ALCOAST 464/24 - DEC 2024 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2024 COAST GUARD ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 161620Z DEC 24 MID120001644402U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 464/24
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2024 COAST GUARD ENGINEER OF
THE YEAR AWARD
1. This ALCOAST announces LT Matthew Fann, the Facilities
Engineering Department Head at Base Charleston, SC, as recipient of
the 2024 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year Award.
    a. A licensed Professional Engineer in Electrical Engineering,
LT Fann identified a life-threatening shock hazard to all personnel
on the servicing shore electrical infrastructure for the newly
delivered National Security Cutter (NSC). LT Fann initiated a
Technical Engineering decision to ensure the safety of the cutter's
crew and equipment by securing power to the cutter until a safe
shore power configuration could be implemented. With a safe
configuration in place, LT Fann identified additional electrical
component issues on all shore electrical supply supporting the NSCs,
as well as numerous systemic electrical issues regarding shore power
configurations Coast Guard-wide to improve safety and electrical
ground detection. LT Fann is the Base on-site Engineer overseeing
all facility maintenance, construction and improvement initiatives
required to maintain 100 acres of property and 215 thousand square
feet of building space, representing the Coast Guard with key
federal, state, local and military stakeholders, and leading
Base Charleston's 15-year capital infrastructure investment plan as
the future homeport for 10 major cutters. LT Fann holds two
Master's Degrees (Electrical Engineering and Project Management),
is a registered Professional Engineer in South Carolina, and an
Engineer in Training in Virginia. A lifelong learner, LT Fann has
logged more than 90 hours of Continuing Education within the
awarding timeframe and is a member of 7 Professional and Technical
Societies including the National Society of Professional Engineers.
    b. An awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C.
on 21 February 2025 to recognize the accomplishments of LT Matthew
Fann. Additionally, as the Coast Guard Engineer of the Year, LT Fann
will be nominated for the National Society of Professional Engineers
Federal Engineer of the Year Award.
2. Well done to the following distinguished engineers who were
honorable mentions for the 2024 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year
Award, listed in alphabetical order:
    a. CDR Beau Belanger, CG Air Station Borinquen
    b. Julie Berens, COMDT (CG-46)
    c. MKC Carlos Camacho, COMDT (CG-DCO-I-2)
    d. LT Kiera Hollenbeck P.E., CEU Oakland
    e. CDR Chanel Lee, ALC
    f. CDR Elizabeth Nakagawa P.E., CG TRACEN Petaluma
    g. Harold Piper P.E., CG Base New Orleans
    h. LT Thomas Porzillo P.E., SILC
    i. Rachel Thomas P.E., Marine Safety Center
    j. Sudhakara Velaga, C5I Service Center
    k. LCDR Tyler Vieira P.E., CG FDCC
    l. CWO4 Travis Wood, C5I Service Center
    m. CWO4 Sean Woodworth, CGC BERTHOLF (WMSL-750)
    n. CWO3 Adam Wright, CG Sector LA-LB
3. I applaud all the nominees for their accomplishments, as well as
their Commanding Officers and supervisors for taking the time to
submit well-supported nominations. Successful Coast Guard mission
execution requires talented engineers that possess in-depth
technical knowledge, strong leadership skills, practical experience,
and professional credentials enabling them to provide critical
mission support in the effective and efficient sustainment of our
cutters, boats, aircraft, systems, shore infrastructure, and
prevention and response operations. I encourage all leaders to take
the opportunity during next year's 2025 solicitation to recognize
their highest performing engineering professionals.
4. Questions regarding the Engineer of the Year Award may be
directed to LT Quinn Levy (CG-4A), Quinn.M.Levy@uscg.mil, or CAPT
Richard Kuzak (CG-4EA), Richard.E.Kuzak@uscg.mil, at 202-475-5555.
5. RDML A. B. Grable, Assistant Commandant for Engineering and
Logistics (CG-4), sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.