Quinn ’90 Receives Award

Quinn ’90 Honored for Leadership Impacting Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Program

By Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Corporate Communications

After 20 years of active duty service, former sub- “Mr. Quinn’s emphasis on innovation in program marine service officer Paul Quinn ’90 decided to management has led to significant successes probegin his civilian career at Naval Surface Warfare viding new capabilities to the warfighter,” accordCenter Dahlgren Division after personally experi- ing to the award citation. “Quinn was the thrust encing the command’s responsiveness and impact behind Dahlgren Division adopting development to his needs as a warfighter. process and methods. His dedication to technical

“The quality of workmanship I was provided, excellence, leadership, and mentoring reflect great as well as the analytical quality, really impressed honor on himself, Dahlgren Division, and the me,” said Quinn, recounting his first interaction United States Navy.” with NSWCDD employees while on active duty. “I’ve always felt it’s important to be a positive “When I retired, I knew I wanted to come back influence on the community of people we work and work at Dahlgren. The people especially were and live with every day,” said Quinn. “I see this incredibly responsive to fleet needs.” award as an affirmation of that effort. This award

Ten years after making that decision, Quinn won is just as much a testament to my team, as much as the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian me, of what we’ve been able to achieve together.” Service award for his responsiveness to the fleet’s In addition to his team, Quinn credits his father, requirements and “exceptional leadership and Cecil; wife, Debby; and daughter, Caitlyn, for commitment to the Submarine Launched Ballistic motivating him. Missile Program,” according to the award citation. “This award shows me I’m setting a good ex-

The program is one of the three parts of the ample for my daughter. I want the future that she Navy’s nuclear deterrent for the United States. lives in to be a bright one. It inspires me to continue Quinn acts as the program director for the different strategic systems projects at NSWCDD. Quinn ’90 to do all I can to positively impact the community and workplace.”

“This program is very different than other Caitlyn is also a NSWCDD employee, recently weapon system development programs because it’s actively doing its job transitioning to a full-time position after her involvement in the Departtoday,” said Quinn. “I personally believe that this program has stopped ment of the Navy Pathways Internship Program. the spread of world wars on a global scale since the concept was first Pathways is a program designed to provide degree-seeking students introduced in the post-World War II era. I feel like I’m actively saving with early exposure to public service, educational experience enhancelives in my day-to-day job.” ment, and possible financial aid. Within four months of degree comple-

NSWCDD is one of two warfare centers with programs under the tion, most interns receive a career appointment. overall SLBM program. “Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division Caitlyn says her dad encourages her to keep doing her best. “He is a is associated with the hardware portion of the program. At Dahlgren, very forward-thinking person, and I think that’s really rare nowadays. we have a primarily software and analytical background,” said Quinn. He strives to make everything he touches just a little bit better,” she said.

The SLBM program at NSWCDD performs software development for “This award shows that his hard work and dedication are really paying the current system and for the not-yet-commissioned newest submarine off. I’m really proud and honored that he got this.” class: The U.S. Navy’s Columbia Class submarine and the British Royal Quinn is one of 90 individuals and 39 teams honored with various Navy’s Dreadnought submarine. awards.

Alumni Mark Founders Day in Djibouti, Africa

On Founders Day in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, are U.S. Navy Capt. Craig Eubank ’93, task force chief staff officer; U.S. Army Maj. Heather Guidry ’06, 3rd Battalion, 58th Aviation Regiment; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora ’87, Combined Joint Task Force—Horn of Africa commanding general; U.S. Air Force Maj. Salvatore Sferrazza ’07, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron; and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Scott Trask ’03, M.D., Expeditionary Medical Facility general surgeon.

Gonzales ’03 Serves With Drug Enforcement Administration

Josh Gonzales ’03 (third from right) stands with a Drug Enforcement Administration task force, comprised of federal, state, and local police officers. The task force is pictured after a successful seizure of 60 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in New Orleans, Louisiana. Gonzales is the DEA group supervisor in the task force and is assigned to the New Orleans Field Division.

Diehl ’06, Richman ’04 Serve Together

Maj. John Diehl ’06 (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Chris Richman ’04 (right) serve in the same special forces company. Diehl is the company commander and Richman is a senior weapons sergeant.

Fajardo ’20 Commissions in Guam

On Aug. 24, 2020, Angelojoel Fajardo ’20 commissioned as a U.S. Army second lieutenant at his home in Guam. His father, an Air Force veteran, gave Fajardo his first salute at a war memorial on the island.

Several VMI alumni (above) including Joseph Phillips ’19, Shawn Gardner ’16, and Samantha Shepherd ’18 graduated from Ranger School Nov. 12, 2020. Shepherd is the first female medical services officer to earn this distinction and the 57th female graduate. She completed the school without being recycled. Shepherd (below, third from right) with fellow soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division.—Photo by the U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade.