Analyst honored as top in command

By Cherish T. Gilmore, Army Materiel Command Public AffairsSeptember 3, 2015

Louis Dellamonica Award
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- An operations research analyst for the Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity was named among the top 10 employees within Army Materiel Command.

David Payne, who has worked for AMC nearly 30 years, was one of the command's 65,000 employees honored with the Louis Dellamonica Award.

"David Payne is one of the best I have ever worked with, not only because of his technical expertise, but also for his outstanding leadership skills," said Brad W. Bradley, chief of Artillery and Aviation Systems Branch at AMSAA. "He always goes above and beyond in supporting major high-visibility Army programs as well as his exceptional mentorship of his team. Dave is a true AMC asset highly valued by his team, his peers and his leadership."

According to his nomination package, Payne's exemplary technical, managerial and supervisory contributions to multiple high-impact analytical endeavors supported major Army and DOD decision-making.

In his position, he led eight scientists, engineers and mathematicians supporting aviation-related Department of the Army procurement decision-making, as well as Combatant Command application of aviation assets. Over the past year, Payne oversaw several major high-value, high-impact projects supporting the acquisition community and the warfighter such as: the Improved Turbine Engine analysis of alternatives (also referred to as AoA), Future Vertical Lift attributes study, Joint Air-to-Ground AoA update and several others.

The Dellamonica award isn't Payne's first recognition for his work. He has been widely honored in the field of analysis and Army communities, to include his receipt of a "Special Act Award" for his technical and managerial contributions on the ITE AoA; a certificate of commendation from PM Utility Helicopter; the Commander's Award for Civilian Service from AMSAA's director; the Baltimore Federal Executive Board "Outstanding Supervisor" Award and recent selection of his ITE AoA Study for the Department of the Army Wilbur B. Payne Award for Analysis Excellence.

Payne is an active member of his local church and volunteers regularly in his free time at Volunteers-in-Mission and Habitat for Humanity programs. Each year, Payne travels to locations within the mid-Atlantic region to provide much needed services to fellow citizens, including new roofs to existing housing, building of wheelchair ramps to houses for those who need alternate entryways, and fixing of porches that have become hazardous.

Payne was one of many nominees who was considered on how his or her initiatives measurably improve their work environment and AMC's mission, how they motivate and inspire fellow employees to improve or increase the quality of their own work and how well they are viewed by peers, subordinates and supervisors.

"It is an extreme honor to be nominated for the Dellamonica award, let alone be a winner," Payne said. "I am very lucky to have led a great team of analysts who worked with me on a number of outstanding projects this year. This award is a reflection of not just my efforts but of my team and organization. Without their hard work, this would not have been possible."

Payne recalled the entire nomination and award process as humbling.

"It was a great thrill for me to personally receive the award from General Via. I hope to live up to the trust and standards symbolized by this award throughout the rest of my career," Payne said.