San Diego 'Fuelies' named API Fuels Personnel of the Year
4/27/2011
by Candice Villarreal, Naval Supply Systems Command Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (NNS) -- Employees at Naval Supply Systems Command's Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) San Diego, Calif., were named Fuels Personnel of the Year for 2010 by the American Petroleum Institute (API) April 19.

Lt. Cmdr. Frank Kim, winner for the Navy officer category, and Stephen Frey, Navy civilian winner, are both assigned to the command's Code 700 fuel department aboard Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego.

The awards are presented annually under API sponsorship for outstanding performance and contributions to the fuels mission and excellence in fuel management. The API is an internationally recognized trade organization that sets standards and provides direction for all aspects of the petroleum industry.

"Lt. Cmdr. Kim and Mr. Frey are two critical components of our fuel team, and we enjoy many successes because of what they contribute to our mission every day," said Capt. David Pimpo, FISC San Diego commanding officer. "Their sweep of their award category speaks volumes about not only their exceptional levels of skill and expertise, but also about their dedication to what they do for our Navy's mission."

FISC San Diego claimed two of four of the awards for individuals in the Navy category.

Kim serves as the Southwest regional fuel officer for the command who set himself apart from the competition by integrating fuel operations at six outlying air stations in the region and facilitating a $78 million project to replace an aging fuel pier.

"I'm really humbled by this recognition and the award," Kim said. "It's just one of those things, where you get so wrapped-up in doing something for a living, so used to upholding our military's standards, that you really forget to step back and look at the big picture and what you've accomplished. It's very nice that the API has chosen to highlight us as professionals in the industry."

Frey, fuel department director, is well known as an invaluable subject matter expert and was instrumental in developing and executing a jet fuel support solution that saved $1.3 million and eliminated the need for more than 1,228 truck deliveries.

Both manage a 200-acre facility with a storage capacity of more than 50 million gallons of fuel, in addition to a marine terminal and two intra-state pipelines. They also manage all assets, manpower and material resources for a bulk fuel supply point that processes about 250 million gallons of fuel products each year and played pivotal roles in a $195 million military construction project to renovate the facility.

The FISC San Diego "fuel farm" is charged with proper storage and distribution of fuel to meet Navy missions.

"The things these men are doing at our fuel farm involve an unbelievable amount of technical precision and professional knowledge, yet they continue to hit the nail on the head, day in and day out," Pimpo said. "I am extremely proud to have such a fine team on board."

FISC San Diego, one of seven supply centers under Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS), provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Joint and Allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

COMFISCS comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations worldwide. A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., COMFISCS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.