AFMC civilian named AF Analyst of Year

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christine Saunders

After five years as a civil servant and contractor, an operations analyst with the 780th Test Squadron earned the title of 2019 Air Force Civilian Journeyman Analyst of the Year.

“I was shocked and then full of pride when I found out I could represent the 96th Test Wing, winning at the Air Force Test Center, Air Force Materiel Command and then Air Force level,” said the Florida State University graduate.

Blake Zessin comes from four generations of Eglin employees that he refers to as “Eglinites.” He said he was destined to work here like his mother, grandfather and great-grandfather stating it was, “in our blood.”

“I was green when I came in and the team showed me exactly what an operations analyst could provide for the 96th Test Wing,” said Zessin.

Zessin recalled he was most proud of the study to track munitions in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure public safety. The ongoing test resulted in the collection of 18 - 24 months of location data, showing minimal movement of the munitions. He stated that often the munitions get buried in the ocean floor. 

“That hit home as being a lifetime panhandle resident,” said the 29-year-old. “Ensuring Eglin’s test mission is not interfering with public safety is a big concern for commanders here.”

While Zessin has integrated test team experience, he primarily works in developmental testing, which he finds rewarding. DT helps identify shortfalls in the functioning of weapons technology.

“We’re able to answer whether the new missile, bomb, or widget we’re buying is going to do what we’re paying for,” said Zessin. “That makes me feel good from a taxpayer’s perspective.”

Zessin’s contributions to the 780th TS include taking lead on how to better use a cause-and-effect analytical method known as “design of experiments” on various weapon programs saving millions of dollars and years of schedule for multiple weapons systems.

“The work Zessin contributed during his time in the 780th TS revolutionized how the 96th TW views and utilizes ops analysts to support the testing Team Eglin performs,” said Zessin’s supervisor, Johnathan Markle, the chief of the program engineer flight.

“Zessin is a hard charger and willing to go the extra mile in any situation, I am extremely grateful to have him on my team,” said Markle.