An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Organization : Article Display
NEWS | Jan. 30, 2023

Supervisor of the Quarter Award highlights outstanding Tobyhanna leader

By Ms. Danielle E. Weinschenk

Christopher Sheerer was named Tobyhanna Army Depot’s newest Supervisor of the Quarter during the organization’s quarterly leadership meeting last week.

Sheerer earned the award for his leadership of the Production Engineering Directorate’s Site Installation & SATCOM Engineering and Site Prep & Baseband Engineering Branches.

Supervisors of the Quarter are rated by a panel of judges on accomplishment of their duties; how effectively they set an example to others; their efforts to improve the productivity of the depot; and how they display selfless service in accordance with Army values.

Sheerer says the award came as a total surprise.

“I absolutely did not expect this,” he said. “It is an honor, and I am especially excited to be nominated by the employees I have worked with.”

Teammates lauded Sheerer for leading with approachability and empathy. In addition, they note that he goes above and beyond when it comes to keeping in touch with a global workforce.

“Chris made it his mission to learn how our Branch operates, no matter where we were. He used his background to help put the right team members in the right places, benefiting both the depot and our customers,” said Salvatore Luzio, a civil engineer in the Site Prep & Baseband Engineering Branch.

Luzio also gave rave reviews to Sheerer’s emotional intelligence, citing a people-first approach during a workplace tragedy.

“When a close coworker passed away last year, there was a huge void on our team, and we all felt the loss deeply,” he explained. “We were so appreciative that Chris took the time to check in with each of us, offer us many types of support, and was truly there for us. He is a great supervisor and a great person all around. I am fortunate to have had him as my Chief.”

Public Affairs Assistant Nicole Samsell also celebrated Sheerer’s leadership abilities.

“I feel fortunate to have started my career at Tobyhanna working for such a supportive supervisor. Chris is never too busy to share engineering expertise or volunteer his efforts elsewhere on the depot. I especially respect his diplomatic approach to challenges within his team, both personally and professionally.”

Sheerer started his depot career in 2009 as a civil engineer in the Installation Services Directorate, later holding temporary leadership roles in the Engineering Branch as well as the Quality Management Directorate before becoming a permanent supervisor.

He noted he has been inspired by many along the way, from co-workers to leaders and friends, with one group having the largest effect.

“My employees have undoubtedly shaped me as a person and leader.”

When asked about the secret to his leadership success, Sheerer says the answer is simple.

“Get to know your people. Take an interest in what is important to them and learn what motivates them. It is a small investment of time – one that pays tremendous dividends in the end.”

The Supervisor of the Quarter award – and its companion Employee of the Quarter award – are TOBY2035 initiatives aligned with the Invest in Our People line of effort. The plan, which has three additional focus areas, strives to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense's premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners.

Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters.

About 3,100 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.