TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. - A Systems Integration and Support Directorate employee earned a depot-level award for his knowledge, skill and attention to detail, ultimately helping to improve the quality of the Component Painting Branch's work performance.
Fred Cook, painting worker, claimed the Employee of the Quarter Award for the fourth quarter of the 2008 fiscal year.
He was recognized for his painting and stenciling skills by his supervisor, who noted that Cook's work efforts "directly contributed in maintaining the heavy workload of high priority Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, Firefinder and other high value systems, completing all required [work] ahead of schedule," says Rimas Bildusas.
Bildusas was chief of the branch when he nominated Cook for the award. He is currently a quality assurance specialist in the Productivity, Improvement and Innovation Directorate.
Cook's co-workers also note his attention to detail and willingness to share quicker methods has improved the branch's quality inspection rate.
"He is a great employee; he comes to work prepared to give it his all. He does his job without complaint, and is a great asset to the branch and to SIS," said Jay Wilson, acting branch chief.
The fiscal 2008 inspection pass rate for May was 99.4 percent, which was the highest for the fiscal year.
Bildusas notes the high percentage can be attributed to Cook's "near flawless record of any rejected inspections."
Cook also aided in the refinement of the stenciling process of over 3,000 Blue Force Tracking (BFT) components, keeping the deployment of the assets on time. Bildusas remarked that Cook's ability to single handedly keep pace with the BFT parts enabled the branch flexibility in using manpower on other high priority projects.
Joseph Horan, work leader in the branch, says he is an honest, conscientious, knowledgeable and hardworking employee, "who always gives an excellent day's work."
His co-workers agree that Cook continuously strives to improve the efficiency and quality of the branch's work performance and provides positive suggestions for improvements.
"He is a good mentor and is willing to share his vast amount of knowledge with anyone who is interested," says Bob Swiontek, who has worked with Cook for four years, adding that "he impresses me every day." Swiontek is a painting worker in the branch.
"His skill as a painter is rarely matched, if ever, by anyone at the depot and he shares his knowledge selflessly and without any hesitation," Bildusas explained.
Swiontek adds that Cook "is patient with all new people learning the job, as not to intimidate them."
Cook is also considered a model employee in the branch because of the example he shows through adhering to regulations and policies.
"He's an excellent worker and takes pride in what he does. He's precise and knowledgeable in his work and has a fantastic personality," notes William Legg, adding, "I'm proud to work beside him." Legg is a painter in the branch.
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.
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