padula joined Team Tobyhanna as a painter in 2007 in search of stable, well-paying career. Growing up in a strong, patriotic family, he said working at the depot was appealing because it provided him a unique opportunity support our nation’s warfighters while doing work he excelled at. He had uncles and grandfathers that served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War, so his connection to the depot’s mission runs deep. Padula’s job as a painter offered him the opportunity to support the depot’s forward support mission and see a lot of the country. He said that no matter where he went, he wanted to make sure TYAD was well represented. “I got to go paint in probably 13 or 14 different states at other bases and I really wanted to give a strong outlook on Tobyhanna. I wanted people to say ‘these guys are really good guys and this is a good group from Tobyhanna,’” said Padula. “I wanted me to reflect on how we are as an installation. I made a lot of friends from a lot of states just being personable.” After eight years working in the paint shop, Padula accepted an opportunity to deploy to Southwest Asia for six months working on non-tactical vehicles. He said he learned a lot about team building and how the world views the government industrial complex. Padula said when he returned, he wanted to continue working in the trades and was grateful TYAD would offer him the opportunity to do so, which he said is his favorite thing about working at the depot. “There is always room for advancement. If I wanted to do something, Tobyhanna has never ever said no to me on anything I wanted to do to better myself,” said Padula. “The opportunities here are endless.” Padula began working in his current role as a Maintenance Worker roughly seven years ago, a job he said enjoys because it allows him to do new, unique things all the time. On any given day, he said he may be repairing walls, hanging pictures, repairing flooring, making signs, and beyond. He also serves as a member of the depot’s snow removal team, a role he was able to take on after earning his commercial driver’s license through TYAD. Padula said he considers himself fortunate that he gets to do what he does every day because it truly is his calling in life. “When you like what you do it’s not considered work. I love my job,” said Padula. “A lot of people say ‘hey why don’t you go do this, this, or that.’ I just really like what I do. It is not stressful when you enjoy what you’re doing.” Padula said his biggest piece of advice for people considering a career in the trades is to take pride in what you do. “If you don’t have your heart in it, don’t bother doing it. Your work reflects you,” said Padula. “People that have a master craft, you can see that their love and passion goes into it. You’re the most important thing that your work reflects on.” Electronics Worker Connor O’Neill joined Team Tobyhanna in 2021 through the depot’s Pathways Program, which provides streamlined Federal employment opportunities for students near graduation and recent graduates. He holds an Associates Degree in Electrical Construction Technology from Johnson College. O’Neill said his interest in the trades came when he was in high school. Unsure of what career path he wanted to go down, he recalled a “Tech Shop” class he took where he learned how to wire light bulbs and preformed other similar activities. He said that experience swayed him to go into the trades, and the thought of earning a two-year degree from Johnson College was appealing to him as it allowed him to more quickly enter the workforce. The beginning of O’Neill’s depot career saw him working on the AN/TRC-190, a multi-channel radio that has the capability to link point-to-point ultra-high frequencies with nodes from communication systems. For just over a year now, he has been supporting the Multiple Range Threat Systems Branch doing mechanical work. One of O’Neill recent projects included the disassembly, repair, and reassembly of a Joint Threat Emitter (JTE), which creates an authentic combat training experience for aircrews by projecting various signals that mimic a range of domestic and foreign threats, including radar and heat-seeking missiles, to pilots in flight. He said the work truly does vary from day to day, but he is happy to support in whatever way the team needs him to. Having had family members serve in the military, he said his connection to TYAD’s mission is a personal one. “My grandfather was in the Navy and my great grandfather was in the Army, so I do have some personal ties to Tobyhanna’s mission. It’s for guys like them that makes work that we do that much better,” said O’Neill. “You’re contributing to your country and our military.” O’Neill said he is proud to be able to serve the country and also takes pride in ensuring a job well done. “I take pride in doing a quality job at whatever point. I give it 110% and even if that is just taking baby steps, I know I’m doing all I can do,” said O’Neill. “If I get something wrong, it’s nothing to frown upon. Everybody makes mistakes every day. I just have fix them, hold myself accountable, and reflect. How I improve myself every day is what matters.” O’Neill said he is grateful for the mentorship and advice he’s been offered since joining Team Tobyhanna. His biggest piece of advice to prospective tradespeople is to make a connection with a subject matter expert and not be afraid to see everything the trades have to offer. “If you’re in high school, I would recommend taking a shop class to try to figure out what it is you want to do. Even if that’s taking multiple shop classes or just working with someone that knows what they’re doing,” said O’Neill. “Getting that little bit of experience helps out when you’re trying to figure out what trade you want to do.” O’Neill concluded by saying the teamwork aspect of his job is what gives him motivation each day. “My favorite thing about working at Tobyhanna is giving back to the Army and the military, but also the people that work here. All of the people on the shop floor and all of our upper management are really good people,” said O’Neill. “Everybody has been good to me, so I do my best to be good to them. To be able to come in, see the same people every day, and know that