OO-ALC In Focus: Jacob Lozano

  • Published
  • By Robert Raine and Rebeca Palm
  • AMARG Public Affairs

It’s not often that respondents to the annual Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) give a positive, by-name shout-out to one individual, but AMARG’s Jacob “Jake” Lozano is one such person.  Jake is the 576th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Squadron planning chief at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG – America’s National Airpower Reservoir) in Tucson, Arizona. 

He recently received an outpouring of praise from colleagues and subordinates alike highlighting his dedication and admirable leadership qualities. “Jacob Lozano is an awesome supervisor and has worked with me beyond my expectations,” one team member shared. Another remarked, “Jacob Lozano is AMARG’s best supervisor I have had the pleasure to work for!”

Jake’s team of 18 skilled planners supports six production lines for 576th AMRS delivering 200,000 labor hours per year. The planning team is critical to mission success as they manage initial workload activation for incoming aircraft including structural repairs, avionics upgrades, and modifications for depot-level maintenance. When challenges arise, the team’s production or “tactical” planning efforts mitigate obstacles to return aircraft to the customer on time ensuring these critical assets are ready to support operational demands. Thanks to their precision and adaptability, Jake and his team keep production lines moving on schedule to support the warfighter.

A self-proclaimed “military-brat,” Jake spent nine years living overseas, during that time his baseball team received the distinguished honor of representing Germany at the Big-League World Series tournament. The family eventually settled in Tucson in 1995 where Jake began a career in civil service several years later. He joined Team AMARG in 2002, where his exceptional talent and dedication led to his latest promotion as Planning Supervisor in September 2022.

A true servant leader, Jake takes initiative to connect with his team on a personal level. He recently learned American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with a hearing-impaired colleague, after a bit of practice, he is now able to hold conversations in ASL. Coincidentally, this effort has also proven useful in his personal life by giving him the opportunity to connect with a deaf aunt.

When asked what motivates him to wake up and go to work each day, Jake replied, “Of course my family first, when I succeed, they succeed. Also, my 18 employees who look to me for accurate guidance and precise direction.” In off duty hours you can find Jake hitting Tucson’s Mountain Bike trails. Whether he’s navigating the challenges of production planning or tackling rugged terrain, Jake brings the same level of determination and focus to everything he does.