07.24.2023 –
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) honored employees during its Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Second Quarter Awards Ceremony on June 8, 2023.
The hybrid ceremony recognized NSWCPD personnel for career service milestones, as well as Scientist and Engineering Development Program (SEDP) graduates, and acknowledged employees awarded patents for inventions. In addition, Letters of Appreciation and a Certificate of Appreciation were presented to select NSWCPD employees for exemplary work in their field.
“If I were to rank my duties as commanding officer here in Philadelphia, my first is administering the oath of office, but my second is awards ceremonies like this … I look forward to recognizing the contributions of the people here for all that you do,” NSWCPD Commanding Officer Capt. Joseph Darcy said.
“Your tireless efforts and commitment to excellence have set a standard for all to follow,” Darcy continued. “Remember who we work for. We work for the Sailors … who are prepared to go in harm’s way for the defense of the defenseless and the preservation of our way of life. Make them the inspiration for your daily work.”
NSWCPD employees receiving Career Service Awards, which were presented first during the ceremony, included seven with 40 years of service, 11 with 35 years of service, one with 30 years of service, and four with 25 years of service.
Next up, NSWCPD employees who graduated from the SEDP were honored, including Aviv Hirt, Maya George, Ethan Klabunde, and Christopher Antochy.
The event then shifted to honoring personnel who were granted patents during the last year and presenting first-time patent awardees with the Philadelphia Division Inventor’s Club Award.
NSWCPD employees who were awarded patents included:
• Christopher Buckingham (Acoustically Stiff Wall Patent)
• Frank J. Gulian (Adapter for Modular Catalytic Monoliths Patent and Thermal Integration of a Catalytic Burner and a Carbon Dioxide Removal Unit Patent)
• Eric D. Manna (Cutting Device for Removing a Cable Jacket Patent and Universal Cable Jacket Removal Tool Patent)
• Jacob T. Kephart and Nathan N. Spivey (Responsive Cryogenic Power Distribution System Patent)
• Tristan M. Wolfe, and Kyle J. Verrinder (Flow Control Device for Axial Flow Turbomachines in Series Patent)
• Tristan M. Wolfe (Slip Ring Assembly Having a Brush Assembly Axially Applied to a
Conductive Busbar Ring Patent, Slip Ring Having Multiple Brushes Axially Applied to a Segmented Busbar Patent, and Slip Ring Assembly for Electrical Power Transfer for Centrifugal Turbomachinery Patent)
• Nicholas Cifelli, Scott A. Storms, and Patrick J. Violante (Weight-Loaded Target Carrier for Laser Tracking Patent)
Out of NSWCPD’s patent awardees, the first time inventors who joined the Philadelphia Division Inventor’s Club were as follows:
• Christopher Buckingham
• Jacob T. Kephart
• Nathan N. Spivey
• Eric D. Manna
• Kyle J. Verrinder
• Tristan M. Wolfe
• Nicholas Cifelli
• Scott A. Storms
• Patrick J. Violante
Christopher Buckingham also earned the Philadelphia Division Technology Transfer Award for the commercial licensing of the patent for the Acoustically Stiff Wall. James Quigley worked alongside Buckingham, but received his award during NSWCPD’s FY 2023 First Quarter Awards Ceremony.
Additionally, two NSWCPD employees received Letters of Appreciation “written by various stakeholders acknowledging NSWCPD personnel for their hard work and commitment to ensuring the Navy’s mission is met,” as explained by the event’s emcee NSWCPD Human Resources Specialist Celynda Cortez.
Administrative/Technical Specialist Alexandra Minichino received her Letter of Appreciation from Marcie McLaughlin, the Director, Manpower, Analytics, and HR Systems within the Office of the ASN (M&RA).
“Ms. Minichino is recognized for her professional, dedication, and outstanding support to the Department of Navy. Her tireless work on the inventory of data professionals successfully expanded the Department of Defense (DoD) cyber workforce framework and helped the Navy in identifying data professional requirements,” McLaughlin said in the letter.
Cortez not only was the emcee of the event, but also received a Letter of Appreciation from Stephen Millen, then acting executive director of the Philadelphia Federal Executive Board (FEB). She was recognized for aiding in the annual FEB Excellence in Government Awards Ceremony, thus helping ensure that the event ran smoothly.
NSWCPD personnel who supported the advanced carbon dioxide removal unit were presented with a Colombia Class Submarine Program Certificate of Appreciation during the Letters of Appreciation portion of the ceremony. Those employees included:
• Webb Bell
• Michael Evans
• Neftaly Mendez
• Stephanie Rogers
• Lowery Stripling
• Mae Walker
• Rachael Wyckoff
NSWCPD employs approximately 2,800 civilian engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel. The NSWCPD team does the research and development, test and evaluation, acquisition support, and in-service and logistics engineering for the non-nuclear machinery, ship machinery systems, and related equipment and material for Navy surface ships and submarines. NSWCPD is also the lead organization providing cybersecurity for all ship systems.