NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Few were surprised when Capt. John Feeney won the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) 2012 T. Michael Fish Quality of Worklife Award.

Distributed during the 13th annual NAVAIR Commander’s National Awards ceremony June 27 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the achievement recognizes excellence in a leader who changes the workplace to enhance efficiency while significantly improving the quality of worklife for NAVAIR civilian and military employees.

The former program manager for Naval Aviation Training Systems (PMA-205), Feeney managed more than 800 military, civilian and contract personnel and was responsible for the procurement and life-cycle support of 14 General Training programs from June 2010 to June 2013.

In addition to developing and testing more than 800 simulators for the Navy and Marine Corps, Feeney supported the cost, schedule and performance accountability for 27 type/model aircraft training platforms. His daily workload also encompassed the acquisition support and life-cycle management of 32 program management offices, curriculum and simulator-based training conducted in naval school houses and training air wings.

Despite the breadth and scope of his program’s mission, Feeney made balancing a heavy workload as important as the welfare of his employees — a task he found both rewarding and challenging, he said.

“Taking care of our people, giving them room to grow and to strive and excel at their jobs, is very important,” Feeney said. “At PMA-205, there is a tremendous team of professionals making that happen every day. Although this is an individual award, there are 778 people behind me making this happen.”

As cited in the award, “Feeney developed a program metrics visual, created a program mission and vision, established processes and training, and improved overall program morale through team events. He positively changed the culture through inspired leadership, communication and organizational improvements.”

Fish, the award’s namesake, was the head of NAVAIR’s Research and Engineering Staff Office and served as a mentor for the command’s Engineer and Scientist Development Program, which nurtures the corps of entry-level professionals interested in becoming civilian employees in the Navy’s acquisition workforce.

Keith Sanders, assistant commander for Acquisition (AIR 1.0), which oversees PMA-205, worked with Fish. He said there are clear similarities between the two leaders.

“Mike was an inspiring leader,” Sanders said. “He laid the groundwork for innovative enhancements for the quality of worklife of NAVAIR’s employees. He was known for his commitment and sensitivity when it came to work-life balance for his subordinates and teammates. Capt. Feeney embodies that same leadership style, creating a work atmosphere where people are enthusiastic and dedicated to their craft. He has built a problem-solving culture among the ranks.”

Feeney ended his tenure as the PMA-205 program manager during a change of command ceremony June 27. He now serves as the military director for NAVAIR’s Airworthiness Office (AIR-4.0P).