NAVFAC EURAFCENT Holds Change of Command

Capt. Joseph D. Harder III relieved Capt. Jeffrey J. Kilian as commanding officer, NAVFAC EURAFCENT.

Capt. Kilian provided visionary leadership to over 1,300 military, civil service and local national employees from August 2019 to May 2021, executing a record $2 billion volume of work during a period of complex operations and disruptions from the global pandemic. He directed execution of military construction, base operating support contracts and real property leases at eight installations across three continents for Navy, Joint, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization commands. Under his leadership, NAVFAC established a new Unit of Action to enable integration of Base Operating Support services in Somalia, deftly balancing inter-service acquisition capabilities within the Africa Command and forging partnerships with Army and Navy component commands and contracting commands. Capt. Kilian’s next assignment is the Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command in Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey, Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic, offered a virtual keynote address from his office in Norfolk, VA. He praised Kilian for his overwhelming success in command in spite of having to execute in the midst of a pandemic. 
“Under your leadership, the NAVFAC EURAFCENT team navigated massive workload increases, major organizational change and the challenges of a global pandemic,” VanderLey observed how NAVFAC EURAFCENT was the first command in his Area of Operations to feel the effects of COVID.
“The way this team reacted and flexed served as the model for how we responded in CONUS.” he said. “I wish you the best of luck as you assume your position as the NAVFAC Chief of Staff and know that your influence will be felt all across the NAVFAC team.”

Capt. Kilian was relieved by Capt. Joseph Harder who assumes command following two years serving as the Operations Officer for NAVFAC EURAFCENT. A Georgia Tech graduate, Harder earned a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Colorado-Boulder and completed Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows program in 2021.

Capt. Harder’s remarks briefly addressed the military and civilian professionals of NAVFAC EURAFCENT, many of whom he worked closely with serving as the Operations Officer.

“Thank you for your support as I have served with you for the past two years. You have convinced me of your competence and your commitment to deliver the mission,” said Harder. “To the Host National workforce throughout the region: You truly are the stalwarts of NAVFAC EURAFCENT who see Commanding Officers pass through every two years, thank you for your commitment and continued support. To the entire team, I am grateful for the opportunity to be your Commanding Officer and I look forward to what is in our future.”

“I am energized as I start my next adventure at NAVFAC EURAFCENT, as I acknowledge the immense responsibility of commanding this organization, I consider it a privilege to be granted that authority and accountability. You will get my best effort and full commitment.”

NAVFAC EURAFCENT executes approximately $1.5 billion per year in construction, professional engineering and facilities services for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and NATO commands in countries throughout Europe, Africa and Central Command where the Navy is the DoD lead agent for military construction.