NAVFAC Announces 2012 Engineers of the Year

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command announced the 2012 NAVFAC military and civilian Engineers of the Year award recipients Feb. 2.

Rear Adm. Christopher J. Mossey announced Senior Civil Engineer Bruce Seamans, NAVFAC Atlantic in Norfolk, Va., as the Civilian Engineer of the Year; and Lt. Christopher Casne, Facilities Engineering Acquisition Division (FEAD) team leader, NAVFAC Hawaii, as the Military Engineer of the Year.

"These two civil engineers represent the best of the Navy," said NAVFAC Chief Engineer and Director of Capital Improvements Joseph Gott. "Their accomplishments directly contributed to the success of our supported commanders and distinguished them among their peers."

Seamans served as the chief engineer for the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team and Regional Command South from August 2010 to July 2011. While traveling with units throughout his area of operations, he provided engineering assessments of potential projects, and simplified complex and technical advice to both International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and Afghan villagers.

He provided engineering input on more than 50 projects that contributed to stability in Kandahar, and served as the subject matter expert in meetings with the Kandahar governor and city mayor.

Seamans received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology and a master's degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University, Va.

Casne's engineering achievements included the development of operational readiness orders for six military commands, logistical support for two naval mobile construction battalions, critical construction oversight for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) in Hawaii, and sustainable development for the Navy's shore infrastructure.

He served as the NAVFAC Hawaii FEAD team leader for 13 construction projects valued at more than $31 million in support of the Pacific Fleet Seabees, which allowed them to forward deploy at a significantly higher operational rating.

He also managed the construction execution of 72 projects valued at more than $175 million for JBPHH, including two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects with a "net zero" energy rating.

Seamans and Casne will represent NAVFAC in the competition for the 2012 Federal Engineer of the Year Award and are among the top 10 finalists in the competition.

The Federal Engineer of the Year is selected by a panel of judges established by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Agency winners, the top 10 finalists, and the individual selected to win the Federal Engineer of the Year Award will be recognized at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Feb. 23.

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