Christopher Hills of Greenville has been awarded the Department of the Navy Civilian Service Commendation Medal for his leadership in launching a major modernization effort for the U.S. Navy.
Hills developed and executed the strategy to replace the Navy’s largest and most critical business system while serving as a civilian with Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic. He said the award recognizes the hard work required to build consensus for one of the Navy’s most significant modernization initiatives. Hills added that he is proud to have turned the concept into a clear, executable plan for future leaders.
A 1989 graduate of Mauldin High School, Hills joined the civil service 16 years ago. He earned degrees from USC Upstate and Xavier University, and in 2023, completed a second master’s degree in cybersecurity engineering from the University of Delaware. Full press release below:
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MILLINGTON, Tenn. — Christopher Hills, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, was recently awarded the Department of the Navy Civilian Service Commendation Medal for developing and executing the strategy to launch the Navy enterprise resource planning plus modernization effort while serving as a civilian with Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic.
“This award represents recognition of exceptionally hard work to build consensus and secure agreement for one of the most significant modernization efforts in the Navy, the replacement of its largest and most critical business system,” Hills said. “I am proud to be recognized not only for bringing this effort from concept into reality, but for establishing a clear, executable approach that positions my successors to deliver a transformational improvement for the Navy well into the future.”
Hills, a 1989 graduate of Mauldin High School, joined the civil service 16 years ago. Additionally, Hills earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from the University of South Carolina Upstate in 1996, a master’s degree in business administration from Xavier University in 2005, and a second master’s degree in cybersecurity engineering from the University of Delaware in 2023.
As a part of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NIWC Atlantic provides systems engineering and acquisition to deliver information warfare capabilities to the naval, joint and national warfighter through the acquisition, development, integration, production, test, deployment, and sustainment of interoperable command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, cyber and information technology capabilities.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Hills can take pride in serving America through civil service.