we can tackle obstacles together to get work done is a great feeling.” Industrial Worker Helper Jacqueline Bogdan joined Team Tobyhanna in 2019 following a career working in food service. She said she learned of job opportunities at the depot after attending an on-post career fair. Like Padula, she sought a career at TYAD for a better work-life balance and stability. Bogdan spends most of her time supporting TYAD’s kitting operations. On a typical day, she said she and her team will start by reviewing work on her shop’s electronic production control board to determine what is behind, ahead, or right on schedule. From there she will begin to prepare the work to be built or shipped out, a process which includes packaging and inspecting equipment. In addition to her kitting responsibilities, she has also spent time working in the depot’s C4ISR Finishing Center and actively supports Mobile Depot Maintenance trips. Occurring both inside and outside of the United States of America, her tasks included refurbishing shelters, maintaining towers on Air Force bases, working on Rolling Airframe Missile Launchers, and performing equipment installs on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. Bogdan said she started in an entry-level position and gained additional skills through on-the-job training and experiential learning. She said she’s very grateful for the opportunities that have been offered to her so far and suggested all professionals keep an open mind when it comes to job opportunities. “Be open minded when people give you offers. Take a chance working in different areas so that you can learn something. You might not realize that you like it and it can end up being what is best for you. Sometimes, those opportunities don’t come again.” said Bogdan. “I never would’ve expected I’d be at Tobyhanna. Some people work just a long time to get here, so I feel very blessed to be here.” Bogdan said she appreciates how despite TYAD being a large place, her position makes it that she can meet new people and understand the installations vast and varied workload. “When you get to see new faces and see what everyone else is doing, it helps open up the horizon of the depot,” said Bogdan. “I like to know what everyone else is doing so that we can team up to be productive. It feels nice to get to meet new people.” Bogdan said that she likes that her work in the trades allows her to experience different things. “Things change a lot in this job and I’m not always doing the same thing consistently,” said Bogdan. “Whether I’m on a Navy shipyard, Air Force base, or helping organize the shop here at Tobyhanna, I like that I get to change things up.” Bogdan concluded by urging all professionals, junior and senior, to make their personal and professional development a top priority. “You have to keep your chin up and invest in yourself,” said Bogdan. “You have to be your biggest priority.”
Tobyhanna Business Intelligence Leader Honored for Supervisory Excellence A focus on customer and employee experience resulted in a major award for one Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) leader. Dr. Matthew Raup was recently named Supervisor of the Quarter by TYAD’s headquarters, the Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM). The accolade honors supervisors across the command who embrace the Army values, drive innovation, and lead by example. CECOM personnel nominated Raup for the award based upon his leadership of TYAD’s Business Intelligence Division (BID) and efforts to create data collaboration across the organization and the Army overall. In addition, Raup earned praise for spearheading the Army Materiel Command Data & Analytics Summit. The July event, attended by more than 300 personnel worldwide, explored how data can enhance the readiness and efficiency of the joint warfighter. Raup said he never expected a leadership award – especially one from TYAD’s headquarters. “It surprised me because not a lot of my work is directly with CECOM,” he noted. “I thought it was really neat because I got a much greater feeling of pride in the organization.” Raup started his depot career in 2020 as the Chief of the Resource Management Directorate’s Customer Service Branch, which provides direct information technology (IT) support to the workforce. Under his leadership, the branch implemented a highly successful walk-in help center where depot personnel could receive immediate IT support and gain assistance with submitting help tickets – an endeavor focused on making life easier for Team Tobyhanna. Prior to working at Tobyhanna, Dr. Raup managed IT functions at the Pennsylvania State University and at a K-12 school district – roles that align with his personal values and pushed him towards federal service. “I’ve always had a drive to help other people. So, the idea of working for the Army and Tobyhanna really meshed well with my perspective of wanting to serve and help people,” said Raup. Raup’s personal leadership philosophy was largely shaped through his service in the Army National Guard, where he learned to empower others through respect and honesty. A self-described “employee engager,” he sees leadership as a service. “I’ve always believed that your job as a leader is to find people smarter than you and to support them in whatever they need,” he said, adding that his success has only been possible because of others. “I attribute all that I have achieved to the teams I have led here at Tobyhanna. I am proud of their accomplishments,” he said. Those who work with Raup celebrate him as an innovative leader who encourages continuous improvement. “Matt empowers us to think critically, take calculated risks, and deliver solutions that have a tangible impact on the business. His ability to bridge the gap between IT and operations has been crucial in aligning our business intelligence efforts with the depot’s overarching mission and priorities,” said Joseph Bilotta, program analyst in the BID. Fellow program analyst Edward Gliniecki agreed. “Matt’s leadership inspires the entire team, serving as a model for how to cultivate a scalable, sustainable, and impactful supervisory approach. Under Matt’s direction, the team has achieved remarkable outcomes, demonstrating the benefits of his exceptional leadership abilities. Matt’s leadership not only guides our direct team, but also drives positive change across the wider organization. “ Employee recognition programs are a key tenet of TOBY2035, TYAD’s long-range strategic plan. The plan, which has four focus areas – Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications, aims to posture the depot to meet the future needs of the joint warfighter on a multidomain battlefield. 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 3,300 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 deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need
