Congratulations to Lt. Matthew Fann, the Facilities Engineering Department head at Base Charleston, SC, for being recognized with 2024 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year Award. An awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 21, 2025 to recognize the accomplishments of Lt. Fann. Additionally, as the Coast Guard Engineer of the Year, he will be nominated for the National Society of Professional Engineers Federal Engineer of the Year Award.
As a licensed Professional Engineer in Electrical Engineering, Lt. Fann identified a life-threatening shock hazard to all personnel on the servicing shore electrical infrastructure for the newly delivered National Security Cutter (NSC). He initiated a Technical Engineering decision to ensure the safety of the cutter's crew and equipment by securing power to the cutter until a safe shore power configuration could be implemented.
Lt. Fann also identified additional electrical component issues on all shore electrical supply supporting the NSCs, as well as numerous systemic electrical issues regarding shore power configurations Coast Guard-wide to improve safety and electrical ground detection.
As the Base on-site Engineer, Lt. Fann oversees all facility maintenance, construction and improvement initiatives required to maintain 100 acres of property and 215 thousand square feet of building space, representing the Coast Guard with key federal, state, local and military stakeholders, and leading Base Charleston's 15-year capital infrastructure investment plan as the future homeport for 10 major cutters.
Lt. Fann holds two Master's degrees (Electrical Engineering and Project Management), is a registered Professional Engineer in South Carolina, and an Engineer in Training in Virginia. A lifelong learner, LT Fann has logged more than 90 hours of Continuing Education within the awarding timeframe and is a member of 7 Professional and Technical Societies including the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Well done to the following distinguished engineers who were honorable mentions for the 2024 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year Award, listed in alphabetical order:
- CDR Beau Belanger, CG Air Station Borinquen
- Julie Berens, COMDT (CG-46)
- MKC Carlos Camacho, COMDT (CG-DCO-I-2)
- LT Kiera Hollenbeck P.E., CEU Oakland
- CDR Chanel Lee, ALC
- CDR Elizabeth Nakagawa P.E., CG TRACEN Petaluma
- Harold Piper P.E., CG Base New Orleans
- LT Thomas Porzillo P.E., SILC
- Rachel Thomas P.E., Marine Safety Center
- Sudhakara Velaga, C5I Service Center
- LCDR Tyler Vieira P.E., CG FDCC
- CWO4 Travis Wood, C5I Service Center
- CWO4 Sean Woodworth, CGC BERTHOLF (WMSL-750)
- CWO3 Adam Wright, CG Sector LA-LB
Leaders are encouraged to take the opportunity during next year's 2025 solicitation to recognize their highest performing engineering professionals.
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