Collins and Lucas drive mission success as latest Employees of the Quarter

Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is honoring Budget Analyst Nikki Collins and Management Assistant Mariah Lucas as the Employees of the Quarter for the third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2025.

Collins and Lucas, who earned senior and junior category recognition respectively, earned these awards for their selfless service and extraordinary efforts to make Tobyhanna a more efficient and effective readiness provider for our nation’s warfighters.

As a Budget Analyst within TYAD’s Resource Management Directorate, Collins provides in-depth analysis of actual and plan data for financial, man-hour, manpower, and rate data. During the third quarter of the current fiscal year, she led the completion of the TYAD FY27 Budget Estimate Submission (BES). She ensured the more than 30 budget schedules were accurately completed, Army Materiel Command (AMC) mandated expense reductions were achieved, the TYAD submission into the AMC Vantage system was accurate, briefing charts to TYAD leadership and AMC were completed on time, and more.

Collins is earning the honor for developing an easy to replicate, Microsoft Excel-based labor expense application that provides TYAD with labor expense estimates by person. This includes the calculation of within-grade increases, cost of living adjustments, and fringe benefits through the BES pricing year within hours. The application also allows for monitoring actual data during the execution year with minimal manipulation. The application has allowed TYAD to respond to AMC labor expense questions in support of the FY27 BES.

Deana Haikes serves as Budget Officer of the Program Budget and Execution Division and works with Collins’ as her supervisor. She offered praise for her professionalism and initiative, noting that her dedication sets a standard for others to follow.

“Nikki sets the example for all TYAD analysts to follow. She anticipates questions and provides the responses that will be necessary to ensure the decision making is accurate,” said Haikes. “She is always available to provide guidance to fellow analysts in the form of emails, written operating procedures, and she has now been working to record live procedures through MS Teams so fellow analysts can walk through processes while listening and watching the work be performed. Nikki not only wants to know the how, she also always seeks out the why which is exactly what analysts must do.”

Haikes also highlighted Collins’ selflessness and integrity, emphasizing the many additional responsibilities she takes on to support her team and the depot’s mission.

“Nikki displays humility and integrity on a daily basis in all she does. She accepts additional tasks such as acting as the division’s point-of-contact for Student Loan Repayment and Army Expeditionary Civilian Workforce and serving as a Functional Analyst for the Quality Directorate, just to name a few,” said Haikes. “During the third quarter of FY25, she accepted the responsibility of leading the FY27 BES to completion, something she did selflessly knowing and acknowledging it was the right thing to do to free up time for her teammates to complete other projects and knowing that she wanted to ensure the TYAD BES was given the attention it deserves as the Depot strategic financial plan.”

Reflecting on the achievement, Collins expressed gratitude for the colleagues and mentors who have helped shape her journey.

“I am honored to be selected as employee of the quarter. I am fortunate to work alongside a team that sets the standard for working hard every day and helping others simply because it’s the right thing to do,” said Collins. “They challenge me to learn more and find new efficiencies. This award is truly a reflection of the exceptional coworkers, mentors, and trainers I’ve had the privilege to learn from during my time at Tobyhanna.”

It’s not hyperbolic to say Lucas’ efforts in Tobyhanna’s Public Works Division keep the installation running.

As a Management Assistant, Lucas is the driving force behind the division operating expertly and efficiently.

Lucas is being named an employee of the quarter for her willingness to go above and beyond to ensure mission success. When the division experienced a shortfall due to employee retirement, Lucas ensured the vital services provided by public works would continue without interruption or inefficiency by absorbing additional responsibilities and mastering the Enterprise Task Management Software Solution and Total Employee Development platforms.

Jody Oustrich, Deputy Director of Installation Services, nominated Lucas for the award and said her proactivity and adaptability are what allowed the division to maintain its standard of excellence.

“When our division faced significant challenges due to the retirements of several senior employees, Mariah stepped up without hesitation to absorb additional responsibilities and quickly mastered new systems. Her proactive approach and willingness to learn resulted in a 100% completion rate of all assigned tasks and annual training, the completion of over 70 appraisals on time and without errors, and the efficient processing of over 40 return to work packages,” said Oustrich.

Lucas not only ensured standards were met but also took the initiative to find new ways to optimize division productivity. Lucas integrated a division tasker tracker to ensure accurate and timely updates on all ongoing actions.

“Mariah has not only maintained division functionality but significantly enhanced overall effectiveness and productivity. This dedicated and proactive approach have resulted in a significant increase in overall division productivity,” said Oustrich.

Despite her impressive acumen and accomplishments, perhaps the best asset to the division is her willingness to share her knowledge with others for the greater good of her colleagues and the installation. Oustrich said Lucas’ commitment to individual and team success makes the entire division better.

“Beyond her individual accomplishments, Mariah is a true team player and mentor. She generously shares her knowledge and consistently provides advice and assistance to colleagues, often operating at a level exceeding her current grade. Mariah consistently sets a positive example for all.”

Lucas’ sentiments upon receiving the award make it easy to understand how she has earned a reputation as an excellent team member.

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award. It means so much to me, not only because of the recognition but also because it reflects the incredible environment I’m fortunate enough to be a part of here at Tobyhanna Army Depot. As a Management Assistant, I am grateful for the trust and support I receive every day.”

Lucas said being a part of Team Tobyhanna, and particularly, the Public Works Division, has been rewarding and helped her to better serve our nation and the warfighters who protect it.

“The recognition of my contributions reinforces how valued I feel in this role, and it motivates me to continue doing my best. Working for the Public Works Division has shaped me both personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to contribute and learn. Being part of a dedicated and supportive team, along with great leadership, truly makes my job fulfilling. I look forward to my continued growth and success while furthering my career here at Tobyhanna.”

The Employee of the Quarter awards and other employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna's long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 - specifically the Invest in Our People line of effort. The plan, which has four focus areas – Invest in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications, aims to posture the depot to meet the future needs of the joint warfighter on a multidomain battlefield.

Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is designated as the Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), electronics, avionics, and missile guidance and control. TYAD provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support through depot-level repair, systems integration, software and cyber engineering, and field support. A key enabler of operational readiness for Joint and Allied Forces globally, TYAD leverages new and emerging technologies to further expand the Department of Defense’s organic capabilities for microelectronics, secure communications infrastructure, unmanned aerial systems, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), and the Army’s Next Generation Combat Systems (NGC2). TYAD’s ability to rapidly surge production, deploy field support teams, and scale for contingency or theater-level operations makes it a vital contributor to strategic readiness and operational reach.