Tobyhanna Army Depot Spotlights Employee Excellence Every quarter, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) proudly honors one junior and one senior member of its exceptional workforce with the Employee of the Quarter (EoQ) award. Recognizing excellence is never easy at TYAD, where talent and dedication are in abundant supply across every mission. For the 3rd Quarter of FY24, the spotlight shines on Nicole Samsell from the Public Affairs Office and Lauren Leary from the Legal Office, as they earn this well-deserved recognition for their outstanding contributions. With a strong background in communications, TYAD’s Public Affairs Office (PAO) was a natural fit for Samsell. She joined the PAO team in January 2023 as a Public Affairs Assistant and is currently serving as a Public Affairs Specialist during a 120-day temporary promotion. After successfully completing developmental assignments across different areas of the installation, Leary found her calling in TYAD’s Legal Office in 2020 when she became the Legal Assistant. While in that role, she obtained her Paralegal Certificate from East Stroudsburg University, which provided her the opportunity to become the Paralegal Specialist in 2021, the role she works in today. Samsell, this quarter’s junior recipient, joined Team Tobyhanna in November 2021 as an Administrative Assistant in the Production Engineering Directorate’s SATCOM and Site Installation Division. Her career in federal service began about a year and a half prior as she worked for the Social Security Administration. Samsell also has six years of top 40 radio hosting experience, wrote for an arts & entertainment publication, and 20 years in hospitality working in the restaurant business. She earned an Associate of the Arts degree in Communications in 2007 from Luzerne County Community College. Samsell said she found her way to TYAD in search of reliable, meaningful employment following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “[The effects of the pandemic were] a very big eye opener. It forced me to re-examine my goals, pivot, and look towards my future,” said Samsell. “Federal employment was kind of a no brainer because of the unique benefits that are available to us as federal employees. Additionally, it feels gratifying to be able to serve the country in this way.” Samsell added that she is proud that the work she helps the organization achieve is part of something bigger than just herself. “Being a civil servant is very humbling because we are a piece of a much larger puzzle. The impact that puzzle has on our society is large,” said Samsell. “That does feel like that is something that is worth taking pride in.” With a strong background in communications, TYAD’s Public Affairs Office (PAO) was a natural fit for Samsell. She joined the PAO team in January 2023 as a Public Affairs Assistant and is currently serving as a Public Affairs Specialist during a 120-day temporary promotion. She said her role within the team plays strongly into her skillset and makes coming to work feel fun. “In the current role, I really enjoy having the creative freedom to try to connect with the workforce and collaborate with my colleagues. I’ve always found that I have a knack for connecting with people, which I’ve fostered that throughout all of my years in customer service,” said Samsell. “Working in Public Affairs has been great because it has gotten me out of my chair and into the workforce meeting people and learning about the depot’s various workloads and missions.” Samsell said her favorite thing about working at TYAD is the endless opportunity for development. “My favorite thing about working at Tobyhanna has been that leadership fosters an environment where growth and development are truly valued. “When you walk into Tobyhanna and you say that you have a goal, most people around you are eager to help you achieve it,” said Samsell. “The encouragement to push boundaries and continuously improve is something that I really appreciate and is one of the reasons why I really like being a part of the organization,” she said. Upon receiving the Employee of the Quarter award, Samsell said she was shocked and humbled realizing the team around her helped make it possible. “I am really humbled from winning the award. I do know that there are dozens of people who are as deserving, if not more deserving, as I am. I can’t believe it, but I know that you are nominated by your peers and your supervisor so knowing that the input that I put in every day is valued and appreciated is very humbling and extremely motivating,” said Samsell. “Sometimes we come into work every day and we just need a little extra pep in our step to remember why we ever started this journey. This has reenergized me.” Public Affairs Officer Danielle Weinschenk said that Samsell tackles every task head-on and is willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure the team’s success. “During a time of great change for PAO, Nicole has been the constant, ensuring all members of the team have the tools they need to succeed. She willingly took on many additional duties and has played a key role in training new team members (including her new Chief). Nicole has faced these challenges with a smile, never complaining or refusing to take on yet another task,” said Weinschenk. “It is not uncommon to hear her say, ‘Put me in, coach!’ and she encourages her colleagues up, down, and across our organizational chain to do the same. No task is too big or too small for her – and her positive attitude is the catalyst for cultural change here in PAO.” Visual Information Specialist Nicolo Manzo lauded Samsell’s strong work ethic, infectious positivity, and support for the team. “Nicole is a phenomenal co-worker and teammate. She continuously goes above and beyond, offering support to the entire team and ensuring its success. Through her proactivity, adaptability, attention to detail, and excellent work ethic, she sets the entire team up for success,” said Manzo. ”Perhaps her greatest contribution to the PAO team is her positive attitude and commitment to the success of not just her own work, but the work of all those around her. If it cannot be measured in hard data, her positive impact is felt among the PAO team and can easily be observed by anyone on the installation. Members of Team Tobyhanna like Nicole Samsell ensure Tobyhanna’s position as a leader in the Department of Defense will endure.” Samsell credited the team around her, saying they serve as her source of motivation each day. “This award validates your hard work. You come in every day and you put your nose to it and it is important to be noticed for that. That is not why we do it, but that is certainly something that motivates folks to continue to go the extra mile,” said Samsell. “I really will say that the collaboration and dedication amongst my team inspires me to keep working hard.” Leary, this quarter’s senior recipient, joined Team Tobyhanna as an Administrative Assistant in the Production Engineering Directorate’s Design, Development, and Fabrication division in 2018, following years working in food service and food service management. Like Samsell, she sought a career with TYAD for a better work-life balance. After successfully completing developmental assignments across different areas of the installation, Leary found her calling in TYAD’s Legal Office in 2020 when she became the Legal Assistant. While in that role, she obtained her Paralegal Certificate from East Stroudsburg University, which provided her the opportunity to become the Paralegal Specialist in 2021, the role she works in today. Additionally, she is pursuing a Bachelors Degree from Florida International University. Leary said her time in the Legal Office has taught her much about that line of work, which she had previously not known much about. “The opportunity [in the Legal Office] opened up and working with the right team really opened my eyes to just how incredible the field is. Every day I’m tackling a new challenge or a different issue,” said Leary. “I love figuring out problems, breaking down issues, and problem solving. It is the perfect place for me with the perfect group of people at the right time in my life.” Leary lauded the team she works with in the Legal Office, saying that they have helped her grow both personally and professionally. “I get to take all of these little pieces of all of these brilliant people and it has changed me so much and changed who I am. I listen more, I am more patient, I am calmer under pressure, and I don’t need to be right; I just want to do the right thing. That is a credit to my teammates. I just value that and love that so much,” said Leary. “I work very hard but the team is the reason that I am able to do what I do in the way that I do it. On a daily basis, I learn from their actions.” Leary said that the welcoming environment fostered by the legal team is part of the reason she was able to earn the EoQ honor. “I probably would not have won this award in 2018. I think that it takes the right environment, the right co-workers and most of all, the right manager to bring out the best in an employee,” said Leary. “Starting with the environment, it is very collaborative and very safe. You never have to be scared that you’re going to be laughed at for asking a question. You never have to be afraid to ask somebody to explain something more. It is very safe in that way. We have a lot of trust in one another.” Leary said winning the EoQ was an honor knowing how many people are involved in the nomination process. “I was very shocked and surprised. It means a lot because I know that it is not just my supervisor nominating me. It goes through a lot of people,” said Leary. “It means a lot that people thought what I do matters, is important, and should be honored.” She concluded by saying she feels lucky to get to do what she does every day alongside a great team. “I love the aspect of my job where I get to break down complex issues so that anybody can consume them. I love finding solutions to problems,” said Leary. “I’m lucky that in this job, I get to think critically and tackle new challenges alongside the group of people I work with.” Chief of the Tobyhanna Legal Office Brandon Gatto said Leary’s unwavering drive, generosity, and meticulousness make her a tremendous asset to the team. “Lauren is the kind of employee every supervisor hopes for. She has a long and impressive list of accomplishments that earned her this quarter’s award, but she’s invaluable to the Legal Office because of her endless initiative, selflessness, and attention to detail,” said Gatto. “More importantly, she’s an exceptional person. She raises our bar, and she’s a role model for other employees. I am incredibly proud and lucky to have Lauren on our team.” Associate Counsel Jamie Schelling expressed deep appreciation for Leary’s hard work ethic and thoughtful nature, both of which make her dependable colleague. “Lauren is an exceptional talent. To say that we are lucky to have her in the Legal Office is an understatement. I have never seen anyone throughout my entire legal career with a more incredible work ethic than Lauren. She quickly recognizes and understands issues and has already come up with three different solutions before I’ve wrapped my brain around what it is that we are talking about,” said Schelling. “She is a crucial part of our office, not only in the value that she adds with her work but also her value as a person. Her quick wit makes work fun and she one of the most thoughtful people-she literally keeps notes in her phone of everyone in the office’s favorite things. Simply put, we are all exponentially better because she is around. It is truly all of her behind the scenes legwork that makes our jobs as attorneys run smoothly, so it is great to see her getting the recognition she deserves.” 