Photo By Michael A Furlano | Dave Kelly and Michelle Gomez Awarded for Outstanding Careers... read more read more
The Navy Superior Civilian Service Award (NSCSA) stands as one of the highest honors a civilian employee can receive. It is awarded to individuals who demonstrate exceptional, long-term contributions to the Navy’s mission. This prestigious recognition is reserved for those who have gone above and beyond, showing extraordinary leadership, dedication, and innovation.
Recently, two remarkable individuals, Ms. Michelle Gomez and Mr. Dave Kelly, were honored with this award for their outstanding contributions in support of the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) mission. Their service over decades exemplifies not only their professional excellence but also their unwavering commitment to the defense of our country.
Legacy of Leadership and Excellence
Michelle Gomez, the FRCSW Executive Director, has dedicated over 48 years of exemplary service to the U.S. Navy. In her distinguished career, Ms. Gomez served in various leadership roles, including as the Vertical Lift Program Manager, prior to shaping the FRCSW depot operations into a model of efficiency, innovation, and mission readiness.
Ms. Gomez's leadership at FRCSW has been transformational. She led the command with unmatched organizational expertise and a steadfast commitment to delivering military lethality worldwide in support of the President’s National Defense Strategy. Her efforts were instrumental in establishing FRCSW as a customer-focused powerhouse that consistently exceeded expectations in safety, quality, on-time delivery and financial performance.
Her “Win-Win” spirit fostered collaboration across the entire FRC enterprise, breaking down silos and ensuring mission readiness for the men and women of the Navy and Marine Corps. Through her leadership, FRCSW became a highly efficient and effective organization that consistently delivered aircraft and components crucial to fleet operations. Ms. Gomez's remarkable career has set a standard for professional excellence and has created a legacy of service that will be felt for years to come.
Transforming Aviation Maintenance and Readiness
Dave Kelly, the Production Director at FRCSW, is another exemplary recipient. A retired Lt Col in the Marine Corps, Mr. Kelly has served as the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) Production Director from 2012 to present. During that time his leadership has played a pivotal role in ensuring the readiness and sustainment of the Navy’s aviation fleet.
Under his direction, the FRCSW production team has met or surpassed aircraft production goals for 9 consecutive years. In fiscal years 2023 and 2024 alone, the team achieved a 103% performance-to-plan rate, producing 298 aircraft on a schedule of 289, with an outstanding 93% on-time delivery rate. Additionally, the H-60 Vertical Lift Product Line reached an unprecedented milestone, completing 165 consecutive Planned Maintenance Interval (PMI) depot events within turn-around-time requirements.
One of Mr. Kelly’s most notable achievements was his leadership in the successful F/A-18 Service Life Modification (SLM) program. The first aircraft was completed 10 months ahead of schedule and $1.7M under budget. This success paved the way for a public-private partnership that has since produced 14 subsequent SLM aircraft, demonstrating Mr. Kelly's ability to drive cost-effective, efficient solutions that enhance operational readiness.
He also revolutionized accountability at FRCSW by embedding transparent metrics and empowering his team to monitor and manage critical resources. His work to expand the Naval Sustainment System across all product lines resulted in significant increases in aircraft maintenance throughput, directly supporting the Navy and Marine Corps’ readiness goals.
Ms. Gomez and Mr. Kelly have not only demonstrated exceptional leadership in their respective roles but have also exemplified the qualities of great American patriots. Their careers have been dedicated to ensuring that the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Their unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration has had a profound impact on naval aviation and will continue to resonate across the military for years to come.
The Navy Superior Civilian Service Award is a testament to their extraordinary service, and their recognition is not only well-deserved but also a reflection of the significant role civilians play in supporting the Navy’s mission and advancing the nation’s defense strategy.
Their contributions remind us that every individual who serves the military, whether in uniform or in a civilian capacity, plays an integral part in ensuring our nation's security.
Thank you both for a job very well done!
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2025 13:29 |
| Story ID: | 549713 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 331 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, FRCSW Employees Earn Navy Superior Civilian Service Award, by Michael A Furlano, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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