This year DeVal Lifecycle Support turns 70, and to kick off the celebrations we hosted a Legacy Team luncheon to honor our long-term employees who have exhibited exemplary work and leadership skills throughout their decades-long tenure. These 12 employees’ work spans departments such as accounting, operations, assembly, engineering and contracting. With over 300 years of collective knowledge between them, these leaders are dedicated to passing along the tribal knowledge they’ve gained over the years to future leaders. Four of the twelve honorees have been working at DeVal since they were in high school, a testament to their dedication to their work and the company.
“You couldn’t ask for a better group of mentors” states David Carosiello, Vice President of Strategic Relationships “Working in the defense industry is incredibly nuanced, with a barrage of processes and customer requirements that need to be followed. Add in the gravity of manufacturing Support Equipment being used by our armed forces, and the dedication of this group of individuals to perfecting their craft through the years is apparent through the work that they do.”
“Not only is this group incredibly skilled at their jobs, they take the time to really explain why they do what they do and how that applies to the people they lead while taking care of everyone around them.” adds Melissa Tarte, HR Manager. “They’ve created not only an environment of learning but have made DeVal a place where employees go above and beyond what is necessary to help newer employees. Ed Magid will spend hours explaining the significance of his projects, Deanna Earle always hosts lunches and parties for employees at her home. Gary Smith has fed and cared for the stray cats that live in the alley ways near DeVal for years. In every aspect, this group of individual’s work and humanity is what has made DeVal the success it is today.”
The 12 DeVal Legacy Team Members are:
Dominic Durinzi- Executive Vice President of Product 55 years
Dominic Durinzi has been with DeVal since June of 1968, working part time while he was in high school and college. He joined the company full time in 1974 as the Director of Engineering, and in 1989 he purchased DeVal with two other employees and became President. After selling DeVal to its current owner, Sam Thevanayagam, Dominic now leads our innovation efforts while mentoring and teaching the new generation about manufacturing and engineering.
George Bartkus - Special Projects Manager 45 years
George Bartkus has been working with DeVal for 45 years and has served as the welding supervisor and manual machining supervisor. In his current role, George manages special projects and lends his expertise to the welding and maintenance departments. In his spare time, George enjoys spending time at his vacation home in the Pocono Mountains with his family.
Bob Macintosh - Machine Shop Supervisor 45 years
Bob Macintosh has dedicated 45 years to DeVal, currently supervising the entire machine shop. He is responsible for overseeing both manual machining and CNC mill and lathe operations, as well as managing the shop's employees.
Deanna Earle - Accounting Manager 41 years
Deanna manages DeVal's accounting activities including financial reporting, billing, collections, and payroll. Starting her career in Data Entry for Accounts Payable following high school, she was a pioneer in the department's transition to computerization. With time, Deanna expanded her expertise to various accounting roles, payroll, and accounts receivable, also contributing significantly to the HR team.
Ed Smith - Manufacturing Process Manager 38 years
Ed Smith brings 38 years of experience to DeVal as the Manufacturing Process Manager. He is integral in providing first-time build drawings in collaboration with engineering, establishing routings for jobs, and designing welding and machining fixtures. Ed's role is crucial in supporting both the engineering and manufacturing divisions. Ed and Gary Smith are brothers.
Gary Smith - Assembly Manager 38 years
Gary Smith has been with DeVal for 38 years, and manages the assembly department and production schedule. Brother to Ed Smith, Gary is an avid Philadelphia Flyers fan and animal lover, with two pets: his dog Angus and cat Malcolm.
Maureen Hettel - Contracts Manager 35 years
Maureen started part-time at DeVal while attending St. Hubert's Catholic High School two blocks away. Initially handling clerical duties for the auditing department, she quickly expanded her expertise to include auditing, contracting, and billing. A specialist in DoD’s Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) reporting system, Maureen now serves as Contracts Manager, overseeing significant customer accounts and contracts. A lover of all things spooky, Maureen keeps us entertained with her creative Halloween decorations.
Ed Magid - Innovation Projects Manager 27 years
Ed Magid, part of DeVal since 1985 and returning in 2007, brings a total of 27 years to the team. Previously leading special projects and handling tasks from proof load testing to machine maintenance, he now directs Innovation Projects, guiding the company under Dominic's leadership. Ed also enjoys using his engineering expertise to rebuild cars in his spare time.
Hung Ta - Welder 19 years
Hung Ta is our longest tenured welder working at DeVal for 19 years. He started on our maintenance crew and was taught to weld by George Bartkus. A family man, he has been married for over 30 years and is a proud father of four children. Hung has a passion for music, which he enjoys in his downtime.
Cesar Montanez - Quality Control Manager 16 years
Cesar Montanez, with 16 years at DeVal, supports the Quality Manager by overseeing the inspection and testing of parts, materials, and components. He ensures that drawing and customer testing requirements are met during both receiving and first-piece inspections. An Army veteran, Cesar takes great pride in his meticulous work.
Ray Weise - Director of Operations 12 years
Ray Weise, Director of Operations at DeVal, oversees manufacturing activities, strategic execution, and resource coordination. He manages manufacturing managers and workflow planning. Starting as a high school intern, Ray is also an avid Philadelphia Flyers fan and participates in an ice hockey league.
Pastor Timothy Tran – Recruitment & Facilities Manager 4 years
Pastor Tran, our Recruitment & Facilities Manager for 4 years, is a jack-of-all-trades at DeVal. He provides spiritual support as our corporate chaplain, recruits factory workers, handles employee relations, and oversees maintenance and facilities. He also runs a farm and ministry retreat center outside of work.
Among our esteemed guests were members from Esperanza Academy Charter School. In 1987, Esperanza, a community development organization located in North Philadelphia, was established with the purpose of strengthening Hispanic communities. At the core of its mission, both then and today is education – the key to empowering communities to improve their conditions. Esperanza Academy Charter School offers a quality education that prepares critically thinking, socially capable, spiritually sensitive, and culturally aware young adults.
We’re thrilled to support Esperanza Academy in building the next generation of Philadelphia’s leaders with integrity, equipping our future trades and engineering workforce with the necessary skills needed for future employment, brining hope to the North Philadelphia community, and to enable economic development in our city. In supporting these initiatives, DeVal Lifecycle Support presented Esperanza Academy with a check for $5,000 for their Senior High School Robotics Program. Funds will be used to support the equipment needs for two competitive teams to represent Esperanza in robotics competitions against other schools – an important opportunity for students to exercise their STEM education. This exposure and skill development will grow the visibility and enthusiasm for the youth Esperanza serves each year.
Thank you to our Legacy Team employees for their continued work in mentoring the next generation of leaders! We’re grateful for all that you do.
DeVal Lifecycle Support, a Parts Life, Inc. Company, is a full service build to print mechanical manufacturer of armament and ground support equipment, sub-assemblies, and major parts and components for military systems and sub-systems for over 60 years. As a small business certified HUBZone contractor for the Department of Defense, DeVal LCS is a full-service original equipment manufacturer with extensive high precision machining capabilities used to support our prime and government customers. Products include munitions trailers adapters & add-ons, drawbars, cargo loaders, weapon transport adapters, bomb hoist, dollies, self-propelled weapons loaders, testing and tool sets, and more. DeVal operates under regimented performance guidelines constituted by ISO9001:2015 and AS9100D Certified Quality Management Systems Programs.