PANAMA CITY, Fla. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division’s (NSWC PCD) continued commitment to strengthen the Navy team through technical competency and leadership development was on full display during the Navy lab’s Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Annual Awards Ceremony held at Florida State University Panama City, March 26.
“Today, we celebrate the embodiment of the warrior ethos. It’s not just for those in uniform – it is in the relentless pursuit of a solution, the collaborative spirit of a project team, and the shared commitment to delivering excellence,” said Capt. Paul Stence, Jr., NSWC PCD commanding officer. “Our standards are high and uncompromising because the stakes are even higher. The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose, and that unity begins right here.”
Commonly known as the Commanding Officer and Technical Director Awards, this ceremony highlighted the outstanding achievements ranging across 15 categories, including nine individuals being recognized for awards, such as business excellence, career achievement and the NSWC PCD Hall of Fame Award. The event also recognized the command’s employees who were awarded patents during FY25 and inducted three new members into the command’s Inventor’s Society.
“I’m very grateful to be a small part of the Contractor Working Group [winners of the Excellence in Business Innovation Award]. This team has amazing collaboration from every member,” said Monica Beaver, NSWC PCD Business Data Intelligence lead. “This experience has taught me how we can improve the command’s processes by working with a cross-functional group toward a common goal [to support the fleet].”
While the event allows this Navy lab a moment to reflect, the energy to serve the nation, the warfighter and the mission continues with the engine that drives Naval superiority.
“Our greatest asset has never been the technology alone; it’s always been our people. It’s the pride in knowing that the systems you design protect our sons and daughters in harm's way,” said Dr. Peter Adair, NSWC PCD technical director. “It’s the commitment to one another and to the warfighter, the mentorship of our junior workforce, and the shared belief that our work safeguards our American way of life. That is a legacy worth building. [These] awards truly represent a commitment to excellence, a passion for service, and a deep and abiding dedication to our nation and to each other.”