Selfless, exceptional describe award winners

Photo By Thomas Robbins | Electronics Mechanic Jason Meier was named the Tobyhanna Army Depot Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, junior category.  

PA, UNITED STATES

10.01.2020

Story by Jacqueline Boucher 

Tobyhanna Army Depot

TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, PA -- One of the depot’s award programs recognizes and expresses gratitude for extra effort, great work and accomplishments.
Electronics Mechanic Jason Meier and Lead Process Improvement Specialist Chris Gogola were named the Tobyhanna Army Depot Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, junior and senior categories, respectively.
“It means a great deal to me to be recognized for the work I do to support the warfighter,” said Meier, adding that he’s been employed at the depot for less than two years. He attributes his success to his father for instilling a good attitude and strong work ethic into him while growing up. “I also work with a great group of people who have taught me so much.” Meier works in the C4ISR Directorate’s Range Threat Components Branch.
Meier’s work on the AN/VPQ-1 Tactical Radar Threat Generator often earns accolades from leadership and coworkers. His ideas for improvement help push product out the door on time and in budget.
“Jason has an exceptional work ethic, which has a positive impact on the other members of his team,” said Stephen Calles, branch chief. “His willingness to learn the system’s overhaul process helped the shop overcome a significant backlog. In addition to working long hours when needed, he volunteers to learn new tasks.”
Working for the Defense Department is a great learning experience with many opportunities to expand your knowledge, according to Meier. He added that personnel can achieve their goals through hard work.
“You have to work towards what you want in life,” Meier said. “You are the only one responsible for reaching your dreams.”
As a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Master Black Belt candidate, Gogola guides depot directorates in strategic planning. He also provides Lean and Six Sigma training to Team Tobyhanna personnel, Army warrant officers and West Point cadets. During fiscal year 2020, he lead, coached and mentored six LSS belt projects, which resulted in more than $4 million in Lean savings.
“It’s an honor to receive the employee of the quarter award, but I never considered this an individual award,” said Gogola. “To me, this is a team award. I wouldn’t be in this position if I didn’t have a great team supporting and guiding me through my career.” Gogola works in the Resource Management Directorate’s Process Improvement Division. He started his depot career 15 years ago.
Contributions to process improvement programs increase productivity and improve operational readiness levels by meeting or exceeding the joint warfighter’s schedules and Defense Department requirements, according to Michael McKeefery, division chief.
Gogola also earned recognition for his work as the project manager for the depot’s Employee Suggestion Program, according to McKeefery. Furthermore, his initiative, leadership and commitment to improving the program, resulted in cycle time improvement of 235 days to 71.
“Chris is a selfless and committed leader with a passion for change management,” McKeefery said. “He is a patient and understanding mentor that relies on his leadership and communication abilities to ensure the successful completion of projects.” Gogola leads a team of four process improvement specialists.
Recognizing employees for a job well done is directly linked to one of the Toby 2028 objectives -- Invest in our People. The objective centers on developing an agile and innovative workforce dedicated to providing the best value to the warfighter. The quarterly awards program identifies and rewards junior-, senior- and supervisor-level employees who, in the performance of their assigned duties, have established a pattern of excellence. Nominations may be submitted by co-workers, who work with the nominee, directly or indirectly, with a minimum of at least four nominators or by an employee’s supervisor.
Winners will receive a special parking space for the quarter, a $500 On-The-Spot Award and a plaque. Winning packages are automatically forwarded to the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) to compete in their respective categories. The C4ISR quarterly award winners receive the Department of the Army (DA) Achievement Medal for Civilian Service and CECOM quarterly award winners receive a DA Certificate of Achievement as well as their name on a Perpetual Plaque.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2020
• Date Posted: 10.01.2020 11:16
• Story ID: 379971
• Location: PA, US