NORFOLK, Va. – Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic (NAVFAC MIDLANT) named Robert Delgado‑Navarro, P.E., Design Director for Naval Station (NS) Great Lakes Public Works Department, as its 2026 Civilian Engineer of the Year, in recognition of his exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to mission excellence.
“It’s with great pride that we congratulate Robert Delgado‑Navarro for his exceptional accomplishments,” said Capt. Ryan Carey, NAVFAC MIDLANT. “Each year, we recognize peer‑nominated individuals whose exceptional performance and dedication strengthen their profession, and our nominees stand out through their achievements, service to their communities, pursuit of professional growth, and leadership within technical and professional circles. Congratulations to this dedicated and talented professional on his achievement, and prestigious recognition!”
Delgado‑Navarro, a Portsmouth, Virginia native, carries forward a family legacy of service – his father also served as a CEC officer. He brings to NAVFAC a distinguished blend of military experience, civil engineering heritage, and extensive global and technical expertise. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin. His Navy career began through the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program and includes more than a decade of active‑duty service in the Civil Engineer Corps, followed by continued service in the Navy Reserve since 2020. He first supported NAVFAC during his active‑duty tour in 2014 and returned to the organization as a civilian in 2022.
Over the course of his career, he has executed engineering projects around the world, from constructing facilities in war zones and supporting humanitarian missions to managing complex military construction efforts and developing infrastructure for underserved communities. These experiences reinforced his belief in the enduring trust placed in the engineering profession and the responsibility engineers carry to safeguard the public.
“This was truly an unexpected but very welcome surprise. While many in my office are equally deserving, it means a great deal to have the hard work we put in this year recognized,” said Delgado‑Navarro. “Having started work with my team as a Design Manager, I’ve gotten to know each of my colleagues better and appreciated how everyone supported one another. After stepping into the Co‑Design Director role, I couldn’t be more pleased to help lead my team and witness their dedication and professionalism firsthand. I feel honored to co‑manage such a wonderful team of engineers and architects, and I attribute much of our success to my former supervisor, and now colleague, Charles Madary.” (Note: Madary was awarded the 2025 Architect, Landscape Architect & Interior Designer of the Year.)
Throughout his tenure at NS Great Lakes, Delgado‑Navarro has played a pivotal role in delivering more than $158 million in critical Navy infrastructure projects. His leadership has been especially impactful over the past three years, during which he guided three urgent, high‑visibility efforts. For the Navy’s Facility Structural Inspection Program, he was a member of the team that assessed the structural condition of 100 buildings across the installation, producing comprehensive, actionable reports well ahead of schedule. He also spearheaded a $27 million emergency repair effort for the station’s potable water treatment plant, demonstrating exceptional technical judgment in requirements development, scope definition, design evaluation, and contract award, setting the foundation for construction work that began in late 2025.
He also served as the initial planner, technical reviewer, and estimator for the $120 million Halsey Village demolition and restoration project, a congressionally visible effort involving 352 Public‑Private Venture housing units. His planning accelerated the first two phases of what was originally a 12‑year, three‑phase effort, enabling environmental remediation to begin in 2026. Balancing demanding project responsibilities with family life and continued Navy Reserve service, he has consistently demonstrated the engineering acumen, leadership, and professional integrity that define the Navy’s most trusted technical experts.
“In my professional career, I’ve noticed that across the spectrum of jobs I’ve held, the amount of trust and respect people have for the engineering profession is unwavering,” he said. “When people need to rely on a technical subject‑matter expert … someone who has spent years studying and is trained to put the interest and safety of the public first … engineering is held among the top professions in the world.”
NAVFAC MIDLANT provides facilities engineering, public works and environmental products and services across an area of responsibility that spans from South Carolina to Maine, as far west as Illinois, and down to Indiana. As an integral member of the Commander, Naval Installations Command team, NAVFAC MIDLANT helps to ensure regional facilities and infrastructure are managed efficiently and effectively.
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