Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic announced its Civilian and Military Engineers of the Year award selections for 2022.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce our two NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Engineer of the Year winners for 2022. Dr. Monayem Akhand, P.E., a structural engineer at Public Works Department Portsmouth, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, was selected as our Civilian Engineer of the Year; and Lt. Corey Cattano, P.E., Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Director at Public Works Department, Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle, New Jersey, was selected as our Military Engineer of the Year,” said Commanding Officer Capt. Tres Meek. “Congratulations to these two dedicated and talented professionals for their achievements and prestigious recognition!”
Akhand, a Virginia Beach, Virginia resident and native of Atrai, Naogaon, Bangladesh, serves as a structural engineer subject matter expert, and is frequently called upon and consulted by supported commands and colleagues. His efforts include writing multiple point papers to enhance reviewers’ understanding and to explain analytical methods to a broader Navy community of engineering practices.
His accomplishments included designing a unique groundwater pressure monitoring system – a first in Navy drydock inventory – to determine and monitor previously unknown groundwater pressures. He also performed detailed technical inspections and structural conditions assessments, which helped to avoid renting equipment, thus saving the Navy extensive time and money. This allowed for the scheduled docking of an aircraft carrier, and avoided unwarranted disruption to fleet maintenance and deployment schedules.
Akhand, who began working for NAVFAC in 2016, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, and a Master of Science degree in Civil and Structural Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Structural Engineering from the National University of Malaysia, said that it’s a great professional and personal honor to be selected.
“It is really humbling to know that my colleagues and leadership selected me as the 2022 NAVFAC MIDLANT Civilian Engineer of the Year,” he said. “I am very thankful that my management and leadership at PWD Portsmouth and Norfolk Naval Shipyard found my attributes, efforts, and contributions noteworthy, and for nominating me for the recognition in the first place. I deeply appreciate the opportunities I get to contribute, the supports I enjoy, and above all, the trust they put in me in facing some unique challenges.”
Cattano, a New Providence, New Jersey native who joined the Navy in 2013, arrived at NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic in 2020. He is currently dual-hatted in two division director positions within the Public Works Department at NWS Earle. He provides direct supervision over the Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Division and the Facilities Management Division, which includes a total of 34 civilians and two junior officers. Cattano spearheaded a series of key design meetings to develop a comprehensive rail upgrade project, estimated at $261 million that ranked ninth out of 63 projects across the region. Additionally, he managed the fiscal year 2021 awarding of the $11.5 million Waste Water Treatment Plant contract and the $32 million dredging contract, both of which are two mission critical projects at NWS Earle.
Previously, Cattano served as the Assistant Public Works Officer at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, providing direct engineering support to a Joint Special Operations Task Force responsible for counter-terrorism and overseas contingency operations, and also served as the Alfa Company Commander of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three, where he led 135 Seabees to provide construction equipment operation, maintenance, and horizontal construction operations during a 12-month homeport cycle in Port Hueneme, California, and a 6-month deployment in Okinawa, Japan. His leadership enabled peak equipment availability and unit readiness in support of engineering and construction operations throughout the Indo-Pacific Command area of operations.
Cattano, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Lafayette College, and a Master of Science degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Civil Engineering from Clemson University, said that it’s an honor and a privilege to represent NAVFAC MIDLANT as the Military Engineer of the Year.
“This award is a reflection of the outstanding team we have at Naval Weapons Station Earle and I am both proud and fortunate to serve with such talented professionals committed to mission success,” he said. “I also extend a special thanks to Capt. Meek and Capt. [Edward] Callahan [NWS Earle commanding officer] for trusting me with the leadership positions and responsibilities that advance my skills as a military engineer and naval officer. Also, great credit is due to the strong support I have on the home front thanks to my wife and son.”
Akhand and Cattano will go on to compete for the NAVFAC Echelon II Engineer of the Year awards and potentially for higher honors in the National Society of Professional Engineer's Federal Engineer of the Year award program.
NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic provides facilities engineering, public works, and environmental products and services across an area of responsibility that spans from South Carolina to Maine and as far west as Indiana. As an integral member of the Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic team, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic provides leadership through the Regional Engineer organization to ensure the region's facilities and infrastructure are managed efficiently and effectively.
Date Taken: | 10.25.2021 |
Date Posted: | 10.25.2021 08:59 |
Story ID: | 407902 |
Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
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