BELOIT, WI (June 27, 2017) – Last Wednesday, June 21st, Fairbanks Morse hosted USCG Vice Commandant, Admiral Charles Michel in Beloit, WI. The purpose of the visit was to brief Admiral Michel on the company and to show him the manufacturing line that will proudly be building the engines that will power the Coast Guard’s newly awarded Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC) for decades to come. Admiral Michel is the highest ranking officer of the US Armed Forces to visit Fairbanks Morse in modern history.
Admiral Michel took a tour of the facilities and met with Fairbanks Morse employees. His tour included a briefing on the company’s strategy for growth as well as an update on Fairbanks Morse research and development efforts. The Trident OP™ is the next generation opposed-piston engine with class-leading fuel efficiency. The Trident OP is scheduled to be unveiled at Power-Gen International in December of 2017.
“We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the Vice Commandant to pay us this visit,” said Deepak Navnith, VP of Operations at Fairbanks Morse. “We are honored to have had the opportunity to host 30th Vice Commandant Admiral Charles Michel in our Beloit facility.”
Fairbanks Morse has a long and proud partnership with the US Coast Guard, having made the very successful and reliable Opposed-Piston engines on the 378’ Hugh Endurance Cutters (WMEC) and the 140’ Icebreaking Tugs (WTGB). The recently awarded OPC program is the first time in 30 years that Fairbanks Morse has sold a new engine into the Coast Guard.
About Admiral Michel
Admiral Charles Michel assumed the duties as the 30th Vice Commandant on August 6, 2015. As the Vice Service Chief and Chief Operating Officer, Admiral Michel executes the Commandant's Strategic Intent, manages internal organizational governance and serves as the Component Acquisition Executive.
Prior to this appointment, Admiral Michel served as the Deputy Commandant for Operations, responsible for establishing and providing operational strategy, policy, guidance and resources to meet national priorities for U.S. Coast Guard missions, programs and services.
His previous flag officer assignments include Deputy Commander, U. S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area; Director, Joint Interagency Task Force South; Military Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security; and Director for Governmental and Public Affairs, U. S. Coast Guard.
Tours of duty afloat included serving as Commanding Officer, USCGC RESOLUTE; as Executive Officer, USCGC DAUNTLESS; as Commanding Officer, USCGC CAPE CURRENT; and as Deck Watch Officer, USCGC DECISIVE. Admiral Michel also served as Chief of the Office of Maritime and International Law, Washington, DC; Staff Attorney, Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, Louisiana; head of the Operations Division, Office of Maritime and International Law, Washington, DC; and as Legislative Counsel for the Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs, Washington, DC.
A native of Brandon, Florida, he graduated from the U. S. Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering (with high honors) in 1985. In 1992, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law as the salutatorian, receiving membership in the Order of the Coif.
Admiral Michel has been awarded the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal and also the Distinguished Service Medal of the Colombian Navy. Admiral Michel was the American Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year for the Coast Guard in 1995, the Judge Advocate’s Association Career Armed Services Attorney of the Year for the Coast Guard in 2000, and is currently a member of the Florida Bar. On May 24, 2016, he became the first four-star Vice Commandant in Coast Guard history and also the first career judge advocate in any of the Armed Forces to achieve four-star rank.
About Fairbanks Morse Engine
Fairbanks Morse is the critical power solutions expert – a strategic partner and a trusted source for application-specific, fuel-flexible power systems that deliver optimal performance in mission critical applications. These applications include power generation -- base load and standby power plants, and emergency back-up power for nuclear plants; and ship propulsion and shipboard power for the United States Navy and Coast Guard and commercial vessels. Fairbanks Morse reliable engine drive solutions also can be found in a wide range of municipal, institutional and industrial applications. More information is available at www.fairbanksmorse.com.
About EnPro Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPO)
EnPro Industries, Inc. is a leader in sealing products, metal polymer and filament wound bearings, components and service for reciprocating compressors, diesel and dual-fuel engines and other engineered products for use in critical applications by industries worldwide. For more information about EnPro, visit www.enproindustries.com