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. TOBY2035, the depot’s long-range strategic plan, 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 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 3,300 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 deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Showcases World-Class Capabilities and Partnering Opportunities From small business insights to behind-the-scenes tours, Tobyhanna Army Depot’s (TYAD) annual Industry Day event turned opportunity into action, as over 200 participants from small and large businesses, government, the NEPA Alliance, and local chambers explored the cutting edge of military innovation and collaboration. From August 13-15, representatives from local, regional, and national businesses experienced TYAD’s extensive and continuously advancing capabilities and discovered partnership opportunities. Guests represented over 185 different organizations across 20 states and Washington D.C., and have traveled from locations as far as California, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama. Each day of the event provided something unique to attendees. The first day focused on small business contracting opportunities in the facilities, mission operations support, and environmental sectors. Chief of TYAD’s Strategic Initiatives Office (SIO) Katlin Edmunds, Director of TYAD’s C4ISR Directorate Jon Strzelec, and Small Business Professional from the Office of Small Business Programs at Aberdeen Proving Ground David Kern also offered insight during a comprehensive question and answer session designed to ensure attendees were equipped to pursue federal contract opportunities. TYAD Deputy Commander Robert Lantka helped close out day one of Industry Day by sharing the vision of where the depot is headed as an installation. “I want to thank you for your time and attention as we move toward supporting warfighter readiness. For Tobyhanna, we believe we have the most diverse customer base and the most diverse skillsets. Partnering with industry for things like training, increasing capacity, and growing capability are vitally important to us,” said Lantka. “One of the things we know as a Tobyhanna Team is we absolutely need partnership with industry and there are many different paths.” Among the day one attendees were Katy Radomski and Sierra Altenbach of Balz Inc., a veteran-owned small business specializing in freight transportation brokerage. They both said they left the event armed with a wealth knowledge previously unknown to them. “I found the experience to be exceptionally valuable. The presentations were informative, and the networking opportunities were unparalleled, providing meaningful connections with key industry professionals,” said Radomski. “I’m leaving the event feeling inspired and well-equipped to continue to grow at Balz Inc. I highly recommend it for any small business looking to expand their reach! Thank you to all the staff at Tobyhanna Army Depot for hosting such an incredible event,” said Altenbach. The event’s second day offered attendees detailed tours and briefs from various depot subject matter experts. Attendees applauded the depot for expanding the event’s tour segment and providing firsthand insights into the depot’s mission. The third and final day of the event was geared towards Public-Private Partnering (P3) opportunities, which are cooperative engagements 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, according to Edmunds. “Partnering is a cooperative effort, not a competitive engagement,” said Edmunds. Those who attended P3 briefings had the opportunity to learn about Tobyhanna’s capabilities and receive insights directly from depot leadership, who highlighted the key to nurturing winning relationships with small and large businesses alike. “One of the things I want to instill in these relationships is a high level of trust – you have to trust that we will protect your information and your interest as a business,” said Depot Commander Col. James L. Crocker. “And you have to trust that we’re providing quality products that you can get out in accordance with cost, schedule and performance to meet your requirements.” Networking events and breakout sessions were also part of the event. TYAD Chief of Staff Kristyn Smith provided overviews of Tobyhanna’s operations and business strategies, highlighting the impact that events such as Industry Day have on our nation’s warfighters. “A strong partnership between government and industry is essential to the success of our nation’s security. I can’t thank you enough for being here,” said Smith. TYAD experts briefed potential partners on the depot’s evolving capabilities and the new and ongoing partnership opportunities they enable. Senior Marketing Manager at The Tatitlek Corporation John Griggs was among those present during the week. He said that for him, the event was highly educational. “Tobyhanna Army Depot is constantly refreshing its approach so that it is actually meeting the needs of their customers. I learned a lot about what Tobyhanna does and how it operates, which is different from other bases,” said Griggs. “The Industry Day event was very educational and very well done.” Many attendees left Industry Day with a deeper appreciation for the significance of partnerships in enhancing warfighter readiness and achieving organizational objectives. Vice President for Federal and State Contracts and Business Development for The Judge Group Maria Batista said she found the opportunity to connect with others in the industry invaluable. “The networking with the other original equipment manufacturers that were here – that’s amazing. You can’t replace relationships,” said Batisita. “I previously worked for the U.S. Navy on the civilian side, and I know it’s very hard to get those relationships from the inside to the external public, and I think that this is a great way to learn the different players out there. I think this was a great event.” Col. Crocker celebrated the event’s success, highlighting the vital role of collaboration between the public and private sector. “We were honored to host so many important partners from across industry and take some time to see how we can help each other to support our nation’s warfighters,” said Col. Crocker. “This