VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Program Executive Office (PEO) Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS) announced Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Dam Neck Activity (NSWCDD DNA) IWS 5 Assistant Program Manager, Dustin Hoover, as its 2018 recipient of the William H. Neiger Fleet Readiness Award July 1.
PEO IWS Executive Director, Bilyana Anderson stated “We received numerous competitive nominations for the award. All the candidates have made a tremendous impact to our waterfront readiness and demonstrated their commitment to the Fleet. On behalf of the PEO IWS Leadership team, we'd like to thank all the nominees for the outstanding work they do day in and day out; we are the best Navy in the world because of you!”
Each year, the Navy honors individual and team awardees for exceptional scientific and engineering achievements completed during or culminating in the 2018 calendar year.
This is the second year that the PEO IWS William H. Neiger Fleet Readiness Award is being presented to a NAVSEA Warfare Center scientist or engineer. The award is designed to recognize the individual who has made significant contributions to waterfront readiness of PEO IWS systems and programs. The awardee must exhibit superb leadership skills, a tireless work ethic, and a commitment to innovation and improvement in the pursuit of Fleet combat systems readiness.
William H. Neiger, Jr. (the award’s namesake) was a Surface Warfare officer with more than 25 years of active duty service. After retiring from the Navy, he became a member of the AEGIS Program Office fleet readiness team and headed the Atlantic Fleet AEGIS Readiness team. He was consummate professional who exhibited great focus on achieving success and who motivated people to get the job done, and done right. He was a leader in innovation able to meet urgent, near-term demands, but never forgetting about the Navy’s future and how to make improvements in every facet of Fleet combat systems maintenance. He was a tireless worker with a relentless drive for excellence, but he was never too busy to find time to help out Sailors and Shipmates on the waterfront. As the Atlantic Fleet Readiness Manager, and in his previous service as a Sailor, Naval Officer, and civil servant, he had a significant impact on so many in and around the AEGIS Fleet.
“I was very surprised when PEO IWS announced my name as the winner of this prestigious award,” said Hoover. “The award actually belongs to each member of my AN/SQQ-89 ISS team across multiple WFCs, not just me.”
Hoover serves as the Undersea Warfare (USW) In Service Support Assistant Program Manager within the Undersea Systems Program Office, IWS 5.0. He was selected in recognition of his lead role in maintaining USW readiness of over 80 Cruiser/Destroyer (CRUDES) platforms. His exceptional leadership skills and dedication were displayed daily as he led a team providing 24/7 resolution of urgent Fleet operational issues. He also led efforts across various to establish and execute a plan to increase AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Ao from a Manning, Training and Equipment perspective. He has also reduced costs, improved repair time (+Ao) and improved system capability through innovative design improvements.
“My peers’ nomination for this award has meant a lot to me and I’m humbled by their actions,” added Hoover, “but I feel like I am being awarded for just doing my job. Both my team and I come to work daily because of our dedication to making sure that our Navy’s warfighters in the Fleet have the very best products we can provide to ensure their safety and warfighting capabilities. It’s just as simple as that.”
Hoover will be recognized at the upcoming PEO IWS All Hands Ceremony on Thursday, July 25 in NAVSEA’s auditorium in Washington, DC.