NAVFAC Northwest welcomes new commanding officer amid critical period of infrastructure investment, celebrates recent accomplishments

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Northwest held a change of command ceremony Aug. 28, where Capt. Bob Stiles relieved Capt. Preston Taylor as commanding officer of NAVFAC Northwest.

The ceremony took place following the standup of Officer In Charge of Construction Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (OICC PSNS), the command tasked with undertaking the multi-billion-dollar Multi-Mission Dry Dock project. Rear Adm. Omarr Tobias, NAVFAC Pacific commander, presided over the ceremony and delivered the keynote address.

“Leading NAVFAC Northwest is monumental,” Tobias said. “This command’s portfolio is staggering in its scale and strategic importance, supporting everything from our nuclear deterrent force to the future of unmanned warfare. NAVFAC Northwest directly enables some of our nation’s most critical priorities.”

Tobias reflected on the accomplishments of the NAVFAC Northwest team under Taylor’s leadership, including paving the way for the successful establishment of OICC PSNS, laying the groundwork for Phase Zero for Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) projects at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), and seismic retrofit efforts at Dry Dock 4 that finished on time and on budget, even with additional modernization work added along the way.

“During his tenure, Preston guided his team of 1,300 personnel to deliver exceptional results that will ensure the readiness of the Pacific Fleet for years to come,” Tobias said. “Across the board, this team planned, awarded, and executed a massive $2.7 billion portfolio of construction and repair projects. Preston drove innovation and showed an unwavering commitment to his people, recognizing their superior performance and ensuring they had the tools and support to succeed.”

Taylor will move on to his next assignment with Commander, Navy Installations Command after a successful tour leading the engineering, construction and acquisition professionals of NAVFAC Northwest during a formidable two-year period full of change.

“One of the things I have come to appreciate most about NAVFAC is that when we do our jobs well, people often don’t notice,” Taylor said. “The building, utilities and the roads work, the shipyard has what it needs, contracts are built, solicited, awarded, and executed without a hitch, environmental stewardship is maintained, the installation is ready and the mission continues. But behind all of that is an incredible amount of expertise, dedication, coordination, and hard work. I want you to know that I have seen the late nights, difficult decisions, people step forward when nobody was asking them to and I have seen you take care of teammates. Those are the things that make me proud to have been your commanding officer.”

Taylor reflected on the insurmountable change the command overcame and thanked the NAVFAC Northwest team for remaining committed to the mission during his tenure.

“We are not owners of these organizations – we are stewards of them,” Taylor said. “For a few years, we have the privilege of holding something that belongs to the Navy. Our job is to care for, strengthen, develop the people within it, and when the time comes, to turn it over to the next generation. Today, that time has come for me, and while there is certainly some sadness in saying goodbye, I don’t leave this command looking backward – I leave looking forward.”

As Taylor heads on to his next assignment, Stiles steps into the role ready, willing and able to tackle the next round of changes to come.

A registered Professional Engineer and a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps, Stiles arrives as NAVFAC Northwest embarks on a critical period of infrastructure investment with the launch of a massive SIOP initiative at PSNS & IMF.

Stiles brings unique qualifications to this role. He recently commanded OICC Marine Corps Marianas, where he executed an $8.7 billion construction program in Guam. His experience also includes a prior tour as Assistant Public Works Officer for Naval Base Kitsap, overseeing sites in Bremerton and the surrounding area.

“To carry on this legacy of success, we need a leader of exceptional skill and proven experience,” Tobias said. “Today, we are getting exactly that in Capt. Bob Stiles. His experience, including a recent tour commanding OICC Marine Corps Marianas — overseeing one of the largest DoD construction programs in decades — has prepared him perfectly for the scope and complexity of the mission here in the Northwest. He is a seasoned, decisive, and people-focused leader who knows how to deliver results.”

A native of Pierre, South Dakota, Stiles holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Kansas State University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Clemson University. He gained extensive operational experience leading Seabee units in Iraq and Afghanistan and has served in various facilities and construction leadership roles in California, Italy, and Washington.

"I am honored to return to the Pacific Northwest and join the exceptional team at NAVFAC Northwest," Stiles said. "In the midst of many changes and opportunities across the Navy, it’s an exciting time to be here, partner with industry and our local community, and deliver results that matter to the Fleet and joint force in support of our national defense.

– USN –

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command is the naval shore facilities, base operating support, and expeditionary engineering systems command that delivers life-cycle technical and acquisition solutions aligned to the fleet and Marine Corps priorities. Follow us at http://www.facebook.com/navfacnorthwest and http://www.linkedin.com/showcase/navfacnorthwest.

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