Award winner sets example for peers

TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. -- A strong work ethic is the cornerstone of success for a Tobyhanna Army Depot employee recognized during a recent quarterly award ceremony.

Officials named Electrical Equipment Repairer Mark Swartwood the depot's 2013 Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter in the senior category.

Swartwood acknowledges that setting goals and staying focused affords him the opportunity to develop and apply his skills to improve processes and make an impact on the depot's performance and reputation.

He received accolades for his performance as a work leader in the Systems Integration and Support Directorate's Electrical Cable Support Branch -- a 120-day temporary promotion. Swartwood quickly adapted to the new shop and its technicians.

"Mark takes his job to heart and holds himself to standards that few have the drive and integrity to achieve," said Robert Olshefski, branch chief. "He worked tirelessly to improve processes, instruct and inspire the team."

Swartwood worked to improve processes, instruct and inspire branch members.

"He has worked tirelessly to stop overruns and holds technicians accountable for getting the work completed right and on time," Olshefski said. "Mark recognizes the potential in employees and pushes them to be the best they can be."

As a work leader, Swartwood supervised more than 20 employees. His duties included requesting material, verifying receipt of materials, working with several production controllers and engineers, dispersing work, solving technical problems, and mentoring technicians.

According to Olshefski, Swartwood was able to organize the shop and correct nonconformance issues to meet Aerospace Standard 9100 quality certification standards.

Swartwood believes success is a result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.

"There are so many people who deserve this award," Swartwood said. "I am honored to be recognized for my job performance."

According to Swartwood there are no shortcuts; hard work is the only alternative that really works.

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 3,700 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.