CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS — A 2012 Foy H. Moody High School graduate and Corpus Christi, Texas, native is serving with Navy Facilities Engineering Command Southeast (NAVFAC Southeast) in Jacksonville, Florida, a key engineering command.
Lt. j.g. Stephen Gonzalez serves as a civil engineer corps officer that is responsible for serving as a construction manager.
Gonzalez is a 2017 graduate of United States Naval Academy. Gonzalez credits their hometown for giving them opportunities they would not have had otherwise experienced that has helped in naval service.
"The lesson that I have learned from my hometown is that humility goes a long way," said Gonzalez. NAVFAC plans, designs and manages construction; provides contingency engineering response; and enables energy security and environmental stewardship for the U.S. Navy.
The Jacksonville office manages operations on Navy installations from Charleston, S.C. to Corpus Christi, Texas and south to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. NAVFAC professionals also acquire and dispose of real estate, manage and maintain the facilities on all naval bases, and provide housing for military families.
Its Public Works Departments provide facilities support services to installations. Every day presents new and different challenges for the professionals of the Command. From planning a new full-service hospital to the construction of a state-of-the-art hangar facility, members of the Command make significant contributions to the Navy.
"It is an honor to lead the men and women of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast," said NAVFAC Southeast Commanding Officer Capt. Mike Monreal. "Our team of facilities and acquisition experts have tremendous dedication and professionalism as they drive infrastructure readiness in support of our nation's Warfighters."
Gonzalez is now a part of a long-standing tradition of serving in the Navy our nation needs. "I joined the Navy for the opportunity to serve and the opportunities that come with serving that you can't get access to in the civilian world," said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said they are proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times. "Having graduated from the Academy is my proudest accomplishment," said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is playing an important part in America's focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
"Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships," said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. "Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy's most relied upon capital assets, Gonzalez and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. Serving with the Navy, Gonzalez is learning about being a more respectable leader, sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
"Serving in the Navy means a life lived of service and sacrifice," said Gonzalez.
