[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF COLONEL CHRISTOPHER O. MOHAN, USA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB BISHOP

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, for the past two years, Tooele Army 
Depot, Utah, has been led by an outstanding officer whose record of 
achievement certainly deserves recognition. Colonel Christopher O. 
Mohan, USA, assumed command of Tooele Army Depot on July 19, 2011.
   From the moment he assumed command, Colonel Mohan's commitment to 
worker safety became apparent. He implemented solid safety policies and 
procedures and, as a result, in 2012-2013, the depot achieved more than 
350 consecutive days without a loss-time injury. This was the best 
record in Joint Munitions Command as well as Army Materiel Command, 
AMC. In 2013, the depot continues to prepare for the Voluntary 
Protection Program, VPP, Star Status.
   In 2013, the Army implemented the Logistics Modernization Program, 
LMP. Under Colonel Mohan's guidance, the installation continued to 
succeed with implementation of LMP, which modernizes the systems and 
processes associated with managing the Army's supply chain at the 
national and installation levels. LMP also permits the planning, 
forecasting, and rapid order fulfillment leading to streamlined supply 
lines, improved distribution, a reduced theater footprint, and a 
warfighter who is equipped and ready to respond to present and future 
threats.
   Colonel Mohan's leadership led the depot to excel in continuous 
improvement efforts. In 2011-2012, significant savings were realized 
through this concerted depot wide effort, with a LLS ($916K) and Value 
Engineering ($1.2) combined total savings and cost avoidance that 
exceeds $2.1 million. Considering the depot's $64 million annual 
budget, a savings of over $2 million is a major accomplishment for a 
small installation with approximately 473 personnel. The realization of 
these savings was a result to successful partnering with all 
directorates on the base, and assisting them with their goals and 
simplifying the process. This year he continued a focus on furthering 
simple LEAN techniques such as taking ``5S'' techniques throughout all 
of Tooele's shops. He also continued to promote Visual Management 
Boards, which serve as directorate and lower scoreboards.
   Tooele Army Depot exceeded the Value Engineering goal last year by 
16 percent, and continued that trend this year, exceeding the goal by 
23 percent with actual savings of $1.2 million which is even more 
remarkable taking place during a difficult time of defense budget cuts 
and limited dollars for projects and infrastructure.
   Colonel Mohan's guidance was instrumental in continuing to utilize 
simplified acquisition procedures that maximize the use of standard 
commercial items and services procured using combined solicitation and 
synopsis. Tooele Army Depot has promoted the use of the Government 
Purchase Card to the maximum extent practicable. Usage for FY12 was 
11,003 purchase card transactions and Tooele's percentage of purchase 
card orders placed was 99 percent, exceeding the Army goal of 90 
percent.
   In 2012, Tooele Army Depot shipped approximately 34,892 tons of 
conventional ammunition and received 36,328 tons of conventional 
ammunition. Colonel Mohan supported the Ammunition community in 
demilitarizing 3460 tons of outdated ammunition.
   During Colonel Mohan's command, the Garrison Office exceeded the 
Joint Munitions Command, JMC, Commanding General's goal of reducing 
energy consumption by 10 percent with a total energy consumption 
reduction of 15 percent. In addition, Tooele has reduced energy 
consumption 96.68 percent from its Army Energy and Water Reporting 
System, AEWRS, 2003 base year. Tooele's wind turbine produced 
approximately 2.051 MW of power during 2012.
   Colonel Mohan contributed to the organization and planning of the 
1.5MW Stirling solar electrical generation project. A groundbreaking 
for this planned and funded alternative energy project occurred in 
August 2012, and will lead to the eventual installation of 430 power 
dishes over 30 acres of depot property. In recognition of the 
importance of this project, Colonel Mohan was privileged to host a 
visit by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey, as 
well as top Army officials and State and Local government officials, to 
this groundbreaking event.
   Colonel Mohan's guidance and leadership led the depot to excel in 
financial management. During 2012, the planned revenue was $60 million, 
but actually received $74.5 million. Planned direct labor hours were 
441K and actual labor hours used as 464.7K. 2012 was the third 
consecutive year that Tooele Army depot execution rate was reduced.
   Colonel Mohan's command of Tooele Army Depot will conclude on July 
10, 2013, as he will assume another assignment of leadership within the 
Army Materiel Command.
   In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I join with all of the Utah 
Congressional Delegation in thanking Colonel Christopher Mohan for his 
distinguished service to Tooele Army Depot, to the State of Utah, to 
the United States Army, and to the Nation. He leaves behind an 
admirable record of dedicated leadership that is to be commended, and 
we wish him and his family the best in their new endeavors.

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