Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Officer in Charge of Construction (OICC) China Lake’s 2024 Military Engineer of the Year was awarded to Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Dahms, Operations Officer and China Lake Propulsion Laboratory (CLPL) Supervisory General Engineer.
As OICC China Lake’s Operations Officer, he manages the execution of a nearly $4 billion earthquake recovery program aboard Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake. His efforts contributed to numerous innovations within the Program’s management and construction processes, an unprecedented level of cooperation with contractors and involvement with the end users to minimize project delays and tailor each facility to best suit their unique needs.
Dahms also took charge of leading the 47-person CLPL program delivery team, comprised of NAVFAC, NAWCWD, and contractor employees. This team was responsible for overseeing the construction of eight projects, including test facilities, laboratories, and workshops, across the expansive and diverse landscape of China Lake.
In addition to his daily responsibilities to the OICC, Dahms is actively involved with the Society of American Military Engineers. He leads the Credentialing Committee that works to assist and supply members with tools and resources to develop and advance their careers within the Architect/Engineer/Construction professions.
“Lt. Cmdr. Dahms was selected for his tremendous performance this past year, while expertly managing two full-time positions, first as our Operations Officer and stepping in as the Supervisory General Engineer at the CLPL field office,” said Capt. Wainwright. “His leadership, technical expertise, and professional involvement with industry made him an easy choice. Dahms’ package will now compete against other deserving engineers from around the NAVFAC Enterprise.”
Prior to joining the OICC China Lake team, Dahms, served as Construction Management Engineer with OICC Marine Corps Installation East on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, “Alfa” Company Commander with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, Transportation Director and Production Officer for the Naval Base Guam Public Works Department, Assistant Operations Officer for NAVFAC Marianas, and Officer in Charge, Naval Support Unit, U.S. Department of State where he led 139 Seabees deployed in 48 locations around the world.
Lt. Cmdr. Dahms is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Wisconsin and a Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, achieving certifications for Public Works Level III and is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community. He received a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Design and Construction at Stanford University in 2022 and his personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (2) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2). He was also named the 2017 NAVFAC Marianas Military Engineer of the Year and recipient of the 2018 Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) National Young Member Medal and SAME Pacific Region Vice President Medal in 2018. He currently serves on the SAME National Young Professional Community of Interest as the Vice Chair for Credentialing.
OICC China Lake was established in August 2020 to provide engineering, acquisition, and execution oversight for military construction and repair projects caused by the devastating damage from the 6.4 and 7.1 magnitude earthquakes that occurred on July 4 and 5, 2019.