Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Commander Rear Adm. Bret Muilenburg recognized two Seabees as the NAVFAC Shore and Sea Sailors of the Year in a ceremony at NAVFAC headquarters at the Washington Navy Yard, April 28.

Construction Electrician 1st Class (SCW) Richard Simbre and Engineering Aid 1st Class (SCW) Sean Barezi were awarded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals in front of more than 50 employees, friends and family during the ceremony in celebration of their selections.

"These two Seabees represent the best of our enlisted personnel assigned to NAVFAC," said Muilenburg. "Each one was recognized by their commands as standing out above the rest, and we honor them here today."

Simbre received the Shore Sailor of the Year award for meritorious service while serving as operations chief and leading petty officer for NAVFAC Hawaii and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam October 2014 to September 2015.

According to the citation, he demonstrated dynamic leadership, provided professional development and spearheaded 13 critical command programs, ensuring personnel readiness and successfully meeting the command mission. His steadfast leadership was crucial to integration of Seabees with civilian and airmen, greatly enhancing personnel technical skills and maximizing shop responsiveness.

Barezi received the Sea Sailor of the Year award for meritorious service while serving as the performance assessment representative leading petty officer at Public Works Department Bahrain October 2014 to September 2015.

Demonstrating technical expertise and leadership skills, he led four personnel in the completion of 35 service contracts, 985 assurance inspections per month, and developing 10 complex scopes of work and independent government estimates while managing a $12 million base operating support contract.

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