KEYPORT – Cmdr. Erik Neal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Keyport, was recognized as a Disability Champion at the 2012 Disability Matters Awards in Newark, N.J., April 18.

This is the first year that the Disability Champion award has been given.

Neal stood out in the Navy community for his work helping dozens of Wounded Warriors find employment at NUWC Keyport and other Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) commands. This has been beneficial not only for Wounded Warriors and their families, but for the commands that hire former military personnel who bring their experience, knowledge and commitment to the federal workplace.

Neal has worked extensively with Department of Defense human resources professionals to find opportunities for interns and those being discharged. Neal also located internship opportunities for soldiers in the Warrior Transition Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.