Courtesy Photo | 170214-N-XX082-001 NEWPORT, R.I. (Feb. 14, 2017) Surface Warfare Officers School...... read more read more
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By Denise Smith, Surface Warfare Officers School Civilian Training Officer
NEWPORT, R.I. – Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) announced its top civilians for fiscal year 2019, Oct. 28.
Capt. Christopher D. Alexander, SWOS commanding officer, expressed his sincere admiration and appreciation for the outstanding efforts of Dave LaBarbera, Bill Abbott, and Linda Dias, the SWOS supervisor and senior and junior civilians of the year (COY) respectively.
"As usual, this year’s selection process was especially difficult as we have so many hardworking, dedicated, and exceptional civilian employees," said Alexander. "As we wrap up the requirements for fiscal year 2019, I would like to thank all of the hard working employees and Sailors on the SWOS staff – their efforts ensure that SWOS remains at the forefront in training our future leaders."
LaBarbera joined SWOS in January 2010 as the deputy director, Maritime Warfare, and was recognized as the command supervisor of the quarter, second quarter 2019. As the acting director, he expertly led the largest academic staff at SWOS Newport to execute all surface warfare, department head training and all levels of maritime warfare of a surface warfare officer's career. LaBarbera singlehandedly planned, executed and delivered the plan for the execution of the SWOS 2019 Maritime Warfare Board of Visitors, which included eight waterfront visits and the associated coordination with waterfront units and staffs up to the Fleet level. He was the driving force behind the Surface Warfare Officer Requirements Document publication, Standardized Battle Order publication, Tactical Action Officer qualification requirements revision and the planning and execution of a new Plans and Tactics Officer Billet Specialty Training course. In addition, he drove his staff towards the command’s five-year vision with an emphasis on multi-warfare vignettes and simulation.
“It’s always good to get recognized. These are total team efforts and I would like to thank SWOS, but especially the N73 Maritime Warfare Directorate for their great efforts and contributions on a daily basis,” said LaBarbera. “Teaching is ‘our main battery’ and they do a superb job teaching across the continuum. I would especially like to thank my two curriculum managers, Jim Katin and Tim Franklin, for their outstanding dedication, professionalism and support in keeping Department Head Training – a flagship program at SWOS since its inception in 1961 – under constant attention, focus and improvement.”
Abbott returned to SWOS in March 2018 after having served several years as a program analyst with an emphasis in ship readiness in Italy. He has a master’s degree in Natural Resources Management and Policy.
Abbott serves as SWOS's west coast facilities manager and local contracting officer representative (COR)/assistant contracting officer representative (ACOR) for three of SWOS's major contracts. He participated in the Surface COMS (MEGA) contract source selection team, ensuring the company was selected fairly and impartially. He was responsible for leading the Basic Division Officer Course (BDOC), 6th Wardroom renovation surge project, ensuring SWOS will be able to support an increased BDOC student throughput. Additionally, he developed plans for securing $2.7 million for various infrastructure renovations in order to increase classroom capacity. Abbott conducted a Basic Facilities Requirement (BFR) analysis to determine square footage needed to renovate space for the Mariners Skills Training Center (MSTC) and the building for the Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) course, totaling over $68 million.
“For me it (this selection) was very humbling and totally unexpected,” said Abbott. “There are so many outstanding civilians at SWOS so I feel honored to be even considered, let alone selected for this distinction.”
Dias has been a member of SWOS since September 2018. She joined the SWOS family when the personnel support detachment at Naval Station Newport closed its doors. SWOS was very fortunate to gain such an incredible asset. Dias has a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies. She is making a significant impact at SWOS as a financial technician with an emphasis in accounting. Dias worked diligently to process funding documents and track obligation to assist in attaining an exceptional 99.8 % obligation rate for SWOS this FY19. Her attention to detail provided the SWOS/N8 accounting team with a 99% accuracy rate when creating funding documents this fiscal year. In addition to her accounting duties, she is also a key player in the travel team. Her travel skills and experience allowed her to provide reviewing assistance to prevent a lag in approval time, which reduced travel claim payout time by approximately 20%.
“I was honored and shockingly surprised to receive this award,” said Dias. “I have only been at the command a little over one year but feel like an integral part of the team here. SWOS is recognized as one of the top commands in the country and I am grateful to be a part of this prestigious community.”
SWOS readies sea-bound warriors to serve on surface combatants as officers, enlisted engineers and enlisted navigation professionals to fulfill the Navy's mission to maintain global maritime superiority.
For information about SWOS visit https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/centers/swos/Default.aspx.
For more information about Naval Education and Training Command, visit the NETC website at https://www.public.navy.mil/netc and follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/netcpao.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.05.2019 12:48 |
| Story ID: | 350529 |
| Location: | NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 245 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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