WASHINGTON - Rear Adm. Michael K. Loose, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and chief of civil engineers announced the 2006 Military and Civilian Engineer of the Year during an award ceremony held at NAVFAC Headquarters Dec. 21, 2005.

From an elite group of nominees, Leighton Wong, from NAVFAC Pacific, was selected as the Civilian Engineer of the Year and Cmdr. David M. Smith, from Engineering Field Activity Southeast (EFAS SE)/Public Works Center (PWC) Jacksonville, Fla., was selected as the Military Engineer of the Year. They will be the NAVFAC nominees for the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Federal Engineer of the Year award.

“The remarkable achievements of all the nominees made this year’s competition very challenging,” said Loose. “Everyone demonstrated the highest degree of engineering professionalism and technical expertise.”

“Our participation in the National Society of Professional Engineers Federal Engineer of the Year Award Program provides an excellent opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contributions NAVFAC engineers provide to the Navy/Marine Corps, our many customers and our nation,” said Loose.

Both engineers have been active members of several technical associations, have received numerous awards and have given generously of their time to their communities.

Wong is a Registered Engineer in Hawaii. Under his guidance, the top Command Pacific Fleet Environmental Program has grown, into a critical joint service initiative since its inception in 2001. Recognized as a leader in his field, he also developed and disseminated policies and guidance for the NAVFAC Corporation in his product line, effectively managed and executed a $20 million annual cleanup program, and pursued process and technological changes saving the Navy millions of dollars.

In May 2005, he received environmental restoration awards from the Chief of Naval Operations, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of Defense for proving terminal treatment is a feasible, cost-saving technology for global application. He designed, constructed, and operated a technologically advanced process. Completed in fiscal year '05, the project saved $25 million by treating 44,000 cubic yards of PCB contaminated soil from 86 sites in Hawaii instead of exporting the material to mainland disposal facilities.

Smith was also cited as an exceptional engineer and leader. As operations officer with EFAS/PWC Jacksonville, he led the planning efforts to merge the organization with NAVFAC Southern Division. He eagerly volunteered to deploy to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to assist with assessment and recovery operations after Hurricane Katrina. Due to his efforts and those of his fellow volunteers, installations quickly supported our war fighters.

While assigned as a Lead Program Engineer at Project Contracts Office Iraq, Cmdr. Smith identified and managed the $2 billion major infrastructure improvement program to restore critical water resources and other vital public works facilities to Iraq. His efforts in leading a 45-member staff have restored water services to nearly 6 million citizens and reclaimed 3,000 acres of farmland. Leading a staff of 150 personnel at Naval Air Station Oceana, he executed facilities service and construction valued at more than $135 million per year improving the mission capabilities and quality of life for thousands of personnel assigned to the station.