BREMERTON, Wash. –
BREMERTON, Washington – Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility has relied on innovation to safely complete its mission; from producing hand sanitizer and facemasks to the construction and development of hand-washing stations and biocontainment systems.
When the time came to hand out Employee of the Year awards, an annual tradition normally conducted in a large ceremony at a large venue, innovation once again proved key.
For the first time, PSNS & IMF used a website to honor 33 of its top workers and Sailors with Employee of the Year awards June 3.
The website, https://spark.adobe.com/page/FSXXiqVoVajsu/, celebrates the accomplishments of 31 employees and two Sailors selected from among more than 200 personnel nominated for their 2019 performance in 24 categories.
“Even though we were unable hold our normal ceremony, we still felt it was important to showcase the contributions of these great employees,” said Richard Tift, executive director of PSNS & IMF. “Having a website provided us with a way to safely do that and to have something to share with coworkers, family and friends.”
Capt. Dianna Wolfson, shipyard commander, recorded a special video message congratulating the nominees and winners.
“While this may not be the awards ceremony and event that we are used to, it doesn’t take away from the significance of this occasion,” said Wolfson. “It is a big deal, a once a year event and a once in a lifetime honor.”
Categories in which personnel were recognized include supervisors and non-supervisors in administrative, trades and technical fields as well as special categories, including innovation, safety, volunteer service, valor and a “Spirit of Compassion” award.
Those recognized were nominated by co-workers, supervisors or managers and voted upon by the shipyard’s Incentive Awards Committee.
“For all of these outstanding people, another teammate, supervisor or manager took the time to acknowledge their hard work and achievements by nominating them. And every single one of these employees deserves to be recognized,” said Wolfson.
Today, PSNS & IMF employs more than 14,000 Sailors and civilian personnel who accomplish the Command’s mission to maintain, modernize and retire the U.S. Navy’s fleet.
Honored were:
Everett Detachment Sailor of the Year
Navy Diver First Class (Diving Warfare Specialist) Nicholas Raducha
Everett Detachment Junior Sailor of the Year
Navy Diver Second Class (Diving Warfare Specialist) Dominic Cranston
Commander’s Excellence in Safety award
Domingo Ceralde (manager) and Ashley Lanman
Administrative, Clerical and Support Services, GS-10 or equivalent and below
Ashley Florez
Administrative and Support Services, GS-11 or equivalent and above
Pamela Hughes and Joseph Trent
Administrative Managerial/Supervisory, (non-engineering, non-trade)
Kellie Randall
Engineering Managerial/Supervisory
Matthew Conrath
Trades & Craft - Structural (non-supervisory), WG-06 and above
Joshua Smestad
Trades & Craft - Mechanical (non-supervisory), WG-06 and above
Makyla Olson
Trades & Craft - Electrical (non-supervisory), WG-06 and above
Joshua Neumann
Trades & Craft - Service (non-supervisory), WG-06 and above
Matthew Miller
Trades & Craft - Structural (non-supervisory), WG-05 and below
Jake Kusman
Trades & Craft - Mechanical (non-supervisory), WG-05 and below
Gage Ody
Trades & Craft - Electrical (non-supervisory), WG-05 and below
James Wilson
Trades & Craft - Service (non-supervisory), WG-05 and below
Michael York
Trades Supervisor (foreman)
Ian Fleming and Tymothy Noles
Managerial Supervisor - Trades/Project (2nd-level or above)
Jonathan Ebdon and Melissa Kittrell
Engineering/Professional - Waterfront Support (degreed or equivalent)
John Burcham III and Michael Wheeler
Engineering/Professional – Planning/Indirect Support (degreed or equivalent)
Jerry Nahring and Sydney Wells
Engineering/Technical
Deborah Clary and Timothy Hugg
Technical/Professional (non-engineering, non-supervisory)
Kevin Hasegawa
Vision/Innovation Award
Justin Hike and Brandon Rottle
Valor
Steven Denton
Outstanding Volunteer Services
Alanzo Ausby
Spirit of Compassion
Cassandra Pruitt