Saum Takes Command of EXWC

Photo By Palmer Pinckney II | PORT HUENEME, Calif., (July 11, 2018) – Capt. Mark Saum (pictured: at podium) assumed command of Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) from Capt. John J. Adametz during a command ceremony held onboard Naval Base Ventura County, July 11. At the ceremony Sailors, family, and friends watch as Rear Adm. Bret J. Muilenburg promoted Adametz to the rank of Rear Admiral (Lower Half). Saum is the fifth commanding officer of EXWC. Official Navy photograph by Palmer Pinckney II/Released  

PORT HUENEME, CA, UNITED STATES

07.11.2018

Story by Palmer Pinckney II 

Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center

Capt. Mike Saum relieved Capt. John J. Adametz as commanding officer. Adametz served as the NAVFAC EXWC commanding officer from September 2017 to July 2018 and was promoted to rear admiral (lower half) during the ceremony. Adametz’s next assignment will be as the commander for NAVFAC Pacific, headquartered at Pearl Harbor.
During his remarks, Adametz recognized the EXWC workforce and their accomplishments.
“The men and women of NAVFAC EXWC have led the facilities research and development, specialized engineering, execution of projects, and delivery of expeditionary equipment in support of the Navy, Marine Corps, and national and military strategies of readiness around the world. I am proud to have served with you.”
Rear Adm. Bret Muilenburg, commander, NAVFAC/chief of Civil Engineer Corps, presided over the ceremony. In his introduction, Muilenburg praised the diversity and scope of the EXWC portfolio.
“[Capt. Adametz and I] chose to dedicate an entire monthly briefing to the Chief of Naval Operations on the work that EXWC does. When we sat down to write it, we realized that one month was not nearly enough time to cover the breadth of projects…so we did it twice,” said Muilenburg. “We told the whole world about EXWC and all the good work you do for our Navy and Marine Corps warfighters.”
Saum arrives at NAVFAC EXWC with 26 years of experience as a naval officer. He graduated from New York’s Union College in 1992 with a degree in civil engineering, holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of California - Berkeley, and is a graduate of the Executive Program at the University of Virginia.
His naval expertise includes roles as an assistant resident officer in charge of Construction, Engineering Field Activity, Diving and Littoral Operations Branch Head and Mission Planning Integrated Product Team Leader, Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Division director, shore readiness analyst, public works officer, and deputy commander for Operations for NAVFAC Pacific. Saum is also a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, a member of the Acquisition Professional Community, a registered Professional Engineer in California and Oregon, and a basic diving officer.
“My philosophy of command has always been mission, people, pride,” said Saum. “It’s my belief that if you understand and are compelled by your job, you do it with people you care about and with whom you share a passion and you’re proud of what you do… you can’t go wrong.”
Muilenburg saluted as he gave verbal approval for Saum to relieve Adametz as the fifth EXWC commander. This long-standing Navy tradition immediately passed full responsibility and authority of a staff of professionals presently conducting more than 600 worldwide projects in support the Department of the Navy mission to Saum.
NAVFAC EXWC is a command of more than 1,200 dedicated federal employees, contractors, and military personnel who provide specialized facilities engineering, technology solutions, and life-cycle management of expeditionary equipment to the Navy, Marine Corps, federal agencies, and other Department of Defense supported commands.

• Date Taken: 07.11.2018
• Date Posted: 07.16.2018 18:43
• Story ID: 284497
• Location: PORT HUENEME, CA, US
• Hometown: PAWLING, NY, US