Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) commander, Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey, has announced Linn Lebel, P.E., as NAVFAC Project Manager of the Year for 2023.

“I congratulate Ms. Lebel on receiving this award,” said VanderLey. “She epitomizes the leadership and technical expertise that are the foundation of effective project management and mission success. Project leadership like hers is essential for NAVFAC to deliver projects on time, within budget, while meeting the mission requirements of our Supported Commanders.”

A civil engineer who began her career with NAVFAC in 2015, Lebel joined Officer in Charge of Construction Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (OICC PNSY) in April 2021 to oversee the $1.8B Multi-Mission Dry Dock #1 project, the Navy’s largest military construction (MILCON) project awarded in NAVFAC history and the first Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) mega-project. SIOP is a holistic investment plan that integrates all infrastructure and industrial plant equipment investments at the Navy’s four public shipyards to meet fleet maintenance requirements and improve Navy maintenance capabilities.

“Linn has distinguished herself as a superior leader throughout her NAVFAC career,” said OICC PNSY Commanding Officer, Capt. Frank Carroll. “She is an outstanding professional and a shining star among the exceptional talent within NAVFAC. Her leadership, expertise, and dedication have had a direct and positive impact on SIOP and NAVFAC.”

Lebel has successfully managed numerous projects in support of PNSY’s waterfront infrastructure improvements, including several MILCON projects for the Los Angeles Class Submarine Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) and SIOP. In addition to the Multi-Mission Dry Dock project, she was the project manager for the Super Flood Basin which modified existing structures, parts of which were built in 1845, to allow the docking of submarines regardless of the tide in the Piscataqua River.

A native of Trumbull, Connecticut, now living in Kensington, New Hampshire, Lebel noted, “It’s an incredible honor to be named NAVFAC Project Manager of the Year. I am proud to be a member of such an amazing, hard-working team.”

Lebel is no stranger to recognition. In 2019, she was NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic’s Engineer of the Year and most recently, Project Manager of the Year for OICC PNSY.

OICC PNSY leads the way with SIOP and submarine projects designed to meet the fleet’s operational cycle and expected service life requirements, providing post-award construction oversight for over $2.8 billion of military construction and special projects through 2028. The command ensures dedicated focus on constructing critical production support projects in support of the fleet.

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