week was tremendously successful, and we look forward to continuing as the organic industrial base leader in establishing public-private partnerships, as they are key to our strategy to continue as the best value for our warfighters.” Logistics Management Specialist Christopher Lupole said he is enthusiastic about the limitless opportunities that come from bringing together many great minds in one place. “Every year we look forward to hosting this event as it allows us to bring the best defense minds from both the private and public sectors into one space,” said Lupole. “The networking and brainstorming opportunities are endless.” Both TYAD and its current and potential partners remain committed to exploring new collaboration avenues to deliver superior readiness and value to our nation’s warfighters. The SIO team encourages attendees to continue their involvement with Tobyhanna, both in the present and for years to come. “We were thrilled to see over 200 personnel register for the event this year, an increase from 2023. We hold our annual Industry Day event to strengthen our relationships with our private sector partners,” said Edmunds. “Strong, robust partnerships between government and industry are essential to the success of our nation’s security and economy.” Industry Day is a TOBY2035 Shape the Future and Connecting with the Community endeavor. TOBY2035, the depot’s long-range strategic plan, 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 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 3,300 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 deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need.
Army leaders visit Tobyhanna, praise opportunities for future growth Army Materiel Command leaders reported for duty at Tobyhanna Army Depot this week, seeing firsthand how the depot is leading the organic industrial base with cutting-edge modernization initiatives, new workload opportunities and innovative approaches to organization development. Army Materiel Command Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commander Lt. Gen. Christopher O. Mohan and U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV visited TYAD to personally experience the DOD’s premier provider of logistics and readiness to the joint warfighter. TYAD Commander Col. James L. Crocker led the leaders on an extensive tour of the depot’s state-of-the-art facilities where they observed Tobyhanna’s resilient workforce in action and heard plans for future innovation, building upon the $1 billion already invested in Tobyhanna’s facilities. To meet the ever-changing demands of the modern force, TYAD continues to embrace new innovations and technologies. Collaboration with our counterparts at AMC and CECOM is vital as the depot is experiencing immense growth in missions like radar, microelectronics, satellite communications, and cable fabrication. Mohan underscored the OIB’s substantial impact on the DOD. “The expeditionary capability of the OIB is extremely powerful,” he said. “We are deeply intwined in the efforts of the Army, as we penetrate to the most tactical level.” Mohan’s visit to TYAD’s Engineering Analysis and Solutions Lab demonstrated the organization’s emerging organic microelectronics capabilities, a cornerstone of depot modernization efforts. As the Army focuses on more sophisticated and compact electronic systems, the ability to tackle this crucial workload in-house mitigates supply chain risks and reduces reliance on foreign adversaries. Crocker touted TYAD’s new process to repair the KGV-310B card for the Secure, Mobile, Anti-Jam, Reliable, Tactical Terminal. Depot artisans can repair the card for just $5,000 and within a few days, resulting in a $4.7 million cost savings for the Army and increased readiness for warfighters worldwide. The tour also highlighted Tobyhanna’s radar mission, where plans are underway to expand the organization’s already vast radar campus. The 320,000 square foot range leverages TYAD’s unique geographical location in the heart of the Pocono Mountains and boasts near and far field-testing ranges and multiple radomes for year-round testing that are free from 5G interference — rivaling the facilities of original equipment manufacturers across the private sector and setting a new standard for excellence in logistics and support. The upcoming modernization project will invest nearly $60 million into depot facilities, expanding precision radar testing capacity and increasing capabilities for essential equipment used by warfighters across the DOD. This significant investment in infrastructure aims to bolster Tobyhanna’s ability to accommodate increasing demands for radar maintenance for joint warfighters, according to Crocker. “TYAD is postured to support additional sustainment, overhaul, testing, and integration of radars across the military services — and our radar campus modernization will take our already incredible facilities to new heights,” he said. TYAD also showcased human capital initiatives such as its radar technology center. This bold new approach to readiness support consolidates military equipment by technology commonality, instead of by individual system — smashing organizational silos, evolving troubleshooting techniques and enabling floor personnel to expand their technical skill set across a variety of platforms. The radar technology center benefits others, as well. Support personnel are co-located, which increases collaboration, emboldens point-of-use problem-solving, and creates increased opportunities for relationship building. Warfighters and customers alike benefit from increased efficiencies all around. Finally, Tobyhanna’s depot maintenance forward effort was briefed to Mohan and Turinetti. Expert depot forward support teams can deploy in just 24 hours to meet urgent DOD requirement such as on-site depot level maintenance, site surveys and assessments, system fielding, modification and upgrades. TYAD is executing missions in 30 countries, with 27 fixed locations across the world. These forward repair activities allow TYAD to play a key role the ability to support Army requirements around the globe using organic capability that optimize regional maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. Before his departure, Mohan