Shipyard Commander Honored

Capt. Clarke Orzalli, Commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, was recently selected to receive the Bremerton,(Wash.) Area Chamber of Commerce's highest recognition - the Hyas Tyee award. Orzalli's selection was based on his significant leadership position, outstanding community/civic outreach and being an exemplary role model for others.

"I am extremely humbled by this award and to be recognized with community leaders such as Mayor Cary Bozeman, a man of great vision and strong leadership, is a tremendous honor," said Orzalli at the standing-room only awards ceremony. "I am very proud to accept the award that represents the great work members of the PSNS & IMF team do in our community. I will continue to work hard to justify the trust bestowed on me with this award -- to live up to the expectation of being a role model for others."

Orzalli focused on good stewardship and succeeded, according to Silvia Klatman, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. "Captain Orzalli has spoken about how Bremerton and Kitsap County 'embrace' the Navy," she said. "The feeling is definitely mutual. The Navy embraces our community and Capt. Orzalli has shown time and time again that he believes in being a good neighbor, a good citizen, a good friend. Capt. Orzalli's vision and leadership has helped transform this 'Navy Town' into a 'Navy Community'."

Dave Johnson, CEO of Westsound Bank and president of the Chamber Board of Directors, thanked Orzalli for his outstanding community outreach. "Capt. Orzalli has had a tremendous impact on our community. He has been actively involved in Bremerton's redevelopment efforts and works to ensure that the Navy continues to be a good neighbor," he said. "Captain Orzalli's unique vision is evident in a multitude of community outreach efforts and as well as keeping business and civic leaders apprised of the Navy's transformation and consolidation goals."

The concept of this award grew out of a meeting of the Chamber's Naval Affairs Committee (now the Military Affairs Committee) in 1949 just prior to Admiral E.W. Sylvester's transfer from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The Committee's discussion centered on an appropriate form of recognition to express the Chamber's appreciation for Admiral Sylvester's civic service to the community. The Chamber's first Hyas Tyee award was presented to Admiral Sylvester on January 3, 1950.

In addition to the Military category of the award, the business category went to Tim Ryan of Ryan Construction for his community work. The civic award was shared by men involved with Bremerton's revitalization, including Mayor Cary Bozeman and Gary Sexton of the city of Bremerton; Norm McLaughlin and Steve Anderson of Kitsap Consolidated Housing; and Dick Hayes of Kitsap Transit.

The phrase "Hyas Tyee" is from a hybrid Native American language called Chinook, which was used by local Native Americans to communicate with early fur traders and white settlers. It means "Big Chief."

Previous Hyas Tyee award recipients include former Sen. Henry M. Jackson, NASA astronaut Cmdr. Richard F. Gordon and Rep. Norm Dicks.

(Source: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Public Affairs)