With more than 20 years as an U.S. Navy engineer across multiple platforms and commands, Mr. Brandon Neill is the Executive Director of Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC), headquartered in Naples, Italy with detachments in Rota, Spain and Manama, Bahrain. A native of New Orleans, La., he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Machinist Mate in 2002 and completed the Naval Nuclear Power training program. He certified as a Nuclear Operator on three types of nuclear reactors, completed multiple deployments on USS Charlotte (SSN 766), and was honorably discharged in 2008.
In 2012, Neill began his career at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) in the Nuclear Testing Organization where he certified as a Nuclear Shift Test Engineer. After completing multiple Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and emergent availabilities, Neill transitioned to a project engineering role. He successfully planned multiple availabilities and managed budgets of more than $50 million. He developed acquisition strategies for material needed during CNO availabilities and managed contract negotiations associated with delivery. Neill then transitioned to Naval Sea Systems Command in May 2020 as the Deputy Submarine Program Manager for the Navy where he was responsible for overseeing the programing, planning, and execution of nuclear submarine overhauls and modernizations across all naval shipyards.
Most recently, Neill served as PHNSY & IMF’s Head Nuclear Engineer responsible for all reactor plant matters including technical direction, project coordination, funding, and administration of engineering personnel. He directly supervised 375 personnel within the Nuclear Engineering and Planning and Department and managed more than $300 million of nuclear maintenance annually.
In December 2024, Neill assumed the role and responsibilities as FDRMC Executive Director. FDRMC provides emergent, intermediate and depot-level maintenance and modernization for transient and Forward Deployed Naval Forces in U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleets through fleet technical assistance, voyage repair, contract management oversight, assessments, and diving and salvage.
In 2012, Neill graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa Cum Laude with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Management. He received the Department of Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award and various other awards during his military and civil service career. When not at work, he enjoys being outdoors, golfing, participating in triathlons, and spending time with his wife.