Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus released a official information dispatch recognizing Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (NGIS) and Fisher House (FH) activities selected to receive the 2016 Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Award for excellence in lodging management, Oct. 13.

Navy Region Northwest (NRNW) is home to four of 10 facilities, spread across Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), and Naval Station Everett (NSE).

"It is my pleasure to announce the recipients of the Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Award for excellence in lodging management for calendar year 2016," said Mabus.

The ten facilities to achieve this distinguished recognition were Naval Air Station Oceana-Dam Neck Annex NGIS, Naval Station Norfolk NGIS, Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads NGIS, Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Northwest Annex NGIS, NASWI NGIS, NBK-Bremerton NGIS, NBK-Bangor NGIS, NSE-Smokey Point NGIS, Naval Base Ventura County San Nicolas Island NGIS, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune FH.

"One thing I can be proud of is the dedicated staff of NGIS, and with our command support [we've earned] three consecutive Zumwalts," said Edgar G. Deocampo, NBK-Bangor and Bremerton NGIS general manager. "Without the dedication and teamwork, this prestigious award would not be possible."

NGISs and FHs are evaluated on their lodging operations to include facilities, customer service, finance, and management, are accredited and evaluated periodically based on established performance standards. Sites are accredited on a scale requiring a minimum of 204 and a perfect score of 237, while exhibiting outstanding management in all areas will be awarded with the Zumwalt at 215.

"The accreditation cycle this year is different; either you make Zumwalt or not," said Deocampo. "To be accredited, an installation has to have 204 points, and to get the Zumwalt you have to have 215 or more with a perfect score of 237. Getting this award is basically going above and beyond what is expected. The great benefit is to our Sailors; they deserve the best, along with the rest of our Navy family who stays with us -- including retirees, and family members -- without spending a lot of money."

Earning the Zumwalt Award is noted as a team effort by management, while each facility operates independently and is recognized as such. Credit was given to senior directors, installation support and staff by management for the collaborative effort put forth.

"We are extremely proud our all of our staff here at NGIS and very grateful for the support and leadership we received from everyone at NASWI N-9's Wayne Short, NRNW's Pamela Tolliver and NASWI Commanding Officer Captain Geoffrey Moore," said Abner B. Cordova, NASWI NGIS. "We would not have been able to achieve this award without the great team spirit, hard work and dedication of all of our staff, from housekeepers to management."

"For us, achieving Zumwalt is a validation of both our work and our dedication to our customers," said Cordova. "People deserve the very best when it comes to our service, and we do our best to make sure that is what they receive."

Mabus went on to state in the dispatch receiving the Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Award is a significant accomplishment and the hallmark of superior lodging management. "Bravo Zulu" to these installations for their total commitment to excellence and delivering the highest level of customer service.

"We strive collectively to consistently provide quality guest services 24/7, 365 days in the calendar year," said Max Green, NSE-Smokey Point NGIS general manager. "Our staff members pride themselves on creating comfortable services and amenities to all in our defense community past, present, and in the future. Navy Gateway Inns and Suites will be here to serve today and tomorrow!"

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit www.navy.mil/.