The U.S. Navy has announced that Capt. Howard B. Markle II will relieve Capt. Stephen F. Williamson to become the 49th commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in July 2015.
Most recently serving as the Operations Officer, and before that the Production Resources Officer, at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, Markle, an Engineering Duty Officer, comes to PSNS & IMF with a depth of knowledge and experience in naval maintenance, ready to lead the Command.
“It is an honor to be selected to lead such a high performing team of ship maintenance experts,” said Markle. “I look forward to working alongside them as we face the future challenges and opportunities.”
Markle, a native of Pennsylvania, enlisted in the Navy in 1986, was selected for an enlisted commissioning program and was commissioned in 1993. He has a bachelor degree in nuclear engineering from Pennsylvania State University, a master of science in mechanical engineering, and a mechanical engineer degree as well as completion of the Total Ship Systems Engineering program from the Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, Calif.
Additionally, he holds a Professional Engineers License in mechanical engineering from the state of California.
In his naval career, Markle completed afloat tours on USS Klakring (FFG 42) and USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730), and completed a tour as Chief Engineer on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during two Fifth Fleet Deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as completing a tour as an Individual Augmentee in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His several ashore commands as an Engineering Duty Officer include assignments at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility as a Deputy and Project Superintendent, Ship Safety Officer, Work Integration Manager and Shipyard Docking Officer.
Additionally, he served tours with Naval Sea Systems Command as the Director, Shipyard Availability Performance Branch and Shipyard Operations Division; and Factory Manager in the Submarine In-Service Program Office. At Norfolk Naval Shipyard, he served as Deputy Operations Officer and Deputy Project Superintendent on three availabilities.
Williamson has served as Commander, PSNS & IMF, since June 2012. His next duty assignment has not yet been announced.
