DRG Employee of the Quarter: Brent Torpy - Electronics Technician

Brent Torpy

Electronics Technician II

A-10 Aircrew Training Systems (ATS), Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Brent Torpy’s can-do spirit and knowledge was instrumental in DRG completing a descope requirement last summer for the A-10 Aircrew Training Systems (ATS) program.

Torpy’s knowledge of the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE), which is the Department of Defense procurement database for Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Disposition Services, was crucial in the entry of more than 250 parts. Utilizing non-productive training hours over the span of 60 days, Torpy processed all simulator and support equipment without assistance for DLA.

Furthermore, Torpy spearheaded centrally locating, organizing, and palletizing all equipment for DLA to load and remove from the site. Those efforts ensured other program personnel maximized student training curriculum requirements. 

Torpy drive’s and initiative to process all the obsolete simulator equipment at the A-10 TSSC warehouse at Davis-Monthan was among several instances where he went above and his prime duties as an electronics technician II. 

“Mr. Torpy is an absolute gem for DRG on A-10...There are no issues he cannot resolve,” said Ryan Winter, A-10 ATS Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) manager at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. “His support of fellow technicians at both CONUS and OCONUS sites remains a vital and irreplaceable asset to the entire program.”

When another technician was troubleshooting a very high level and extremely complex electronics’ task, Winter said Torpy’s knowledge and experience was critical in providing the collaborative effort needed to resolve the simulator trainer issue for DRG’s customer.

“A meaningful byproduct of Mr. Torpy’s efforts is that other technicians now can resolve future trainer issues such as this one,” Winter said.

A Wisconsin native, Torpy is a 20-plus-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served tours of duty in the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, England and Germany as well as combat deployments to Afghanistan and Qatar.

Torpy said the most difficult aspect of participating in the military was “watching the convoys depart outside the wire (in Afghanistan) and then returning with the fallen to load on aircraft going home.”

He said what he learned from the military that have benefited him the most in life are his empathy for others and caution that a situation can change in an instant.

During his military career, Torpy served in a variety of positions including avionics technician, instructor, quality assurance inspector, section chief and production superintendent. The experience he gained in the military has helped him in the civilian world as an electronics technician and field service engineer as well as CLS manager.

Torpy began working for DRG in 2020 on the F-16 Mission Training Center program before moving to the A-10 ATS contract. After Torpy wanted to take a step back from CLS manager to spend more time with his family, DRG was fortunate enough to keep him on the program as an Electronics Technician II.

Torpy and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for more than 30 years. The couple has two adult children: Jacqueline, 26;  and Alexander, 25.

His hobbies including riding motorcycles and shooting guns.