TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- Tobyhanna Army Depot employees who excel at making a difference in the lives of others were recognized during an award ceremony recently.
Palmer Johnson and Caleigh Conahan were named 2013 Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter in the junior and senior category, respectively.
Conahan has learned what it means to be part of a team and to appreciate achievements earned by working together.
"It's rewarding to know that what you do positively impacts the depot."
The management analyst joined Team Tobyhanna in 2008 and worked for two years interning as part of the Student Career Experience Program. Since then she's worked full time for three years as a workload analyst in the Production Management Directorate's Operations Management Division.
Conahan spends her days analyzing the planned, current and future workload to determine the health of the organization. To do this, she analyzes funding levels, direct labor hours and major system schedules.
As a result of the confidence and breadth of knowledge gained through a command-level internship here and a special assignment working for Army Materiel Command's senior leaders, Conahan has become one of the most trusted analysts in the directorate, according to Martin Nealon, Commodity Workload Analysis Branch chief.
"Caleigh has taken on a heavy workload due to the analytical demands of sequestration and a department that is not fully staffed," said Nealon, noting that she asked to be challenged. "She's met every challenge without fail, without complaint and always cognizant of just how crucial her actions are to the well being of Tobyhanna and its employees."
Nealon added that discretion, attention to detail and an ability to handle short-notice deadlines with skill and professionalism is what sets Conahan apart. Management specifically request's her analysis on issues as sensitive as personnel reductions and budget analysis, as well as briefings for members of congress and higher headquarters, he said.
"I am most proud of seeing how my work efforts can make a positive and lasting impact on the depot," Conahan said. "Because our customer is the warfighter, I feel that the least I can do for their great efforts is to try to improve the organization in any way I can."
Conahan describes Tobyhanna as a very motivated organization with employees who care about producing quality products for the warfighter at the best value while ensuring the depot is a viable organization in the future.
Her mantra is to treat every day as a learning experience. "I have realized that learning opportunities are endless and every opportunity can help me to become a better employee."
Johnson is a firefighter/emergency medical technician (EMT) in the Industrial Risk Management Directorate's Fire and Emergency Services Division.
Johnson is honored to be recognized for this individual achievement. "I've received great support and mentoring from many coworkers and friends throughout my career," he said.
As a firefighter/EMT, Johnson responds to all emergency calls that come into the depot's fire department. In addition, he performs inspections, and conducts departmental and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training while overseeing the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program training for Tobyhanna employees.
"Not long ago Palmer had to use one of the AED devices to successfully resuscitate a patient suffering cardiac arrest," said Sean Deane, assistant chief. Administration of the AED Program consists of monitoring deployed and departmental devices monthly, getting replacement equipment and record keeping.
Johnson earned accolades for developing a fitness program for the division. In July 2012, he attained certification as a Peer Fitness Trainer and in August he became a Crossfit Level I instructor.
"His personal weight loss and fitness improvements have served as an inspiration for other members of the unit to improve their health and fitness," Deane said. "He offers advice and guidance regarding better eating habits and exercise." The firefighters have lost over 125 pounds in less than a year with Johnson's help.
Johnson continued to further his education in the discipline of fitness and wellness with his sights set on becoming a certified personal fitness trainer. He was certified in January.
The 22-year veteran firefighter is no stranger to hard work. Coworkers remarked that he often takes on extra duties, even taking the initiative. Palmer performs all tasks in a professional and respectful manner, according to Deane.
"He is always helping others adapt or maintain a healthier lifestyle and improving their quality of life," Deane said, "even sacrificing his personal plans to help fellow firefighters meet their goals."
Helping the team make a difference is what matters to Johnson.
"I'm pleased that I have been able to work in many situations where the efforts of the crew can make a significant difference in someone else's life," he said.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is the Defense Department's largest center for the repair, overhaul and fabrication of a wide variety of electronics systems and components, from tactical field radios to the ground terminals for the defense satellite communications network. Tobyhanna's missions support all branches of the Armed Forces.
About 3,500 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is 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, Md., the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.
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