presided over an awards ceremony, presenting ceremonial coins to several members of the workforce. James Harris, Brandon Murnock, Michael Sherin and Ricky Saunders of the Production Engineering Directorate and Eric Silvi of the C4ISR Directorate were recognized for their exceptional contributions to microelectronics, radar and U.S. Armed Forces initiatives in the European theater. The visit from senior leaders energized TYAD leadership and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring C5ISR readiness on a global scale. TYAD Deputy Commander Robert L Lantka emphasized the importance of Mohan and Turinetti’s visit. “We appreciate the opportunity to highlight Tobyhanna’s distinctive capabilities and how they support Army, DOD, and partner nation readiness needs.” Crocker enthusiastically agreed, noting that providing stellar service to the joint warfighter requires support from higher headquarters. “As we progress with our holistic modernization efforts, the guidance and support of leaders like Lt. Gen. Mohan and Maj. Gen. Turinetti will be instrumental in Team Tobyhanna achieving our goals of being the best value for the joint warfighter,” he said. Engagements with senior Army leaders are key to the success of TYAD’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035. The plan, which has four focus areas — Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications — aims to posture the depot to meet the future needs of the joint warfighter on a multidomain battlefield. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or 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 3,300 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 deliver integrated C5ISR weapon systems, business systems, and medical sustainment to enable full spectrum combat operations at the point of need.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Interns on National Intern Day Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD), in recognition of National Intern Day, an observance created to celebrate future leaders, highlighted depot employees who joined Team Tobyhanna through internship programs on July 25. TYAD’s Pathways Program offers federal employment opportunities for students nearing graduation or who have recently graduated. Current students can participate in the internship program for temporary summer jobs while recent graduates can apply for permanent jobs at Tobyhanna. Amira Chhaiouine, Florence Annor, and Samantha Suarez each come to TYAD through a relationship with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Tobyhanna’s 12 yearlong collaboration has allowed students to seize the opportunity to get hands-on experience in a work environment during a summer program with TYAD. The internship provides undergraduates the opportunity to learn the processes and operations the depot performs on a daily basis to meet the needs of America’s warfighters. Chhaiouine majors in Cyber Security at RIT. A native of Bel Air, Maryland, her interest in working with technical systems drew her to the program. She found her way to TYAD after talking with a depot attendee at a university career fair. Having completed previous internships in the private sector, she viewed this as a great opportunity to see what life is like working for the federal government. Chhaiouine has been working as a member of the Information Management Division’s Cyber Security Branch where she has been learning the many process that go into keeping TYAD secure. Part of her internship has also included the opportunity to developmentally spend two weeks in the depot’s Network Operations Branch, another area in which she said she has some knowledge and interest in. Chhaiouine said it has been encouraging to see that she’s been able to apply much of what she’s learned at RIT to the work she performs at TYAD. “I have been able to use a lot of the skills that I’ve learned at my school which is great and also learn other things that I had never heard of,” said Chhaiouine. “It has been great for me to compare the class experiences and the real-world experiences, especially on the federal side of things.” Chhaiouine lauded the team she has had the opportunity to work with, saying they’ve been very welcoming, helpful, and informative. “I have been shadowing what everybody is doing almost every day. If they work on something specific, they will just add me their communication channels and will also provide me with helpful examples. It is a great opportunity to learn more,” said Chhaiouine. “The people are very good. I really like my team.” Cyber Security Enterprise Branch Chief Sean Hannan said Chhaiouine has been a tremendous value to the team during her time at TYAD so far. “Amira has been an invaluable asset to the cyber operations team during her time at Tobyhanna as an intern. Her incredible intelligence along with a fresh and innovative outlook has greatly assisted the team in completing and improving a number of systems and mission requirements,” said Hannan. “With a friendly, outgoing personality, she has been a welcome addition to our team.” Chhaiouine said that although she intends to keep her options open, her experiences at TYAD have opened her eyes to new possibilities and will consider returning to federal service upon graduation. Annor, a Business major at RIT, spends her days at TYAD supporting the Field Logistics Support (FLS) directorate. