ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD -- The Army Materiel Command (AMC) has more than 64,000 employees, spread across the country and around the world, delivering materiel readiness solutions to ensure globally dominant land force capabilities. Recently, 11 of those employees were recognized as recipients of the 2017 Louis Dellamonica Award for AMC Outstanding Personnel of the Year.
Walter L. Hall, an industrial specialist in the Industrial Base Office for the Army Communications-Electronics Command's (CECOM) Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC), was one of three CECOM employees recognized this year.
Hall, a Chicago native, began his civilian service some 9 years ago, working as an intern for the U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems program after graduating from Alabama A&M with a degree in industrial technology.
He came to CECOM as an intern with ILSC, just before the BRAC move from Fort Monmouth, and turned his efforts to the world of obsolescence -- attacking the problem of in other words, parts that were no longer in production, but still a critical requirement for the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems that CECOM still sustains.
His passion for this important problem -- obsolescence has a direct impact on supply part availability -- is obvious.
"I really saw the importance of the mission," Hall said. "If things are obsolete the Soldier can't get his equipment (fully mission capable). The goal is to put structures in place to prevent that from happening."
"Mr. Hall has been very proactive at managing obsolescence issues for CECOM's ILSC by using an obsolescence management software application to identify potential obsolescence candidates early," said Charlie Gonzalez, Chief of the Life Cycle Support and Analysis Branch of the ILSC Logistics & Enterprise Operations Directorate. "Identifying candidates early saves money and allows the organization to strategically plan alternative measures. He knows the command's obsolescence issues inside and out and helps relay technical information to customers in an accessible way.
"Hall's talents are always evident in his performance. He has displayed strong leadership abilities, logical thinking and the ability to work well with teams. He also volunteered to serve as a mentor to interns and pathway students. He is an extraordinary model member of our organization," Gonzalez added.
Hall is responsible for monitoring the Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) Alert Notifications. These ensure that CECOM weapon system managers have the opportunity to provide extended support requirements, in order to bolster weapon system readiness and prevent supply chain interruptions. Hall serves as the DMSMS/Obsolescence Project Lead and supports CECOM with proactive obsolescence health analysis and case management efforts.
The scope of the obsolescence problem at CECOM boggles the mind, given the many C4ISR systems for which CECOM is the materiel integrator. But maybe this can put it into perspective: implementation of Hall's Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Project improvements could potentially save the Army more than $76 million over the course of three years.
"I love industrial technology, I love the industrial base work," Hall said. "I had no idea that I was put in for this award. I knew nothing of what it meant -- it was a complete surprise to me!"
The recognition is awarded to AMC employees whose work accomplishments have significantly contributed to Army Materiel Command's mission, goals and objectives, and who have demonstrated an ability to inspire coworkers to improve the efficiency and quality of their work. The award is named in honor of Louis Dellamonica, a general engineer whose 65-year career at Hawthorne Army Depot, Nevada, exemplified integrity, innovation, leadership and outstanding dedication to Army Materiel Command's mission.
Other CECOM 2017 Dellamonica Award winners for 2017 included fellow ILSC members Jason McDonald, an ILSC operations Manager, and Charlie R. Gonzalez, a Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist, also from ILSC.
Social Sharing