628th CES commander named 2015 Federal Engineer of the Year

by Seamus O'Boyle
628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

3/9/2015 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The National Society of Professional Engineers named Lt. Col. Patrick Miller, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, as the nation's top federal engineer during a ceremony Feb. 26, 2015 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

"This is the second year in a row that the Air Force nominees have finished in the top 10 with one taking top honors," said Brig. Gen. Timothy Green, the director of the Air Force Civil Engineers, "This is a remarkable achievement that reflects highly upon the selectees, our civil engineer community and the U.S. Air Force."

The Federal Engineer of the Year Award, sponsored by the Professional Engineers in Government, is the only one of its kind that honors outstanding engineers employed by the federal government.

Miller and the other nominees were evaluated on factors such as, engineering achievements, education, professional and technical society activities, awards and honors, and civic and humanitarian activities.

"Joint base Charleston is very fortunate to have Lt. Col. Miller as our 628th CES commander," said Capt. Timothy Sparks, Joint Base Charleston deputy commander. "This award is a true testament to his leadership, management and technical abilities that he aptly  applies as he leads his command team in providing the outstanding services to the base community."

As the 628th CES commander, Miller is responsible for a $3.2 billion physical plant which includes 1800 facilities, four runways, five piers, two wharfs, and 34 miles of rail across 24,000 acres, providing him with a unique portfolio for an Air Force engineer.

During a deployment to Afghanistan, Miller accomplished more than 150 outside the wire missions to lead a $161 million construction program essential to organizing, training and equipping the Afghan National Security Force. He also led construction of a $20 million Afghan Commando and Special Forces compound and the $99 million Afghan pilot training campus for 1,200 Afghan Air Force pilots.

Miller was most recently deployed to Guantanamo Bay, where he led a 42-person engineer team in the in operation and maintenance of detention facilities, as well as the Expeditionary Legal Complex, all in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo and the Office of Military Commissions.

Being named the NSPE's Federal Engineer of the Year was not something Miller could have anticipated.

"Considering the high level of competition from the many other federal agencies, this is truly a humbling experience and the award is really a tribute to all of the men and women with whom I have had the privilege to serve."

Miller will be recognized again during the NSPE 2015 Annual Convention in Seattle, Wash., July 15 to 19.