For more than 10 year, Naval Station Everett has been referred to as “The Sailor’s Choice.”

Thursday, Dec. 9, the city of Everett Chamber of Commerce (COC) declared the station as Everett’s choice.

At the city’s 2004 Night of Stars annual awards gala, the COC named NAVSTA Everett the Employer of the Year.

Since the facility opened on April 8, 1994, it has become an integral part of the local community. It’s currently the second largest employer in Snohomish County and employs more than 6,300 Sailors and civilian employees with a payroll that exceeds $180 million.

“I think the award demonstrates the standing Naval Station Everett has with our community,” said NAVSTA Everett Executive Offcier, Cmdr. Steven McLaughlin.  “It shows the partnership between the city, local businesses, and the Sailors and employees from the station.”

“We love having Naval Station Everett here. We want it here. And more importantly, the people who serve, both military and civilian, are amazing contributors to the community,” said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash. “I think the award from the chamber is in recognition for the station’s commitment and contribution to the Everett community.”

Indeed a city of Everett study claims that NAVSTA Everett accounts for 2.8 percent of jobs in Snohomish County, second only to Boeing.

But besides healthy employment numbers, NAVSTA Everett is also very active throughout the local community. Every year, hundreds of Sailors and station employees take part in volunteer events throughout the county. 

In just the past year station personnel took part in more than 50 volunteer projects that exceeded 1,400 total man-hours. 

“Our Sailors have taken part in projects ranging from well known programs like Habitat for Humanity to simply helping an elderly woman move into a retirement home,” said NAVSTA Everett Public Affairs Officer, Jeanie Kitchens. “The Sailors consider Everett their home and they’re often eager to make their home even better.”

Perhaps most telling is the recent arrival of the newly homeported guided missile destroyer, USS Momsen (DDG 92)

More than a third of the ship’s crew is made up of Sailors who previously served on board Everett-based ships or commands. These Sailors, eager to return to the city they love, took orders to the ship while it was being constructed because they knew it would eventually be homeported in Everett.

Pat McClain, Everett’s director of governmental affairs, says this isn’t the first time the station has received such recognition.

“This is the second time the station has received an award like this,” he said.  “In 1999, Snohomish County honored the station with Employer of the Year.”

“I think the award represents the quality the station has brought to the community,” said McClain. “Judging by the stellar way it treats its employees and the way it responds and interacts with the community, the station has shown itself to be a class act and we’re certainly thankful for that.”