MSEM alum Niles Pierson (’23) has been named the 2026 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year. The US Coast Guard recognized Pierson for his work on the infrastructure at Cape May, the Coast Guard’s sole boot camp facility, including mold mitigation and addressing HVAC failures in 70 housing units; heading a $3 million HVAC design project; and a large modernization program for new barracks and facilities. The Coast Guard also recognized Pierson for his volunteer work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Habitat for Humanity, and other non-profit organizations. The Federal Engineer of the Year (FEYA) Award recognizes the innovation and service of federal engineers. Read more about the top ten finalists here.
We spoke with Niles, who is a licensed professional engineer and public works director with the Coast Guard, about this honor and his work at Cape May.
Can you tell us a little about the impact of the work for which you were recognized? What does it mean to you to be involved in these projects?
It’s an extremely exciting time to be in the Coast Guard, especially as an engineer. The Coast Guard is undergoing some major organizational changes through the Force Design 2028 initiative that are growing our service and increasing our operational effectiveness. One of the exciting changes has been a renewed investment in our infrastructure, and we’re seeing a direct impact on that investment here in Cape May. Over the next few years, we’re going to be building new barracks buildings, a new training facility, a new galley, and a new fire department. It’s an honor to be a part of this growth and to do it alongside our amazing facility engineering and command team here in Cape May. The work that we’re doing is going to help grow our service, create a world-class recruit training center, and create an unmatched return on investment for the American people.
How did your time in the MSEM program contribute to your success in this role?
My experience in the MSEM program has played a big role in my time here in Cape May. The MSEM program challenged me and made me more “comfortable being uncomfortable” when it came to public speaking, networking, and developing solutions to complex engineering and business-related problems. The MSEM program also challenged me to be a better leader and to work with classmates with a broad range of previous experiences and backgrounds. These experiences have directly contributed to our facility engineering team’s success in Cape May.
How does it feel to be recognized by the Coast Guard in this way?
It’s an honor, and I’m grateful to my command for submitting the nomination for me. There has never been a Coast Guard winner of the Federal Engineer of the Year award, so I’m hoping to be able to take that home for our service. I’m very thankful for the amazing team that we have here in Cape May – we’ve faced a lot of challenges together over the past two years with many more upcoming. Semper Paratus! Go JHU!