DRG Employee of the Quarter: James Price - Electronics Maintenance Technician III

James Price Electronics Maintenance Technician III

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Air Commando Training and Support (ACTS),

Cannon Air Force Base

James Price credits his 20-year career in the Air Force for teaching him the value of patience and hard work. Those attributes paid off this year when he was tasked with conducting a complete 100% supply audit on the AFSOC ACTS program. He conducted a majority of the audit by himself and identified a deficiency in the process. “James Price is an exceptional member of the DRG team,” said Luis Mejia, Contractor Logistics Support Manager for the AFSOC ACTS program at Cannon Air Force Base. “He identified multiple improper inventory practices, part tracking documentation and missing parts. While this alone is an incredible undertaking, he then engaged the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin (LM), and helped correct all the issues.” Price has spent countless hours restoring integrity to the system and regaining the confidence of the customer. “He was key to preventing any adverse action being taken by the prime and continues to leave a good impression of not only himself but of DRG. Currently, he is continuing to correct errors and has implemented stricter guidelines in the supply process that are not only followed at his site but at all AFSOC ACT sites,” Mejia said. Price joined DRG in June 2021 as an electronics maintenance technician III with the AFSOC ACTS program. He previously served as a technician on the AC-130H/U/W/Js, MH-53s, C-5Ms, and C-17s in an environment with a high operational tempo but had never had experience in supply management. Mejia said Price’s lack of a supply management background is what makes his efforts exceptionally impressive. “He has had to learn the entire system on his own, identifying errors and correcting them,” he said. Price was hand-selected to go to Hurlburt Field to correct over 15 major discrepancies found during an audit conducted by LM. He provided training and helped correct all the discrepancies before leaving the site. “He was instrumental in changing the culture at Hurlburt Field and was able to leave a good impression with LM QA,” Mejia said. Price’s fondest memory of his time in service was traveling the world with his brothers and sisters in arms, where he deployed with his three favorite aircraft – the AC-130H/U/W – in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Willing Spirit, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Short-notice deployments and family separation were the greatest challenges. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife of 11 years, Melanie, and their two daughters, Dausha, 17, and Amelia, 10. He relaxes by tinkering with computers, cars, and motorcycles. “Currently, my youngest and I are in the process of restoring a 1985 Chevy Silverado K20,” Price said.