FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 6, 2021
Release #2164 Point of Contact—Jeffrey Prater (401) 832-2039
Two NUWC Division Newport employees receive Meritorious Civilian Service Awards
Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport employees Tammi McCarraher, deputy comptroller, and Jeff Prater, public affairs officer, recently received Department of the Navy (DON) Meritorious Civilian Service Awards, the third highest honorary civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Navy.
McCarraher, a resident of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, has earned an outstanding reputation as a consummate professional and leader over her 35-year federal career and has played a critical role in maintaining Division Newport’s financial integrity.
During her tenure, Division Newport achieved its overhead budget annually between 2015 and 2020, saving the Navy more than $8 million.
“Her understanding of cash trends has played a key part in Division Newport’s success in maintaining historical files that help Naval Sea Systems Command understand how to proactively manage its cash,” the award states. “Additionally, as a well-respected subject matter expert, she regularly mentors others at Division Newport and within the larger warfare center community.”
McCarraher received her award during a ceremony with Division Newport Commanding Officer Capt. Chad Hennings and Technical Director Ron Vien on Nov. 17.
Prater, a resident of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is a retired naval officer and a 15-year DON career employee. He was recognized for the creation and execution of a highly successful campaign to celebrate Division Newport’s 150th anniversary in 2019, including a detailed communications plan that showcased the Division’s sustained defense contributions to the Navy.
With a concerted effort and nearly two years of planning, the campaign generated enhanced pride among the workforce and local community and encouraged a greater appreciation for Division Newport’s history and many achievements, as seen in the 150th anniversary commemorative yearbook. [link- https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Portals/103/Documents/NUWC_Newport/NUWCNewport150thYearbook.pdf?ver=2020-06-04-143639-243]
“His leadership, enthusiasm and coordination of 19 related events were key to the campaign’s success, including the culminating event of unveiling a permanent commemorative monument with senior Navy leaders, dignitaries and Rhode Island’s congressional delegation,” the award states.
Prater received his award from Vien and Executive Officer Cmdr. Michael Kendel during an awards ceremony held on Sept. 29.
NUWC Division Newport is a shore command of the U.S. Navy within the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, builds and supports America’s fleet of ships and combat systems. NUWC Newport provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures associated with undersea warfare.
NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Capt. Chad Hennings, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher's Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.
Join our team! NUWC Division Newport, one of the 20 largest employers in Rhode Island, employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, and other STEM professionals, as well as talented business, finance, logistics and other support experts who wish to be at the forefront of undersea research and development. Please connect with NUWC Division Newport Recruiting at this site- https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NUWC-Newport/Career-Opportunities/ and follow us on LinkedIn @NUWC-Newport and on Facebook @NUWCNewport.
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