The command acknowledged Christopher Day, who serves as director of the Engines and Dynamic Parts and Industrial Processes divisions, because the depot’s high mentor. Day’s particular expertise for educating his fellow workers and dedication to continuous enchancment earned him the title, leaders mentioned.
Upkeep, Restore and Overhaul (MRO) Manufacturing Division Head Tina Rowe, Day’s supervisor, mentioned he’s exceptionally outfitted to be a mentor as he clearly enjoys serving to others.
“Chris reveals actual dedication to his mentees, and vice versa,” mentioned Rowe. “He didn’t turn out to be a mentor for private acquire; he turned a mentor as a result of he actually loves serving to his coworkers succeed. He’s the kind of supervisor everybody needs to have.
“Chris genuinely cares about his fellow worker’s development and can do all the things he can to assist them alongside their journey right here at FRC East,” Rowe continued. “He’ll cease no matter he’s doing to assist somebody with a difficult scenario. For that, I imagine he’s very deserving of this recognition.”
Day mentioned he was honored by the popularity, which got here as fairly a shock to him.
“Once I realized I used to be chosen for this recognition, I used to be shell shocked,” mentioned Day. “I wouldn’t have anticipated somebody to appoint me. I’m overwhelmed with the thought that somebody took the time to do that for me.”
Day started his profession at FRCE repairing AV-8 plane engines 24 years in the past; he has been in his present place for a little bit below a yr. Whereas he formally turned a mentor when Naval Air Methods Command (NAVAIR) launched a proper mentoring program in 2007, Day mentioned passing alongside useful data to these coming into a brand new place has at all times come naturally to him. The mentors he had towards the start of his profession instilled this in him and had been a key consider each why and the way he turned a mentor himself.
“Once I first turned a piece chief, I had some nice mentors. They spent hours serving to to develop me into a frontrunner. I feel due to that, mentoring got here naturally to me,” mentioned Day. “I’ve at all times been desirous about serving to others and I’ve at all times prolonged a hand to these in want as a result of if I will help, let me know. Come to my workplace and we will discuss.”
In accordance with Matthew Sinsel, head of each the Manufacturing, Machining and Welding Department and the Clear and Paint Department, Day is the kind of mentor who’s at all times keen to lend a serving to hand, particularly if it can assist in his mentee’s success. This made Sinsel’s choice to appoint Day for this award straightforward.
“Chris goes above and past. He’s dedicated to serving to others attain their full potential and be the most effective variations of themselves,” mentioned Sinsel. “He is an effective listener, supplies constructive, non-judgmental suggestions and is each passionate and captivated with his position as a mentor. He demonstrates a optimistic outlook that evokes others to work tougher.”
Sinsel mentioned he nominated Day for Mentor of the Yr as a result of he has witnessed Day’s mentorship assist many others, himself included, on numerous events. Working with Day has supplied him with quite a few shadowing alternatives which have been useful to his job efficiency and enchancment, he mentioned.
“Chris’ reassurance and optimistic suggestions saved me heading in the right direction to make a optimistic influence,” mentioned Sinsel. “His mentorship allowed me to problem myself, work to broaden my information and higher perceive NAVAIR’s mission.”
For Day, being acknowledged as Mentor of the Yr isn’t probably the most fulfilling a part of being a mentor; as a substitute, he feels the true reward is solely realizing the knowledge he supplied to somebody helped them alongside their journey.
“When somebody realizes the knowledge you gave them was of nice worth, they usually come again and say how a lot it truly helped them, that’s what being a mentor is all about,” mentioned Day. “Merely realizing that one brief dialog you had with that individual will resonate with them for the remainder of their profession is rewarding. It is vitally gratifying.”
FRCE is North Carolina’s largest upkeep, restore, overhaul and technical providers supplier, with greater than 4,000 civilian, army and contract employees. Its annual income exceeds $1 billion. The depot supplies service to the fleet whereas functioning as an integral a part of the larger U.S. Navy; Naval Air Methods Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Facilities.
