The USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region recently selected Troy Phillis, a Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest employee, and a 1992 graduate of Oregon Institute of Technology, as the Region’s Technology Applications Employee of the Year for 2023.

In March 2024 Pacific Northwest Region Forest Service identified winners for annual Engineer of the Year Awards in four categories. Award recipients were nominated by their supervisors, peers, and employees. Phillis known to consistently deliver a high caliber work performance, was recognized for taking initiative in completing priority work for the agency. 

“Troy’s achievements on our Forest cannot be overstated,” said Dan Quinones, acting Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Supervisor, “He has helped us further develop one of the best fleet organizations in the Region. Our shop and crew follow impeccable standards of safety, quality, and service. Troy has not only created that superior standard of safety, quality, and service – but has also significantly enhanced Fleet capabilities and efficiency while doing so.”

Over the last year, Phillis completed an ongoing five-year research and development project intended to capitalize fully on digital tracking of fleet repair costs among other analyses. Phillis tactfully pursued and received agency approval to use a Commercial Off the Shelf vehicle maintenance software tracking program, Shop Controller. Phillis guided a highly collaborative process that included significant interaction and communication with the Forest Service Information Technology Department, other agency fleet staff, and multiple software vendors.  

Phillis didn’t’ stop there. His second large achievement in 2023 was to convert the method of tracking bulk fuel inputs and outputs into a fully automated system. To do this, Phillis established and implemented a cell-based digital fuels issuance and reporting system for seven bulk fuel tanks, across the Forest. The new digital system eliminates 99% of the manual tracking of fuel dispensed. More importantly this eliminates “spillage” for unaccounted fuels dispensed, saving significant time and money.

“I enjoy applying new and proven technology to add value to our fleet programs at the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest across the agency. I am especially proud of the vehicle maintenance shop management software that we have been using since 2017, and the success it has generated in tracking vehicle maintenance history and cost.”

Phillis grew up in Crane, Oregon and graduated in 1982 from Crane Union High School. He started his automotive career with a Bachelor of Science in Diesel Power from Oregon Institute of Technology. He continues to enjoy 32 years and counting of experience in heavy equipment and light duty vehicles including fleet management for the Forest Service.