Last modified Wed., August 30, 2006 - 05:32 PM
Originally created Thursday, August 31, 2006

Depot mechanic wins Artisan of the Quarter

By Frank Taormina,, Naval Air Depot JaxPublic Affairs Specialist

Naval Air Depot Jax Production Officer Cmdr. Doug Killey presents the Artisan of the Quarter Award to Mike Gribble (center) as Al Hammond (left) and Earl Lee look on. Photo by Katherine Midyette

Mike Gribble, an aircraft pneudraulic systems mechanic at the Naval Air (NAVAIR) Depot, Jacksonville recently was awarded the Artisan of the Quarter Award for the Third Quarter, Fiscal Year 2006 in the Industrial Components Repair and Modification Division.

With more than 30 years experience in the aircraft maintenance industry, Gribble was chosen for the award from among 225 artisans in the division.

Gribble was nominated for the award by shop coworkers who then forwarded his nomination to division representatives, who ultimately made the selection.

''I was happy just to be nominated for the award, and winning was a surprise and an honor when you consider the number and talent of my coworkers,''? Gribble said.

Gribble, who has been married for 30 years and has one son and one grandson, is a retired U.S. Navy senior chief petty officer with 20 years of honorable service.

He attributes winning the award to his work ethic, which he said he learned at young age from his parents and continued with the training and leadership skills he acquired from his many years in the Navy.

Cmdr. Doug Killey, NAVAIR Depot Jax production officer, had the honor of presenting the award and praised Gribble for his dedication to duty and for supporting the warfighter and the U.S. Navy. Gribble has been with the depot for 10 years and is now in the running for the Artisan of the Year Award, which will be announced in October.