Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland (April 13, 2016) -- Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD), Pennsylvania, hosted its second Annual Industry Day yesterday to enhance government and industry partnerships. The three day event opened with welcoming remarks from Maj. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford, U.S. Army Communications -- Electronics Command (CECOM) Commanding General and higher headquarters of TYAD.
The second Annual Depot event brought together more than 100 small, mid and large businesses to explain TYAD's contracting process, current and future available opportunities, potential avenues available for contract exploration, network building and mentor-protégé relationships where a large business could partner with a smaller entity; thereby developing the mentor-protégé relationship and advancing business on both sides while focusing on the Army's #1 priority -- readiness.
Joining Crawford on the opening session were Pamela Callicut, Deputy, Director, Army Office of Small Business Programs and Nancy Small, U.S. Army Materiel Command Small Business Office.
"I was lucky enough to do this event last year, its inaugural year," Crawford said. "While I will admit to a certain partiality to the Army depot here at Toby, partiality or not, you are standing in what I consider to be a true National Treasure."
Crawford made special note to not only welcome the representatives from industry but thanked them, for their time in coming.
"Thank you for your time today because your time is precious and key in addressing our Army's #1 priority -- readiness," he said. "One of the things I am out in the world talking about is that if you, industry, are not engaged at one of our 23 depots and arsenals, then you are missing out on probably in excess of 70 percent of your total, potential business. Our depots and arsenals, as my boss at Army Materiel Command Gen. Dennis Via says, are doing the work that is essentially the safety blanket of our freedom."
Crawford discussed how today's second annual event was the culmination and continuation of a plan.
"Why are we here today? Because this started with an idea. After about 90 days on my job at CECOM," Crawford said, "I had talked to many of our industry partners out there. And they all admitted to never having been at a depot. Almost to a person the answer was 'no.' So the idea as to what we could do for our industry partners was formed."
Crawford spoke about his belief that the next big fight will be won by the person or firm that comes to the whiteboard with the best idea. "Contracting is a collaborative process," he said. "I respect proprietary boundaries but this three-day period will generate some ideas and creative partnerships and create opportunities for the future and support future readiness. This is about creating collaborative space for great thinkers."
Crawford also spoke to ensuring modernization remained a focus but closed his comments by welcoming all to the depot, asking for hard questions to be raised, and looked forward to establishing relationships going forward.
"I am excited not only for today," Crawford closed, "but for Industry Day 2017. Opportunities will grow and expand. A culmination for 2016; a continuation for 2017 and beyond"
Callicutt then took center stage and discussed Department of Army activities and efforts at the Depot, representing her boss, Tommy Marks, who could not make the event.
"Toby is a large supporter of Small Businesses over the years," Callicutt said. "The numbers reflect and show Toby's and the Army's commitment to small business and the return on investment such support brings.
Callicut was followed by Small, who used her session not to brief, but to go around the room and have individuals outside the government announce who they were, who they represent and what they do. "This is after all, about you," she said.
Included in the introductions was that of Ms. Andrea Armstrong, CECOM's new Director of Small Business Programs Office. "The Small Business numbers here at Toby are extraordinary and surpassed all goals," Armstrong said. "We are right on track for this year. Opportunities exist here. If you are here looking for opportunity, you came to the right place."
The opening day activities were only the beginning of the three-day event. When the higher headquarters representatives were finished, TYAD Commander Col. Gregory Peterson and his staff commanded the floor and discussed specifics for business opportunities at TYAD itself. The remained of the days included tours at the Depot as well as presentations from regional entities such as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, the Pocono Mountain Economic Development Corp., and the Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
Attendees were pleased.
"We are a Veteran-owned, disabled-veteran small business," said Mark Mongilutz, Director of Logistic Services at Universal Solutions International from Fairfax/Hampton Roads, Virginia. "We obviously are out of territory being here but we are always looking for growth opportunities. We do all the Industry/Depot days to leave no stone unturned in the current business environment. This is shaping into a great event and as good an opportunity to network with large and small business across the spectrum."
"This is my first time at TYAD," said Tina Harrison, Vice-President of DC-based Infinity Solutions, Inc. "The numbers are great, but I think they have been stagnant in the Women-Owned Business area for some time. I'd like to see it expand. It's good, but how about getting better? I have found this to be extremely helpful just this morning alone. I raised one question to the General and it got me a multitude of people and contacts that I think will open the door and generate something new.The General even approached me during the break and gave me some direct, hands-on guidance that was personable and really showed his belief and commitment in the program that was true and genuine. That spoke volumes."
The three-day event concludes on Wednesday, April 14. with a panel entitled "Ensuring the Strength of the National Technical Industrial Base" and include panelists such as Gary Martin, Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, Communications -- Tactical; Steven Karl, Director of Acquisition Logistics Policy and Programs, and Jesse Barber, AMC Command Ombudsman.
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