ALCOAST 038/26 - FEB 2026 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2025 COAST GUARD ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 032137Z FEB 26 MID320018515743U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 038/26
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2025 COAST GUARD ENGINEER OF THE
YEAR AWARD
1. This ALCOAST announces CDR Niles C. Pierson, the Facilities
Engineer at Training Center Cape May, as recipient of the 2025
Coast Guard Engineer of the Year Award.
    a. A licensed Professional Engineer (PE), CDR Pierson led the
response to widespread mold and HVAC failures in 70 housing units,
managed a $500,000 remediation effort and served as lead designer
for a $3 million follow-on HVAC project planned for FY26. His due
care directly supported the habitability of the community and health
of military families. He was also instrumental in helping to plan
the unit's historic $425 million modernization program, including
four new Barracks, a multi-Use training facility, galley, and fire
department. CDR Pierson is an active member of the community,
volunteering over 200 hours with organizations like Big Brothers Big
Sisters of America, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and
with local community events. He offered his personal time and
expertise to help build a local, single-family home in the community
and designed a framed elevated stage for a local school.
CDR Pierson holds two Master of Science degrees (Environmental
Engineering and Engineering Management), a Master's Certificate in
Structural Engineering, and is a registered PE in Connecticut and
New York. A lifelong learner, CDR Pierson completed more than 140
hours of continuous education and is an active member of five
Professional and Technical Societies including the National Society
of Professional Engineers.
    b. An awards ceremony is tentatively scheduled for February 2026
to recognize the accomplishments of CDR Pierson. Additionally, as
the Coast Guard Engineer of the Year, CDR Pierson has been 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 2025 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year
Award, listed in order of merit:
    a. CDR Harold N. Piper, USCG Base New Orleans
    b. Thomas J. Woodford, USCG Marine Safety Center
    c. LCDR Gregory W. Bukata, USCG Aviation Logistics Center
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. I encourage all leaders to take the
opportunity during next year's 2026 solicitation to recognize their
highest performing engineering professionals.
4. COMDT (CG-SI) Points of contact: Ashley Villano at
Ashley.Villano@uscg.mil and LCDR Alexander Brown at
Alexander.J.Brown@uscg.mil.
5. RDML Michael E. Campbell, Director of Systems Integration and
Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO) (CG-SI), sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.