Senior official performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Army Christopher Lowman visited Tobyhanna Army Depot May 20 to recognize a long-standing relationship with the organic industrial base mission and its personnel.
Lowman spoke about Army readiness and priorities, and how his father had once worked on the OV-1 Mohawk program with Tobyhanna’s Deputy Commander Frank Zardecki. He was also on the installation that day to present the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Medal to Zardecki for his superior service in recent years.
The secretary remembered visiting Tobyhanna in the early 1990s as a young, nervous intern. Upon meeting the depot’s second-in-command, he was immediately put at ease when Zardecki flashed a photo of him working alongside Lowman’s father years ago.
“This was a surprise,” said Zardecki about receiving the award. “It’s an honor to work alongside some of the greatest civilian employees the Army and Team Tobyhanna has to offer. This achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication of personnel who strive to provide the best value to the warfighter, every day.”
The leadership qualities exhibited by Zardecki stayed with Lowman throughout his career. He still shares three leadership traits he learned from the deputy commander – share your experience and mentor, encourage horizontal and professional development and be a lifelong learner. All those factors contribute to why Tobyhanna Army Depot is postured the way it is today, he explained.
Zardecki’s impact and ability to communicate with senior military and civilian leaders transformed Tobyhanna Army Depot from traditional repair and overhaul facilities into networks of technology and sustainment in the organic industrial base to support a multi-domain force, according to the citation.
Lowman commended Zardecki for always doing what a good leader should do…take risks and stay up on the latest trends. He emphasized that Zardecki is always on the leading edge, revealing that no other organization in the Department of the Army has an organizational development specialist like Tobyhanna Army Depot.
The citation champions Zardecki’s innovation, strategic planning, and vision, which continuously improves depot business performance, enhances warfighter support and transforms logistics.
For more than 50 years, Zardecki has exemplified the highest standards of selfless service. The citation confirms that the deputy commander’s outstanding performance of duty and dedicated service are in keeping with the highest traditions of civilian service.
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