Anthony Portanova

What’s your current position? 

 For the past two years, I have served as the Chief of the Secure Communications Project Management Branch at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD). I support a team of 30+ personnel who manage most of the radios TYAD supports. This involves managing repairs, fieldings, stock, store, issue and inventory as well as managing the fabrication of cabling and bracketry to support installing the radios in various platforms across the DOD as well as other customers (White House Communications Agency, NSA, etc.).

What are you most passionate about?

 I am most passionate about developing and empowering my team. They are capable of doing amazing things - the biggest challenge has been letting them see that for themselves and getting them comfortable making decisions.

Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are? 

 I have had several people impact my life, but my biggest influence has to be my father. He taught me a work ethic and dedication that has served me well my entire career and he always kept a sense of humor.

How did you learn about Leadership Lackawanna?

 I knew about Leadership Lackawanna through several peers who attended earlier classes. I got to attend the 2022 Core program. It was a great experience working with a talented and diverse group of amazing professionals. It was especially awesome to help rejuvenate the waiting area for the Teen Center of the Children’s Advocacy Center. I learned a lot from my fellow students and instructors, but my biggest take away was the power of the simple, handwritten thank you notes. Since graduating, I have attended several events and gotten to know various other alumni.

Let’s get personal:  tell us your favorite movie, favorite book, favorite tv show, favorite NEPA landmark, or favorite local restaurant!

 My favorite book of all time is Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Not only is it a great story, but OSC predicts influencers, blogging, and their impacts on politics in a book first published in 1984.