TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- Two employees who bring their A-game to work every day have earned accolades for meeting or exceeding mission requirements.
Machinist Preston Propes and division-level secretary William Schlingman were named the Tobyhanna Army Depot 2014 Employees of the Quarter for the first quarter in the senior and junior category, respectively.
As a machinist, Propes programs and operates the Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) Machines to perform milling, drilling, tapping and boring operations for the production of metal parts used in many systems.
An open mind and willingness to tackle any job is what sets this artisan apart from his peers. Propes is assigned to the Systems Integration and Support (SIS) Directorate's Machining Branch.
"Preston has established himself as the go-to guy when developing work processes for new jobs coming into the cost center," said Keith Knecht, branch chief. "His initiatives have resulted in saving more than 75 direct labor hours [in the last six months] by using the most basic Lean Six Sigma principles to identify ways to make his job easier."
Propes developed a new fixture for a horizontal machining center so he could produce five metal parts at a time instead of one. It used to take 84 hours to complete work on the U.S. Marines' Blue Force Tracking Keyboard Stowage Box, now it takes 39.
"It's the creative process that I love," said Propes. "It's easy for me to imagine a two-dimensional drawing as a three-dimensional image."
According to Knecht, the skilled machinist volunteers for any task, offers honest feedback and readily accepts responsibility for the work that he performs.
Propes knew at an early age what he wanted to do with his life. His desire to become a machinist propelled him to earn an associate degree in precision machining from Johnson College. Years of education, training and experience have set the stage for success.
"Tobyhanna has given me plenty of opportunities to hone my craft," said Propes, pointing out that employees are encouraged to speak up and apply their skills to make things better. "It's rewarding to know that our ideas contribute to the mission and subsequently the success of the business."
Schlingman's job as division secretary covers a wide range of responsibilities, including processing travel orders and vouchers, tracking appraisals, ordering supplies, and recording employee time for the organization.
In addition, he prepares correspondence, documents annual and sick leave, and processes requests for access to various programs such as the Logistics Modernization Program, Parts Request/Release Turn in (PRRT) and PDMLink.
Schlingman works in the SIS Directorate's Electronic Assembly Division.
"His example of hard work, dedication and loyalty has touched each team member," said Michael Fisher, division chief. "Bill lives up to every Army value."
Schlingman began his depot career two years ago after retiring from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His military career taught him to go above and beyond what was expected to ensure success of the entire team.
"I am thankful to work with a great team," said the former command sergeant major, adding that "we're all here to support the warfighter."
Fisher refers to him as a model of efficiency. "A place for everything and everything in its place," he said. "He's the one we all turn to for advice. He sets the standard for his position."
Schlingman is driven by a simple code of conduct…"failure is not an option." He said it's an honor to be recognized for the work he does; however, helping the depot complete its mission is its own reward.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna's Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C4ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.
Tobyhanna's unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, technology insertion, modification, and global field support to warfighters.
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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