Photo By Kimberly Brown | Capt. Matt Sniffin, Naval Air Warfare Center vice commander, presents Toufue Chang,...... read more read more
Toufue Chang, director and chief operating officer for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Avionics, Sensors, and E*Warfare Department, walked into a regular Monday afternoon meeting ready for an hour of updates from the admiral and executive director.
He walked out with a stunned smile and a Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
Capt. Matt Sniffin, NAWCWD vice commander, presented Chang with the award during a surprise ceremony in Point Mugu, California, on Oct. 7; NAWCWD Commander Rear Adm. Scott Dillon and Executive Director Joan Johnson participated via VTC, as did much of NAWCWD’s leadership team.
“I was so surprised,” Chang said. “I come to work every day thankful for an opportunity to help nudge things along with the goal of delivering the best products and services to the warfighter on behalf of the taxpayer.”
Chang went on to thank his team for the help and support throughout the years, asserting that there are others more deserving of recognition.
“The Navy and NAWCWD have given me so much more than I deserve,” he said. “I’m very thankful for all of my teammates who have helped me every step of the way. This recognition is for them.”
Over his nearly 30 years at NAWCWD, Chang has supported programs ranging from EA-6B and Airborne Electronic Attack and managed projects for multiple EW software products. He’s also been tapped for special projects outside his engineering background.
Most recently, Chang voluntarily accepted a special development assignment for the executive director studying, identifying and assessing the overall health of the command’s facilities infrastructure. According to Smiley’s nomination, “the findings and recommendations of this study have been instrumental in the command’s revised approach to facilities management and prioritization of investment funding.”
Dr. Ron Smiley, NAWCWD Research and Development Group director, nominated Chang for the award.
“Mr. Chang … has consistently distinguished himself by exceptional meritorious service in every position he has held with unmatched personal commitment, tremendous professional initiatives, and extraordinary engineering and leadership skills,” Smiley wrote.
The nomination also focused on Chang’s ability to bring diverse groups together to focus on a common goal and inspire others to continue learning and growing. As a mentor, he mentors several junior engineers and hosts brown-bag discussions focused on personal and organizational leadership. That dedication to people does not go unnoticed.
“You were one of the first people I met,” Sniffin said, addressing Chang. “Your passion for the mission was obvious, but so was your passion for the people.”
Johnson echoed Sniffin, saying Chang sets “the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, compassion and focus on the mission. It’s really an honor for all of us, quite frankly, to not only be here, but to work with you. You really do lead by example.”
The Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award is the Navy’s third-highest civilian honor, given for meritorious service or contributions resulting in high value or benefits for the Navy or the Marine Corps.
| Date Taken: | 10.10.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.10.2019 14:38 |
| Story ID: | 347313 |
| Location: | POINT MUGU, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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