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, she also found her way to TYAD through a conversation she had at the university career fair. Annor’s father, who works as a truck driver, encouraged her become independent at a young age and introduced her to the business side of his operations, which inspired her to grow up and pursue her field of study. With other future aspirations in mind, such as becoming a working mother and maintaining a healthy work life balance, she said she felt the business world would be perfect for her. At RIT, Annor worked for a program called “Veterans Upward Bound,” which assists veterans and military service members with enrolling in school. Outside of school, she’s also had friends and family alike enlist in the Armed Forces. She credited these experiences with helping her connect with TYAD’s mission. “The fact that when you make that oath and you sign your name on the line, you’re giving up your family, you’re giving up your friends, you’re giving up seeing your children grow, you’re giving up all of these different things to go and serve the country,” said Annor. “It is an honorable thing. I see the noble cause that is happening and I want to support that.” That connection makes supporting depot operations and our Nation’s warfighters impactful for Annor. “My favorite thing about working at Tobyhanna is understanding and seeing the impact of what I’m doing,” said Annor. “Even if it may seem small, it really plays into the entire operation of depot functions.” Annor has been assisting the FLS directorate with data work, such as data maintenance and data calls, and administrative work when needed. Being that much of her directorate performs their work outside the continental United States, she said she finds the work to be unique and interesting. Tessa Zantowsky serves as a Management Analyst within the FLS directorate. She said Annor has already helped improve processes in her short time assisting the team. “Florence has been instrumental in assisting us with maintaining high quality internal workforce data as well as furthering the way we view and use that data to make better business decisions,” said Zantowsky. “She has also assisted in the creation and fine tuning of the standard operating procedures used by our directorate administrative staff.” Annor she said she really appreciates the hands-on nature of the internship. “Yes, you can sit in a classroom and gain much information. The classroom has helped me understand many concepts, but ultimately it is the hands-on work that has really helped me understand what I’m doing,” said Annor. “I feel like I’ve learned something here.” Michael Monroe serves as Chief of the Regional Support Center Management Division within the FLS directorate. He first met Annor at the NTID career fair and said he feels lucky to work with her at TYAD. “I was fortunate last fall, as a Tobyhanna representative visiting the NTID, to have the honor of meeting with and interviewing Florence. Her professional and academic qualities were immediately evident, and it was clear that she was someone that we wanted to intern with our team,” said Monroe. “Having recently been reassigned within the FLS directorate, I was very pleased to learn that I now have the opportunity to work with her directly. It is clear from her reputation, that she has been making a significant and positive impact within our organization.” Joseph Fantanarosa serves the Director of the FLS directorate. He said Annor’s ability to learn quickly has made her an asset to the team and hopes to see her at TYAD in summers to come. “It was a pleasure having Florence here in FLS this summer. She is extremely intelligent and quick to learn,” said Fantanarosa. “We can only hope she is able to come back next summer!” Annor said upon obtaining her degree, she intends to enter the workforce and venture into supply chain management, another influence she credited to her father. She added that she too will keep the federal government in mind when considering employment and is grateful for how working at TYAD taught her to be a true professional. Suarez currently studies Civil Engineering at RIT and is spending her summer supporting the Site Preparation & Baseband Engineering Branch within TYAD’s Production Engineering directorate. Originally from Florida, she relocated to Plano, Texas before enrolling at the university in upstate New York. Suarez said that since she was young, she has always been fascinated by how things work. She said that taking things apart and piecing them back together brings her a lot of satisfaction and joy. When it came time to decide what she wanted to study, engineering felt like a no brainer. After earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Aided Drafting, she felt confident in her engineering abilities. This led her to search for opportunities that would provide her with real world, hands-on experience. Although not initially aware of career options within the federal government, a conversation at a career fair changed all of that. Suarez said that her time working at TYAD has left a positive mark on her professional aspirations. “Tobyhanna has made a huge impact on me. There have been so many opportunities and you can learn anything here in a safe environment,” said Suarez. “I’ve been shown many new things and have had things explained to me. “I don’t want to leave working. I will love to continue work at Tobyhanna.” Suarez said Tobyhanna has exposed her to a new side of engineering. One day she may be working on a radar, the next inside a radome, and the next supporting digging operations at various sites. Additionally, she has spent time shadowing some mechanical engineering processes to broaden her skillset. She credited the team she works with for making the experience as informative and educational as it has been. “It doesn’t matter if I’m deaf or not. The team is just so nice and happy and willing to communicate with me. I feel like they treat me as a human and that makes me feel great,” said Suarez. “We just get together, communicate with each other, and get the work done. It gives me the motivation to want to learn more and get more from them.” Christopher Sheerer serves as Chief of the Site Preparation & Baseband Engineering Branch. He said that from day one Suarez has been enthusiastic about her work, which she performs with much pride. “Samantha shows a level of intensity that I haven’t seen in an intern in many years. She eagerly and fearlessly—but not recklessly—gets involved in the heavy construction projects that the team is involved in,” said Sheerer. “She is always asking great questions and confidently offers suggestions when she recognizes the possibility of alternate means of doing the work.” Suarez said that she’s overcome many hurdles in life and the drive to keep going is born out of strong will and determination. “Don’t fear,” said Suarez. “At least you try.” Following graduation, Suarez said she plans to continue with graduate studies and will certainly keep the federal government in mind when it comes time for her to consider employment opportunities.
