NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Holds Change of Command Ceremony

By Tom Kreidel, Naval Facilities Engineering Command

April 29, 2010 - NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic hosted a ceremony at building LP-20 on board Naval Station Norfolk April 26.

Capt. Mark Libonate relieved Capt. David Boone as commanding officer.

Boone explained that the venue, a maintenance garage for the Norfolk Public Works department was in honor of the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic work force of more than 3,500. During the ceremony, guest speaker Rear Adm. Mark Boensel, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic praised Boone's performance as both NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic commanding officer and regional engineer.

He cited Boone's work in Base Re-alignment and Closure, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects, along with the day-to-day work of maintaining and improving bases throughout the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic area of responsibility, which stretches from North Carolina to Maine.

"There is no disputing the numbers, the employees of this command have done extraordinary work to accomplish the mission across the entire Area of Responsibility," said Boone. "But it is not the numbers; it is the people I will remember most.

Rear Adm. Kevin Slates, commander NAVFAC Atlantic presented Boone with the Legion of Merit for his work over the last 19 months at NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic. Boone, who has recently been selected for advancement to rear admiral, will report to his next assignment as director, Shore Readiness Division (N-46) on the Chief of Naval Operation's staff.

Libonate comes to NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic from NAVFAC Atlantic where he served as operations officer.