USA: NAVFAC Announces 2015 Engineers of the Year

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) announced the winners of its Military and Civilian Engineers of the Year Awards Nov. 24.

Lt. Cmdr. Keith Benson from NAVFAC Washington was selected as the Military Engineer of the Year and Timothy Bayse from NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic was selected as the Civilian Engineer of the Year for 2015.

Benson and Bayse will represent NAVFAC in February at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) will announce their Federal Engineer of the Year.

“I am very proud of everyone who was nominated,” said NAVFAC Commander Rear Adm. Kate Gregory. “We are very fortunate to serve with a vast number of extraordinary engineers who lead NAVFAC and the Navy with dedication, service, selflessness and technical superiority. They continue to build on our 172-year legacy of serving the Navy with the ‘Can-Do’ spirit.”

Benson currently serves as the NAVFAC Washington energy officer and made significant contributions in the field of engineering throughout the year. He served in several critical positions for NAVFAC that supported the Navy shore enterprise and energy programs.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be selected for this competitive NAVFAC engineer award,” said Benson. “It’s a privilege to serve our country in uniform, and with such a diverse and talented team of professionals.”

While serving as the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain Public Works officer, Benson led a team of 424 personnel in managing 320 active construction projects valued at $618 million that supported 94 commands across the Middle East. His efforts ensured continued support to warfighters while increasing readiness and effectiveness, while more than doubling the base’s footprint.

When he was assigned to Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) headquarters, he was appointed as the energy action officer and skillfully spearheaded the Navy’s renewable energy “Net Zero” program. While at CNIC, Benson developed over 150 energy projects valued at $225 million and achieved $50 million in annual consumption reduction savings.

Bayse served as a construction manager in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Djibouti, Africa during 2013 and 2014. While in Djibouti Bayse executed a substantial workload of 33 projects valued at over $340 million, while fostering collaborative teamwork processes to ensure mission success.

He completed a complex $150 million, multifacility, multiutility, fast tracked project on schedule and within budget. He was also the lead U.S. government subject matter expert on a European Union sewer line project.

“It is hard to briefly describe how beneficial that TAD (temporary assigned duty) was, as I was able to do so much there that I had not experienced before,” said Bayse. “You get to directly see your impact on the warfighter, and it is exhilarating. From airfield operations to building the first brick and mortar barracks for troops, it’s very fast paced and rewarding. You can see just how important running water is, and laying down the first paved roads.”

At NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Public Works Department (PWD) Pennsylvania, Bayse provided invaluable technical expertise and leadership vital to numerous Department of Defense, Department of the Navy and international missions.

Bayse used his vast knowledge to lead the successful completion of projects valued over $200 million. He spearheaded a fast-tracked $21 million energy initiative that leveraged the utility company to install gas fired furnaces throughout the Philadelphia Navy Yard facilities with no upfront taxpayer dollars. The efficiency initiatives resulted in a $2 million per year utility savings.

Bayse described his team’s effort on the many projects he has worked.

“First and foremost this award truly is driven by teamwork,” Bayse said. “No man is an island upon himself. The success I have had and the large volume of work I have been able to accomplish is because of the great colleagues I have to support me.”

Press Release; Image: NAVFAC