Kicking off the New Year, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) announced its January civilian of the month, Jan. 6.

Pete Bustanoby of Bowie, Maryland, leads NECC's Force Safety Directorate and manages the safety requirements for more than 20,000 expeditionary Sailors and civilians.

"I appreciate the leadership support and everyone working together to create a safer environment for our NECC forces and through our collective effort we can see that statistically the hard work that has gone into making it a reality," said Bustanoby.

Nancy Harned, NECC's executive director, emphasized Bustanoby's accomplishments while leading the type command's (TYCOM) Safety Directorate.

"Pete's tremendous dedication to duty and attention to detail has made him the safety subject-matter expert," said Harned. "His extensive knowledge of safety policies, procedures, and innovative initiatives consistently improved the Navy's expeditionary forces."

Over the past year Bustanoby helped stand-up the expeditionary category in the yearly Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award, which will provide Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV)-level recognition for commands in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Seabee and Riverine communities for Safety Excellence.

"It is gratifying to me to see leadership support in all hands participation in creating a safer working environment," said Bustanoby.

Harned added Bustanoby's other contributions haven't gone unnoticed at NECC or worldwide where NECC forces are deployed.

"Mr. Bustanoby organized the first ever Echelon IV Safety Management system working group that has brought cohesiveness to the force and aligns our Echelon IV Commands with fleet safety objectives," said Harned. "Additionally, he has worked extensively with the Naval Safety Center to restructure and institutionalize safety surveys completed on our commands."

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command , visit www.navy.mil/.