By Vicky Falcón
NAVAIR Public Affairs Office

The National Institute of Packaging, Handling and Logistics Engineers (NIPHLE) presented its Logistics Award on May 11, 2005, to Donald H. Myers, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Analyst, for his professionalism, hard work and contribution to the field of packaging.

NIPHLE is a group of professionals whose interests in the complex and diverse practice of distribution and logistics is a common bond with a goal of establishing a realistic understanding of Industrial and Government logistics and solving logistics problems through proper packaging and handling design. The annual achievement awards recognize individual accomplishment by professionals representing these disciplines.

Myers, who began his career at NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville more than 30 years ago, now works at NAVAIR Patuxent River and is responsible for developing, preparing and/or implementing NAVAIR Industrial World Class Quality Program policies, requirements, procedures, guidance and direction.

“Donnie’s accomplishments in this area are just one among several of his important efforts here at NAVAIR to provide cost-wise readiness and maritime combat power to our warfighters,” said Yvette Bose, AIR-6.4 Industrial Quality Department Head and Myers’ immediate supervisor.

“As AIR-6.4’s Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP) Instruction Lead and NAMP Working Committee member, he has been instrumental in facilitating major updates to these policies and requirements to ensure the application of best business practices,” she said. “Donnie is working closely with CNAF, AIR-6.9 and the Depots to coordinate a total revision to the 4790 Volume II that will focus on up-front planning, controlled execution and continuous improvement of maintenance at all levels.”

According to the written justification for Myers’ award, he distinguished himself from 1998 – 2003 as the Department of the Navy (DON), NAVAIR and Naval Supply Systems Command Co-chair, lead and facilitator of the Department for Defense and DON Preservation, Packaging, Handling, Storage and Transportability (PHS&T) Working Group.

As Co-chair for the Group, Myers brought together many key players from at least 14 agencies and commands to identify and apply best practices to improve the storage of assets at each supply node – a demanding assignment well beyond his routine workload plan objectives.

“We at NAVAIR take great pride in working with all throughout DOD, DON and the private sector in support of our military forces,” said Myers. “It is organizations such as NIPHLE that provide us the motivation to accomplish our combined mission, goals and objectives.”

Myers is also credited with making the PHS&T initiative a central part of the reengineering of Naval Air Industrial business processes by integrating PHS&T in Business Process Reengineering initiatives, Corp Process (CP) 3-1-3 (Competitively Source Packing and Preservation).

He further facilitated and coordinated the preparation of a Memorandum of Agreement between DLA, NAVAIR and the NAVSUP which outlines and defines responsibilities required for the execution and performance of Naval Aviation Industrial Preservation, Packing, Packaging and Marking (PPP&M) and related services for all material in support of NAVAIR Industrial activities. As a result of their efforts, the Navy/Marine Corps achieved a $2.012M annual and $18.36M five-year savings.

“Donnie Myers represents the kind of dedication and talent that can be found throughout the entire NAVAIR organization,” said Bose. “We’re all very proud of him for winning this award.”

More information about NIPHLE and their awards program can be found at www.NIPHLE.com.