TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. - An Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Directorate employee earned a depot-level award for his work ethic, expertise and dedication in improving the efficiency and productivity of the Air Defense Radar Systems Branch.

Joseph DiCindio, electronics mechanic, claimed the Tobyhanna Employee of the Quarter Award for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.

DiCindio was recognized for his outstanding performance by his supervisor, Branch Chief William Chupko, who noted that he "encourages employees to take on the responsibility and accountability for work performed within the organization."

Chupko also says that when called upon to work extended hours or in adverse conditions in support of mission requirements, "he steps up and can be counted on to complete those tasks in a timely manner."

DiCindio participated in a Value Stream Analysis and Rapid Improvement Event on the AN/TPS-75 antenna trigger process, and his expertise helped devise an effective way to mount and dismount the Butler Matrix, which is a 220 pound box attached to the antenna.

"Joe consistently maintains the Lean production boards in an attempt to convey the best possible information to organizations involved in the success of the TPS-75 program," Chupko explains.

DiCindio also volunteered to go to Iraq to repair antenna elevating jack screws. However, because he helped develop photo documentation, along with Production Engineering's mechanical engineer Don Cook, and step-by-step instructions, the need for two Tobyhanna technicians to travel to Iraq to perform repairs on the antenna was eliminated and he did not go.

Chupko says that DiCindio has created many time-saving techniques to make the organization more efficient and productive, noting that "he conveys the proper procedures for completing day-to-day tasks safely and effectively.

DiCindio resides in Dunmore with his wife, Sarah, and son, Jack.

All civilian employees are eligible for the Employee of the Quarter Award. Winners can also receive an optional special parking space for the quarter in addition to the $500 cash award and plaque. Workers selected as an employee of the quarter are eligible to compete at the U.S. Army CECOM Life Cycle Management Command-level.

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 5,600 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 CECOM Life Cycle Management Command. Headquartered at Fort Monmouth, N.J., 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.