Hilltop Times Articles by Donna Kerr
This section of my Journalism Archive includes articles published in the Hilltop Times, the official newspaper of Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, UT. When these articles were published, I was known as Donna Brown. These clips reflect my experience writing clear, useful stories for military, civilian, and community audiences.
📰 Hilltop Times
September 8, 1989 — Historian Examines Past to Learn, Improve Future
Topic: Military History & Institutional Memory
Notes:
Profile of historian Dave Kendziora, responsible for documenting aircraft programs and operational history at Hill AFB. Emphasizes preserving records indefinitely to analyze past decisions, identify problems, and improve future performance. Connects local work to global defense impact and long-term legacy.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #history, #analysis, #knowledge, #leadership, #legacy, #featurewriting
September 29, 1989 — Branches Pull, Pool Together
Topic: Engineering Reorganization & Quality Effort
Notes:
Covers restructuring within the 2849th Civil Engineering Squadron. Engineers integrated into cross-functional teams, taking projects from design through execution. Eliminates silos, improves accountability, and increases efficiency.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #engineering, #qualityimprovement, #organizationalchange, #teamwork, #leadership, #efficiency
November 9, 1989 — Office Helps Workers Manage Information
Topic: Publications Process Improvement
Notes:
Focuses on the Information Management Division helping subject-matter experts produce usable written materials. Introduces early-stage editorial support to reduce wasted effort and improve document quality.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #writing, #technicalwriting, #processimprovement, #informationmanagement, #collaboration, #efficiency
December 15, 1989 — Supply Clerks Shorten Auditing Process
Topic: Process Improvement & Efficiency
Notes:
Two clerks streamline a complex auditing system by centralizing data, reducing duplication, and improving workflow. Cuts processing time from a full day (two people) to one hour (one person).
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #processimprovement, #efficiency, #costcontrol, #innovation, #quality, #teamwork
January 12, 1990 — General Hopp Peers into Hill Future
Topic: Leadership Vision & Budget Reality
Notes:
Front-page coverage of leadership addressing budget cuts, military downsizing, and future strategy. Highlights uncertainty, efficiency goals, and broader defense restructuring.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #leadership, #strategy, #futureplanning, #budget, #government, #frontpage
January 12, 1990 — Team Effort for Directorate
Topic: Contracting Process Improvement
Notes:
Collaboration between Hill AFB and Boeing to streamline contracting and proposal processes. Focus on reducing inefficiencies and lowering taxpayer costs through better coordination.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #contracting, #processimprovement, #government, #Boeing, #collaboration, #efficiency
January 26, 1990 — Improving Individuals
Topic: Employee Development & Quality Improvement
Notes:
Highlights Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and employee-driven innovation. Emphasizes goal setting, accountability, and cost-saving improvements.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #featurewriting, #HillAFB, #military, #airforcebase, #Utah, #careerdevelopment, #workplaceinnovation, #qualityimprovement
February 2, 1990 — Pond: A Natural Experience
Topic: Environmental Feature
Notes:
Human-interest piece focused on nature within the base environment. Balances military setting with environmental awareness and appreciation.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #featurewriting, #HillAFB, #military, #environment, #nature, #humaninterest, #Utah
February 9, 1990 — Group Plugs Brake Leak
Topic: Quality Circle Innovation & Cost Savings
Notes:
Maintenance team solves long-standing brake cylinder issue on T-38 jets. Develops low-cost solution saving ~$500,000 annually and improving readiness.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #engineering, #quality, #qualitycircle, #innovation, #costsavings, #maintenance, #leadership, #teamwork
March 9, 1990 — Hill Keeps Workhorse Running
Topic: Maintenance Innovation & Safety
Notes:
Addresses dangerous fuel vapor buildup in C-130 aircraft. Team develops venting solution, improving safety, reducing downtime, and saving costs.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #maintenance, #engineering, #processimprovement, #safety, #innovation, #costsavings, #teamwork
April 13, 1990 — AF Moves Right Along
Topic: Mobility & Deployment Operations
Notes:
Profile of Brad Luke, overseeing troop and cargo movement. Highlights large-scale logistics, efficiency improvements, and computerized processes.
Tags:
#archive, #journalism, #HillAFB, #military, #AirForce, #profile, #leadership, #operations, #logistics, #mobility, #deployment, #innovation
September 15, 1989 — Comptroller Worker Fights “Fires” Daily
Topic: Military Operations & Logistics Feature
Notes:
Profile of a Hill Air Force Base comptroller responsible for managing billions in procurement funds and resolving daily operational challenges tied to aircraft and missile systems.
Tags:
#military, #logistics, #airforce, #featurewriting, #coldwar, #operations
October 6, 1989 — Worker Aids “Little Guy”
Topic: Government Policy & Small Business
Notes:
Feature on a Small Business Office specialist helping disadvantaged and women-owned businesses secure Department of Defense contracts, reflecting federal efforts to expand equitable procurement opportunities.
Tags:
#smallbusiness, #government, #policy, #economicdevelopment, #featurewriting
October 13, 1989 — XP Rolls Out Red Carpet
Topic: Military Operations & Leadership Coordination
Notes:
Behind-the-scenes look at how Hill AFB’s Plans and Programs Directorate coordinates high-level visits, including logistical planning, protocol, and multi-agency collaboration for distinguished officials.
Tags:
#leadership, #military, #operations, #logistics, #featurewriting
October 20, 1989 — Management Analyst Set for War
Topic: Military Readiness & Workforce Planning
Notes:
Profile of a management analyst responsible for wartime mobilization planning using COMPES, ensuring personnel and resources are aligned for deployment readiness.
Tags:
#military, #readiness, #workforce, #logistics, #featurewriting
December 1, 1989 — Distribution Team Improves Inventory
Topic: Process Improvement & Logistics Systems
Notes:
Coverage of a process action team working to standardize inventory error codes and improve documentation systems within the Air Force logistics chain.
Tags:
#processimprovement, #logistics, #systems, #efficiency, #operations
May 4, 1990 — Worker Fills Big Shoes
Topic: Industrial Operations & Technology
Notes:
Profile of an equipment specialist contributing to a major modernization effort at Hill AFB, transitioning machinery to computer-controlled systems and improving efficiency.
Tags:
#technology, #manufacturing, #military, #innovation, #featurewriting
May 11, 1990 — Worker Changes with Base
Topic: Workplace Evolution & Organizational Culture
Notes:
Feature highlighting a long-time Hill AFB employee whose career reflects broader cultural and technological changes within the base over two decades.
Tags:
#workplace, #culture, #leadership, #military, #featurewriting