Tobyhanna Army Depot, PA –
Tobyhanna Army Depot’s employees of the quarter for the 2nd quarter of FY26 are Brian Kohn of the Directorate of Mission Execution Aircraft Survivability Equipment Branch and Captain Stephen Sheridan of the Directorate of Installation Services Fire & Emergency Services Branch. Kohn and Sheridan earned senior and junior category recognition, respectively.
Sheridan earned employee of the quarter recognition for his outstanding efforts to make Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Fire & Emergency Services Branch more efficient through comprehensive financial tracking, meticulous budgeting, and enhanced transparency in financial reporting.
This increased efficiency means Sheridan and the other members of the branch can better provide vital lifesaving support to the nearly 3,000 members of Tobyhanna’s dynamic workforce as well as the members of Team Tobyhanna residing in neighboring communities they serve.
Specifically, Sheridan volunteered to overhaul the branch’s budgeting process by creating a spreadsheet that accounts for every line item and expenditure. This initiative enhances financial responsibility and transparency by allowing the branch to prioritize appropriate resources, better project future budget requests, and ensure compliance with regulatory and lawful requirements.
In nominating Sheridan for the honor, Tobyhanna Army Depot Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Ward commended Sheridan’s “(fostering) a culture of teamwork, resilience, and dedication.”
“Whether it's taking on extra responsibilities to advance operations or covering for colleagues, his actions demonstrate a profound sense of responsibility and selflessness. These characteristics enhance teamwork and cultivate a culture of trust and mutual support, ultimately enabling us to achieve our collective goals more effectively and inspiring the spirit of service,” said Ward.
Ward added that Sheridan’s efforts have had a ripple effect on the effectiveness of the branch and have reinforced organizational principles, saying “Sheridan fostered a culture of teamwork, resilience, and dedication that inspired his colleagues to adopt a similar work ethic. By implementing innovative strategies and fostering a culture of accountability, Stephen has not only improved operational workflows but has also inspired his colleagues to strive for continuous improvement,” said Ward.
Sheridan’s work is representative of the dedication to mission and the community displayed by all members of Tobyhanna’s Fire & Emergency Services Branch.
“Captain Sheridan’s selfless service is a hallmark of the Fire & Emergency Services Branch’s success, exemplified by his unwavering commitment to prioritizing the needs of others,” said Ward.
Sheridan said it is humbling to be recognized for the service he and his teammates take pride in providing to our installation and its surrounding community.
“I’m honored and appreciate being recognized as employee of the quarter. I’m grateful to work alongside such a dedicated team here in the fire department, and I take pride in knowing the work we do positively impacts both Tobyhanna and our local community,” said Sheridan.
Kohn is receiving the distinction for expertly guiding a team of 18 mechanics across 24 programs and flawlessly managing 919 assets to solidify the Aircraft Survivability Equipment Branch’s outstanding 99.8% quality rating on more than 565 inspections. He set the standard for excellence as a meticulous mechanic on the AN/APR-39 program, achieving a perfect rating across 22 inspections while diligently maintaining his Certified Electronics Technician certification. Additionally, he also fortified the cost center's compliance with AS9100/9110 standards by acquiring additional storage units for nonconforming parts, an action that directly enhanced asset security and tracking efficiency.
Kohn drove improvements to depot effectiveness by enhancing the shop's core capabilities and processes. He strengthened team self-sufficiency by implementing a new internal process and coordinated the required equipment and training to eliminate dependance on outside assistance. Taking further initiative, he collaborated with the depot’s Engineering & Cyber Directorate to overhaul a vital mission involving multiple organizations. By serving as the lead representative for the changes, his guidance eliminated process ambiguity and eradicated rejects and ensured seamless operations continued without interruption.
Daniel Kozlowski serves as supervisor in the Avionics & Sensors/Aircraft Survivability Equip Branch. He said that Kohn’s daily commitment to excellence has positively impacted the culture of the organization.
“Mr. Kohn set an example for others through actions that improved the depot's capabilities and reputation. He researched and acquired a specialized tool for the MQ-9 Reaper program that increased team proficiency, an action noted by L3 Harris during the team's quarterly Program Management Review,” said Kozlowski. “He also represented the organization by leading two mission tours for 25 key managers from customers like BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and CECOM. Furthermore, his oversight in preparing for a new common missile warning system workload was a direct factor in the team securing $102K in new funding, which contributed to the expansion of the depot's mission.”
Kohn said that being honored in this way means a great deal to him.
“I feel very honored to have the work I do be recognized. This award means a great deal to me as hard work is something I hold in high regard,” said Kohn. “Again, I appreciate the recognition.”
The employee of the quarter awards and other employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna's long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 - specifically the Invest in Our People line of effort. The goal of Tobyhanna Army Depot’s plan is to strive to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of War's premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is designated as the Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), electronics, avionics, and missile guidance and control. TYAD provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support through depot-level repair, systems integration, software and cyber engineering, and field support. A key enabler of operational readiness for Joint and Allied Forces globally, TYAD leverages new and emerging technologies to further expand the Department of War’s organic capabilities for microelectronics, secure communications infrastructure, uncrewed aircraft systems, Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), and the Army’s Next Generation Combat Systems (NGC2). TYAD’s ability to rapidly surge production, deploy field support teams, and scale for contingency or theater-level operations makes it a vital contributor to strategic readiness and operational reach